Tag Archives: hot flashes

Phytotherapy: a safe and effective solution for hormonal help

Published May, 2011
Update Sept, 2019-  at end

Many women using synthetic hormones stopped when the Nurse’s Initiative published the negative side effects. Now more women use natural treatments to help with hormonal challenges, ranging from acne to weight gain and hot flashes.

Phytotherapy is the use of plants, either from food or herbs, for healing purposes. Phytotherapy is a wonderful alternative for hormonal balance because it works with your body to give you what you need, and has a proven track record of safety and efficacy.

Both women and men have hormone receptor cells that can be filled (like a key fitting into a lock) in several ways: EDC’s: endocrine disruptors produced by industrial by-products; xenoestrogens: prevalent in plastics, household, personal care products, fertilizers, pesticides; our body’s own hormones, AND plant precursors to hormones, or phytohormones.

The healthiest choice when our own hormones are out of balance is to use phytohormones to fill our natural hormone receptor sites, so that the toxic forms have no sites available, and will be eliminated via liver, kidneys, lymph and bowel.

One example is Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)(US). This herb acts positively to reduce hot flashes, in addition to its long historical uses as an antidote for snake bites, fevers, phlegm, and a tonic for the central nervous system. Many women have had exceptional relief from hot flashes and night sweats with a standardized formulation of Black Cohosh combined with Dong Quai. This formula, known as FE (Flash Ease) can work within the week, without the negative side effects inherent in drugs.

Maca (Lepidium meyinii) is another herb that has hit the American market in the last 10 years. To learn more about these and other natural aids for overall female hormonal health, join us for fun and informative dinner classes in Duncan. The next class will deal with Hormones for both Women and Men. This $10 investment can make a difference in your life! We’ll discuss Men’s health,  Monday June 13th. Call 250-748-6802 to register.

You can also learn everything you ever wanted to know about herbs that grow in the Cowichan Valley, in our Annual Herbal Intensives.

Also be sure to understand the more about the phyto hormones from soy, in our article: The Soy Controversy  and Soy and Breast Cancer .

UPDATE September 16, 2019

There are other herbs that one may have unwarranted warnings due to the general misunderstanding about the different  human interactions  of phyto hormones, human hormones, pharmaceutical hormones and environmental, toxic hormones (xenohormones) such as xenoestrogens mentioned above.

Some more common herbs that carry warnings are: licorice, red raspberry, dong quai, ginsengs, wild yam, red clover, chaste-tree berry,  evening primrose, ginkgo and saw palmetto.

Brassinosteroids (BS) are natural low-molecular-mass bioregulators, i.e., plant hormones that are present in all vegetable matter and possess growth-modulating and adaptogenic activity. Many common foods including plum, pear, apple grape berries, beans, sprouts, cabbage, spinaches, soybeans, grains, hops, garlic, onion would also be contra-indicated if one followed this (il)logic.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine recently published a summary stating that they have found no credence to the suggestion that soy may be harmful to human health. See my article on Soy Controversy from 2010 that supports this finding.

You may also want to refer to Soy and Breast Cancer .

These plants all have their benefits, so do not be scared off by medical warnings that are based on biochemical mis-information.

© Lorene Benoit, BEd, MHH, CHC, CI, CRA.

Master Holistic Health, Certified Herbal Consultant, Educator author of The Paw Paw Program, A Christopher Columbus Approach to Cancer……

Contacts:

Phone: 250-748-6802

Email:      Lorene@NaturalPathRemedies.com   or   TakeTheNaturalPath@gmail.com

Website Contact: http://www.naturalpathremedies.com/blog/contact/

Q&A Hot Flashes and Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla)

Question:

Thanks again for sharing the lovely photo of you and your grandson!

On another note, I wonder what you might know about Alchemilla Vulgaris (Lady’s Mantle) to treat hot flashes – they’ve been coming and going. My friend gave me a small bottle with extract. I’ve done quite a bit of research – including on your site – where nothing came up, but I can’t seem to figure out whether it’s really worth trying it out… especially since I’ve been told by quite a few people that my liver is weak and needs more support (I’m starting ginger compresses for that) and I read that alchemilla may have deleterious effects on my liver. So confusing! Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!  A

Answer:

You are welcome….Grandson Holt  is a charmer and a healthy herbal baby!
Re: your question:
Lady’s Mantle is a wonderful herb; I don’t believe it is bad for the liver, (would like to see that research!), but it is also not my first choice for hot flashes, which I do feel ARE related to liver health.

