Black cohosh – hot flashes, insomnia, irritability, vaginal dryness, prolapsed uterus and bladder, vaginal and uterine atrophy, phytoestrogen effects.

Motherwort – palpitations, hot flashes, sloughing of the lining, phytoestrogen effects.

Wild Yam – muscle and menstrual cramps, prevents bone loss, regulates moods (PMS, depression).

Vitex – water retention, depression, uterine fibroids, breast lumps, menstrual flooding, skin breakouts.

Dang Gui – nourishes and builds blood, hot flashes, irregular cycle, dry vagina.

Nettles – water retention, weight gain, strengthens bones (high in calcium and other minerals).

Black haw – menstrual cramps and pain, flooding or excessive bleeding.

Passionflower – Insomnia, anxiety, nervous tension.

Ginseng – tiredness, poor memory and concentration, anxiety, insomnia (from deficiency), low libido.

Epimedium – hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness; tonifies yin and yang.

These herbs can be tried separately or in combination. Desired results can take about two to three months. Many women find that these natural approaches provide relief to their symptoms, or at least enough to avoid pharmaceuticals, without the risks and side effects of conventional treatments.

These herbs can be found at major health food stores or online at Herb Pharm, Herbalist & Alchemist as well as Mountain Rose Herbs. If after trying a few of the herbs, individuals are still not getting relief, it means that the chosen herbs are not exactly right for the condition, or it requires the assistance of a clinical herbalist.

Carmen Portner is a clinical herbalist and owner of Holistic Harmony, which specializes in personalized herbal solutions. For more information, call 239-688-4585 or visit HolisticHarmonyllc.com.