Working through menopausal symptoms can be a bit overwhelming.  There’s often pressure to take synthetic hormones or investigate bioidentical hormones.  It can be confusing.  But is there another way to approach hot flashes, insomnia, depression, mood changes and more without hormones?  Let’s look at herbal remedies and alternative therapies.   

Sage – looking at hot flashes and increased sweating, sage has been shown to decrease perspiration in over 60% of women who experience hot flashes (Bommer, 2011).  This can be used in the form of tea and capsules.  The recommendation is to take 1000mg two times a day.  Sage is also known to assist with sinus infections, improving cognition and calming the central nervous system.
 
Red Clover (wild plant belonging to the legume family)
Kudzu (Pueraria Lobata aka Owhi)
Soy (soybeans)
 
I’m lumping all of these into the same paragraph.  Each contains isoflavones - genistein, daidzein and puerarin.  Isoflavones are compounds that act as weak estrogen receptor modulators. In treating hot flashes, the research is mixed.  This is because gut bacteria has to convert daidzein into equol.  Only ~40% of individuals can do this.  This is why some women find that soy in the form of edamame and tofu helps with hot flashes while others don’t find assistance.  It’s good to note that the isoflavones mentioned here could interact with anticoagulant and platelet medications. Also, not all soy is the same. 
 
St. John’s Wort – you often hear that this herb assists with well-being but a multitude of studies show that it can assist with hot flashes.  Research indicates that after an 8-12 week period, improvements were shown.  This was based on a dose of 300 mg taken three times/day.   Please note that St. John’s Wart is metabolized in the liver and can interfere with the metabolism of many other drugs.
 
Panax Ginseng – this is another mood stabilizer and assists with insomnia.  Studies indicate that this herb was taken daily (200 mg) in the form of a standardized extract. 
 
Yoga – this ancient form of movement has been shown to assist with hot flashes, depression and insomnia.  It activates the parasympathetic nervous system which assists with lowering heart rate, blood pressure and stress.  Please note that “hot” yoga isn’t recommended since this can stress the body and create hot flashes. 
 
Meditation – meditation in the form of breathwork, mindfulness, utilizing the senses and more has been shown to reduce stress and activation the calm side of the central nervous system which can assist with mood, insomnia, hot flashes and more.  
 
Acupuncture – this ancient modality helps a great deal of symptoms.  It assists with stress reduction, improving sleep, regulating hormones and reducing hot flashes. 
 
Over the years, I’ve recommended these remedies in addition to a few more.  They are helpful in reducing sleepless nights, feeling cooler and improving mood and memory.  I can personally attest to this as well as hearing the testimonials from so many women.  As always, please consult your health care provider for your specific needs and ensure the supplements you take are high quality, pure and come from a reputable supplier. 
#mindbodyyou #herbs #menopause #alternativetherapy #sage #redclover #kudzu #stjohnswort #panexginseng #yoga #meditation #acupuncture #celestecooperpeel

Our skin is the largest organ.  It protects us from the environment as well as microbes which are tiny forms of life too small to be seen by the naked eye.  Some make us sick and some are good for our health.  Although our skin protects us, anything that we directly place on our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream.  That’s why we need to pay special attention to what we apply on it.   
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I’ve been using essential oils close to twenty years now.  They have healing benefits and are pleasing to the senses.  Coupled with rich, emulsifying butters and coconut oils, these components can be great for our skincare regimen. 

I’m going to share one of my favorite recipes during the holiday season – Peppermint Bark Butter Bars.  To make these skincare products, you may want to purchase some silicone soap/bar molds.  Here’s what I use.  They are 1.5 fluid ounces each.   

Here are the ingredients. 

• ½ cup melted organic coconut oil
• ½ cup of grated pure beeswax
• 2 ½ cups of grated organic, raw and unrefined cocoa butter
• 1-1 ½ teaspoons of 100% pure therapeutic grade peppermint essential oil

You will need a small and a medium pot to create a double boiler.  Another option is using a stainless-steel bowl in place of the smaller pot.

Fill a medium pot with about 2-3 inches of water.  Bring to a boil. Place a smaller pot or stainless-steel bowl inside the larger pot.  Add the coconut oil, beeswax and cocoa butter to the small pot/bowl. Stir until the blend is melted and then remove from heat.  Let this mixture cool a bit and then add the essential oil.  Mix well.  Pour the mixture into the molds. Allow the Peppermint Bark body bars cool and solidify.  Once this happens, you can pop the bars out of the mold.  If it’s warm in the room you are preparing these in, place in a cooler setting.  Another option is to put these on a sheet in the refrigerator for ~25-30 minutes. 

To use, rub the body bar on feet, knees, elbow or all over body for moisture.  This is a great bar to use on hands in the winter.  The shelf life for these bars is ~ a year if you store out of direct sunlight and away from a heat source. 

Enjoy for yourself or share as gifts with others.
#mindbodyyou #essentialoils #bodycare #celestecooperpeel