 
Alchemilla vulgaris  works more with kidney, fluid energy. I have used this herb for conditions like vaginal discharge, and menstrual flooding as it has drying, toning, strengthening properties. I have made boluses for vaginal insertion, as well as used tincture with good results. As well as for purulent wound healing.
 
Sorry I just have not had time to enter much of my collected articles on individual herbs – maybe a retirement project? In my experience, Matthew Wood, Rosemary Gladstar  or Susun Weed would be reliable sources for herbal info –  they probably all have good websites.
 
Ginger on the other hand, is definitely good for liver, and as a stimulant herb, can be good for cooling, and is anti-inflammatory. The other two herbs I rely on for hot flashes are Black Cohosh, Cimicifuga racemosa,  and Dong Quai,  Angelica sinensis. I use these in combination called Flash Ease.
 
Also there is an excellent Chinese formula which works on balancing hormones and supporting liver function. As I know you are in Bali and cannot access many of the formulas I use, here are links for these products in N.A. .  Liver Balance (US) and    BP-C (CA).
 
You may be able to find similar formulas using these herb in Bali. If you can find a local herbalist, she or he may know local herbs which will be well suited to where you are presently living.  If not, let me know if anyone coming to visit wants me to order for you to bring . Shipping to Bali might be reasonable, if capsules were taken out of the bottle and sent via any special way you might know.
 
Other simple techniques for hot flashes are drinking lots of lemon in water, very cooling; wetting your hair before you go to bed, using a cold cloth. or ice pack during night, uncovering your feet….. but liver and hormonal balance are the biggies for sure.
 
If you wish more detail, feel free to book a follow-up consultation.
 
You may find more tips in these articles on website , which have Menopause tags:

http://www.naturalpathremedies.com/blog/?s=menopause . (Found via Search bar in top right corner of Research Blog. )

 
All the best – you have managed lots of healing miracles, including your amazing writing of the Healing Pilgrimage on the El Camino, so trust you will do well with this.

 

Hormones Make You Happy

 

One of my early teachers was Dr. Versendaal, a chiropractic doctor from whom I learned specialized muscle testing called Contact Reflex Analysis. He said, “Hormones are what make us happy”.

 

Hormones play such an important role in the health of all animals; in their miniscule amounts they have huge effects. They determine our sexual traits, yet both sexes need the same hormones to function; just in differing amounts. Hormones are secreted by endocrine glands in the human body. From the top down these are:  pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid thymus, pancreas, adrenals ovaries/testes. Hormones are also secreted from fat cells and the colon.

 

Yes, the colon! Did you know that more serotonin is produced in  the colon than in the brain? Instead of anti-depressants, more people could be happier and healthier to ensure their colon is clean and working daily, rather than spending billions on damaging chemical anti-depressants.

 

To give you an idea of their complexity, the adrenal glands are responsible for secreting over 50 different hormones.  Besides their known function of dealing with stress, adrenal hormones also are responsible for fat storage and breakdown, insulin transport, pH balance, allergic response, fluid and mineral balance, temperature control, the list goes on.

 

Hormonal imbalance can manifest as teenage acne, conception problems, miscarriages, PMS, menopause and andropause discomfort, depression, hypo or hyper thyroidism, breast lumps and tenderness, hair loss and mood swings, to name a few.

 

We may ask why present day society is dealing with so many challenges with hormonal balance? Industrial by-products known as endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDC’s) have been on a steady increase in our society. These toxic mimickers have similar structures which can bind with our natural hormone receptors, wreaking havoc on our metabolism. Offenders occur in plastics, household and personal care products, fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals. Our bodies contain up to 148 synthetic chemicals according to CDC analysis 2005. As the number of chemicals increases annually, this amount has likely doubled by 2014. The National Toxicology Program 2012 Report lists 64 Known Human Carcinogens (cause cancer), including Aflatoxin (found in improperly dried grains, corn, peanuts, some cow milk, rancid oils, cosmetics), Formaldehyde (most vaccines),   Tamoxifen and XRays (medical cancer treatments).  To avoid these one must make informed choices for every purchase or treatment you choose.

 

On the positive side, we can choose to include phytohormones, which are plant based hormonal replacements and precursors. They too can fill our natural hormone receptor sites, but with healthy, gentler forms that prevent the more toxic forms from binding.  These can be a boon to our health, as opposed to the detrimental effects of EDCs and xenohormones.

