Wellness article index >> No More Hot Flashes! An estimated forty million American women are now 50, the average age of menopause onset, and this number is being increased by one approximately every eight seconds. So it's not surprising that there's a lot of discussion about whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) causes breast cancer or whether natural hormone creams are effective. The average woman experiencing the onset of menopause can get lost in all the controversies -- especially if she's already losing her normal composure because of distressing hot flashes and night sweats. No one has expressed or resolved this dilemma better than award-winning author Cathy Luchetti. She wrote The Hot Flash Cookbook (Chronicle Books, 1997) to share her well- researched and tested nutritional solutions for relief of menopausal symptoms. When asked why she researched the alternatives to conventional HRT, Luchetti said, "I couldn't accept the very idea of HRT. I've never believed in pill-popping or other synthetic approaches to health. Yet I had to do something, because I felt as if my once- dependable body and upbeat attitude were being chiseled away, bit by bit. And being a historian, I kept recalling all the Victorian stories of menopause that ended with the woman becoming 'unhinged by the change of life.' I refused to accept that as my fate." Instead, veteran researcher Luchetti hit the libraries and found a body of literature in medical journals regarding the use of plants with natural estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects that balance and augment the body's hormone levels. Her guide to her own health and well-being during menopause then took form in the cookbook. You'll find that this book contains much more than recipes, including information about the safe use of herbal teas to reduce hot flashes. "Flaxseed and tofu have amazing properties," Luchetti says. "After three weeks of including these in my daily diet, my hot flashes were gone. For me, it worked to take about a spoonful of ground-up flaxseed and an ounce of tofu every day. And the benefits for the skin are miraculous. These foods increase blood flow and oxygen, making skin feel youthful and full of health." Physicians who specialize in women's health affirm Luchetti's primary nutritional recommendations of soy foods and flaxseed. Luchetti adds, "Whichever combinations of foods and herbs you choose to try for hot- flash relief, you should avoid certain foods if you can -- especially spicy foods, caffeine, and sweets. Drinking alcohol can also trigger hot flashes. Every woman is different and needs to discover for herself which foods and supplements work best." If you're wondering how tasty Luchetti's recipes are, one reviewer at amazon.com pointed out that "recipes like Orange-Fennel Refresco, Beans and Bitter Greens, Sea Bass Miso, and Calico Chicken with Ginger go beyond the hot flash patrol and into the larger realm of healthful, enjoyable eating." Understandably, some women whose internal thermostat has been seized by the hot flash demon do not have the time or wherewithal to cook their way to hormonal health. Fortunately, there exist some highly recommended, over-the-counter herbal supplements for ridding oneself of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. The four herbs recommended most often, either individually or in combination with others, are as follows. Chaste Berry (Vitex agnus-castus), commonly called Vitex, is well known for relieving symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Dong Quai Root is an anti- anemic, smooth muscle relaxant, and a regulator of menses. Licorice Root is an anti- inflammatory, spasmolytic (an agent that relieves spasm of smooth muscle), and also a demulcent (a soothing agent that protects the mucous membranes and relieves irritation). Black Cohosh Root, which has estrogenic and calming effects, has long been used for complaints associated with menopause and menses. Barbara Sardella, a certified nutritionist in Corte Madera, California, with a B.S. in holistic nutrition, reports that some women have subdued their hot flashes using Vitex alone. Some of these women have seen immediate relief from taking Vitex daily in capsule form, while others have experienced results within a month. She also highly recommends Red Clover, which is available as a product in capsule form. In addition to Vitex, two products that women have had success with are Easy Change(TM) and Est-Aid(TM) capsules. Both contain Black Cohosh, Dong Quai, and other herbs, while Est-Aid also contains Licorice Root, which has progesterone-like effects. Widespread anecdotal evidence suggests many women are having success by taking Vitex and Easy Change together. All of these herbal remedies should be available at your natural food or vitamin store. In most cases, dosages vary and are not standardized. That's why it's important to consult sources that provide information about possible interactions, adverse effects, or contraindications. Nutritionist Sardella advises women to try one supplement at a time and note how it makes them feel over a period of time -- say, from two weeks to a month. She says some women (especially those still having menstrual cycles) have found that Dong Quai actually aggravated their symptoms. Luchetti adds Licorice Root to the list of herbs that don't agree with every woman. These are examples, says Sardella, of why she doesn't make one-size-fits-all recommendations. She tells persons taking any supplement to "give it time and carefully observe its effects in your body." As always, it's wise to consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for advice before embarking on supplement therapy. It's also helpful to talk with experienced nutritionists. Ultimately, women should consider hormonal testing. Women's health expert Dr. Serafina Corsello (www.corsello.com) recommends testing to get a complete picture of what's happening with all the interconnected women's hormones, a profile she calls "hormonal mapping." by D.J. Fletcher http://www.alternativemedicine.com Wellness article index >> News I Health I Wellness I Exercise I Profiles I Business I Links I Women ROCK! Product Review I To the Point I Contact I Home Created by: Art Street Design Studio. © Concerning Women Communications, Inc. all rights reserved.