A Farewell to hot flushes
Oh no, she thought, not me! Not already! as she woke up drenched. She jumped out of bed, raced to the balcony naked—never mind that it was December—and just stood there, arms wide open, welcoming the cold wind and wondering how to stop these discomfiting hot flushes.
Well, apart from freezing to death, there is HRT; but for women who prefer a natural alternative, plant-based remedies might just do the trick. Hops, for example, work very well and no, we are not suggesting you should drink beer. Not enough of the little yellow cones in it. Besides alcohol only increases body heat and flushing.
The phytoestrogens in hops alleviate menopausal misery. They stop you from feeling like a boiler on the verge of exploding, calm your anxieties and help you sleep. They are such a powerful sedative that, in the old days, harvesters used to sing to keep awake.
If you take humulus lupus tablets or homeopathic mother tincture, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You may need to adjust the dosage: If you feel a little grumpy or suffer joint pains, lower it. If you still have the dreaded vapours, up it slightly.
Sage also does the trick, in tablets, homeopathic mother tincture or herb tea. To make it, boil 1 cup of water, pour it over 4 tablespoons of dried sage leaves, cover up and let the mixture seep for 4 hours. Strain and drink cold or reheat it. If you hate the taste, add lemon and/or honey. One cup is enough to prevent hot flushes for a couple of days.
Always check with your doctor first before taking these remedies.
Japanese scientists also recommend using organic cold pressed rice bran oil to replace your usual kitchen oil. According to their study, 90% of the women who participated in it, found a noticeable improvement of their symptoms, thanks to the vitamin E and oryzanol in it. This natural ingredient is clinically proven for controlling some miserable menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, mood swings, etc. and helps women overcome these complications gracefully.
Eat sensibly, avoid alcohol and hot spices. And, last but not least, exercise. Two new studies suggest that physical activity “might lessen both the frequency and severity of hot flushes by changing how the body regulates its internal temperature.” Forget the leisurely 30 minutes digestive walk once a week. Oh no! To be effective, it needs to be sustained and regular exercise.
So, hop, hop, hop, put on your running shoes to get your fabulous figure and your good mood back, thanks to the endorphins literally exploding during the effort.
More on menopause and other intimate issues for all in:
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