 

Just one example is Maca, Lepidium meyenii, also known as Peruvian Ginseng. As with all plants, it does not contain hormones, (only animals produce hormones), but acts positively on the hormonal system of both males and females. A four month study using males aged  22 – 44 stated that Maca increased semen volume and total sperm count remarkably. Maca stimulates the glands so they produce needed hormones. Maca has the ability to balance the hypothalamus and pituitary glands promoting healthy adrenal, ovary and testes function. Maca is widely used to balance symptoms of menstruation and menopause such as hot flashes, depression, vaginal dryness and irritability. It helps by regulating estrogen and androgen receptor sites. As far as safety, some Peruvian women take Maca from the age of three. These women are very powerful, even the elderly. Men use Maca as a safer alternative to Viagra, with the benefits and none of the dangers.

 

For hot flashes, a formula called Flash Ease combines the benefits of Black Cohosh and Dong Quai. As a concentrated timed release formula, it is very effective. If you are not getting control of you hot flashes after trying this at 2 per day for 1 bottle, get in touch – we can determine what WILL work for you!

All hormonal challenges can also be helped by following healthier lifestyle recommendations as suggested in Lorene Benoit’s Book:

The Paw Paw Program – The “Christopher Columbus” Approach to Cancer – The World IS Round and Cancer CAN Be Treated Naturally.

To order any of the professional quality herbs or supplements that we use in our practice, please contact us directly for both discount prices and our support. We have trained practitioners to support you; NOT available if you order from Amazon for same price.

Email: Lorene@NaturalPathRemedies.com  OR Phone: 250-748-6802

There is no fee for setting up account or placing orders, and we are here to serve you, wherever you are located in the world!

United States:   www.TakeTheNaturalPath.myNSP.com  – choose US at top of screen   Phone NSP 1-800-453-1422 and use sponsor #1143615  to become Premium member –  no fee, 20-25% discount, free shipping, no obligation and our support.

Canada www.TakeTheNaturalPath.myNSP.com  –   or phone 1-877-257-4372 , and use Canada sponsor #1143615  to become Preferred Customer. If you are looking to start a business helping others, contact Lorene Benoit for training.

Questions and answers: Menopause and Calcium versus Magnesium intake

We have added a category to our blog for general questions and answers.

Anytime there is something we can help with, please add your question to this category.

We have started with these two questions that came in via email.

Menopause

Question/from CW:

My co-worker at work is experiencing what I think is peri-menopause but quite extreme.  Her heart is pounding (out of her chest as she puts it), insides burning up and very weak…lasts a long time, like at least 20 min the last one….
She is going to make an appt with her doctor but I’m thinking if it is hormonal that Maca may be a good one to balance her hormones.  What do you think?  Any other suggestions as you know more about NSP products for that than I do.  She is on blood pressure meds and on NSP Blood Pressurex and does smoke.  She isn’t overweight and has been exercising this last year.

Answer:

Hi CW,

Yes your suggestion of Maca is good as a hormonal balancer, but I would also think from the description you are giving that this is how hot flashes affect her, so I would recommend FE in addition. As it is time release, she only needs 1 am and 1 pm until she notices improvement, then can may decrease to 1 per day.

Personally I played with these dosages over a period of several years – more when needed, less when not and it worked wonders. Please get back to us if to let us know how she is doing, once on the program. Of course all other lifestyle improvements, such as covered in my book The Paw Paw Program need to be followed.

 

Heart attack and Stroke

Question re: Cal-Mag intake

I read,  “new findings now suggest that calcium supplementation (greater than 1000mg/day) may modestly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Although more research needs to be done in this area, it is recommended that individuals meet their calcium requirements from dietary sources…first and foremost, seeking individualized recommendations from your doctor is recommended…”

Answer:

Yes I agree with part of this – too much Calcium is not a good thing. I always try to balance it with at least same milligrams  of Magnesium, or more if any constipation. NSP”s Calcium (in liquid form) includes 200mg Magnesium. There are  also pill combinations of Calcium and Magnesium in Cal – Mag Plus D and Calcium & Magnesium SynerPro . More research shows that Mag. is also essential for bone strength, and Calcium. has been overrated. And yes, we can get lots from food, if our digestion is working. As far as getting individualized recommendation from a doctor? As most medical doctors study nutrition less than 10 hours in 10 years, I think you would do better with continuing your own research or contacting an expert who works with natural health and supplementation, such as you have just done.