Agnus Castus is Often Great For Menopause Symptoms

Agnus castus is one of the most popular herbs for menopause symptoms. The reason for this is simple: agnus castus eases menopause symptoms for many women. The symptoms it can help with include hot flashes (flushes), night sweats, and irregular or painful periods.

Agnus castus is thought to act by affecting the pituitary gland.

The pituitary gland is one of the master glands of the body, situated below the brain. As this gland is affected by agnus castus it, in turn, affects the other glands of the body including the ovaries.

The interplay between the hormones is the main determinant of how well the body deals with menopause symptoms. If each hormone is present in the right amount then menopause symptoms will generally be few. If, however, one or other hormone is out of balance them unpleasant symptoms are more likely to occur.

The way agnus castus is thought to help the pituitary gland is by balancing out its hormone production such that the output of important hormones is neither too great not too small. This can create a hormone balance in the rest of the body, helping to minimise menopause symptoms.

Certainly, other factors will affect symptoms of menopause. For example, body weaknesses such as tiredness, constipation, frequent infections or digestive problems. Any of these can influence how the body works in general including the hormone balance of the body.

Similarly, menopause symptoms will be affected by lifestyle habits including diet, stress levels and the amount of exercise taken.

No one woman will react exactly the same as another in menopause. A combination of the above factors, plus her genes, will determine how well a woman deals with possible symptoms. This is why it is helpful to have an alternative practitioner who can take an objective view of what is causing menopause symptoms in a particular case.

For the majority of women - where there are no serious medical problems or other major complications - agnus castus combined with necessary lifestyle changes will prove a helpful combination to reduce or even eliminate symptoms. Sometimes the benefits can be staggering; sometimes just moderate, but still helpful.

Of course, some women will find it difficult to make a lifestyle changes which might be desirable. In this case, agnus castus on its own might still be beneficial, but the chances of this helping is less. All you can do is try it, and see what happens for you.

In general, a holistic treatment including agnus castus will consist of the following.

1. AGNUS CASTUS: if using just the untreated herb, (i.e. not an extract) take 2 to 3 capsules, or 35-40 drops of a fluid extract, before breakfast each day. (If using an extract, follow the label instructions. For guidance: a "fluid extract" is where 1 kilo of herb makes 1 litres of the fluid extract. A tincture, on the other hand, might be 4 to 1, often written "4:1"; so you'd need 4 times as much. The label will tell you the strength of a tincture)

2. DIET: use a diet high in non-starchy vegetables, as much raw as possible; some fruit - not too much; plenty of oily fish (minimal smoked fish); some lean meat; little or no fatty or preserved meats (bacon, salami); low starch, and very low sugar. Minimize food cooked at high temperatures, ie grilling frying or roasting.

3. LIFESTYLE:

1. Reduce stress to a minimum. This can be more easily said than done. But if indeed you are affected by stress, then this is most important to your hormones. High stress levels will certainly affect hormone production. If you have had stress for very long such that you now feel exhausted often, you will need practitioner support. Particularly, have your adrenal hormones checked.


2. Weight. If overweight, reduce it towards normal. Again, often more easily said than done. However, obesity and excess weight indicates a poorly functioning body in general. Your overall health as well as your hormone balance will benefit from reducing your weight towards normal. The most effective approach is through a dramatic reduction in starchy food while following the healthy diet recommendations above.

These extra factors will help to give agnus castus the best chance of working for you to reduce menopause symptoms.The more you can improve your diet and lifestyle the more likely it is that agnus castus will help your menopause symptoms.

If you come simply cannot commit to any dietary or lifestyle changes right now, then try agnus castus anyway. It is such a fantastic herb, it might be enough.