Popular Home Remedies for Hot Flashes and Why They Work

More and more women are looking for natural hot flash relief or "home remedies" for hot flashes. For many years the treatment of choice was hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but the medical community has now identified the risks associated with long-term use of HRT. Since some women begin to suffer from hot flashes, bed sweats and other menopausal symptoms five or six years before their menstrual cycles end and then may continue to have them for several years afterwards, it is not unusual for a woman to need relief or treatment for ten years. The longer she uses HRT, the greater her risk of developing serious medical conditions including cancer, heart disease, blood clots and stroke.

There are several types of home remedies for hot flashes. There are the things that you avoid, because they may trigger hot flashes or worsen their severity. There are the things that you can do to relieve or possibly prevent the frequency of them. And then there are herbs, botanicals and even some foods that may provide hot flash relief. First, we'll look at the things that typically trigger hot flashes; those things to be avoided.

Caffeine, Nicotine, Alcohol & Other Triggers

Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants. Stimulants increase blood pressure and cause blood vessels to dilate. One of the body's natural reactions to stimulants is "flushing". While decreased estrogen production causes hot flashes or "flushes" during perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause, anything that would ordinarily cause flushing, can trigger hot flashes. Even though alcohol is a depressant, rather than a stimulant, it still dilates the blood vessels, increases blood pressure and can trigger hot flashes.

Other hot flash triggers may be unique to the individual woman and may require a symptoms diary to identify them. For example, many women find that spicy foods trigger hot flashes. Certain vitamins, over the counter drugs, prescription and illicit drugs (like marijuana) may trigger hot flashes, if they increase blood pressure or cause the blood vessels to dilate. When drugs or vitamins are necessary for other health reasons, it may not be possible to avoid them. Herbal home remedies for hot flashes may be helpful, in these cases, but prescription drugs can interact with some herbs. Your doctor, pharmacist or herbalist should be able to advise you about any herbal remedies that should be avoided, if you are taking medication.

Things That Help

Hot flash relief may be a simple matter of wearing loose fitting, lighter weight or cotton clothing. Cotton allows perspiration to evaporate, cooling the skin off more quickly and making you feel more comfortable. Dressing in layers can also help. You can take layers off as your body heats up and put them back on, if you become chilled afterwards, as many women do.

Regular exercise provides hot flash relief for many women. It may be that the heat you generate while moving around helps the body stay at a more comfortable temperature throughout the day. Diet can also be a factor, which brings up the last of the home remedies for hot flashes.

Dietary, Herbal and Botanical Home Remedies for Hot Flashes

A lot is being said about soy beans for menopausal symptoms. Soy beans contain a compound called isoflavones, which are plant estrogens or phytoestrogens. These phytoestrogens may have an estrogen-like effect on a woman's body, provide hot flash relief and possibly relieve other menopausal symptoms. While some experts suggest that adding soy to the diet may be a better choice than dietary supplements that contain the active compound, the research conducted thus far indicates that dietary supplements decrease hot flashes much more effectively than food products such as soy flour. For women who are allergic to soy, isoflavones can be found in other plants, such as red clover.

Black cohosh is one of the most popular home remedies for hot flashes. Researchers have found it to be even more effective than soy isoflavones. Sarsaparilla is an ancient remedy for hormonal imbalances and may provide hot flash relief. Ginseng is effective for some women, not for others. Chasteberry, although often recommended, does not appear to reduce hot flashes, but can be helpful for other menopausal symptoms. Wild yam is sometimes recommended because it contains a compound that can be used to create synthetic hormones. Dong Quai root is another one of the home remedies for hot flashes, but some scientific studies have found that it is ineffective for hot flash relief, though it may improve other symptoms. For more information about these and other supplements that may be helpful during menopause, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.



Patsy Hamilton was a healthcare professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes informational articles for the Menopause and PMS Guide. Visit http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com to learn more about menopause, PMS and natural remedies.




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Most Popular Worldwide Remedies for Constipation

Constipation is an annoying problem of the digestive system. However, it is referred differently by different individuals. For most of the individuals, it is referred as the occurrence of infrequent stools. For others, it is hardening of stools as well which may be explained with straining during stool pass, sense of incomplete emptying of bowel etc. According to medical terminology, normally constipation is referred to a condition lesser than three bowel movement in a week, whereas, chronic stage implies less than one bowel movement in a week.

There are various useful treatments available to get rid off constipation problems. However, in some cases, one may depend on constipation remedy to solve constipation problems. In this article, we will be focusing on different constipation remedies popular in different countries and cultures.

Egyptian remedy for constipation

Egypt is recognized as one of the oldest culture in the world. Ancient Egyptian people showed their excellence in various areas including the area of medicine. In their oldest medicinal books, they described constipation remedy as well. Aloe Forex is referred to as a good constipation remedy that functions effectively as a natural laxative on the digestive system. It is widely popular because of its natural ability to work against inflammatory digestive complications.

Apart from that, senna is found in Egypt since ancient period which is well-known as the world's safest laxative. Sometimes, digestive problems can cause bad breath. Senna as a mouthwash offers effective relief from bad breath as well.

More than eight hundred years ago, Egyptians used honey in lukewarm water to treat constipation problem and found it an effective constipation remedy for all.

Chinese remedy for constipation

Most popularly Chinese people use Jin Yin Hua herb as constipation remedy. It helps cleansing toxic substances and relieving body heat. It offers cold energy to the body and it helps restoring health. A regular use of 6-15gm of dried Jin Yin Hua is found to be effective in managing complications particularly arising in large intestine areas.

Apart from that, traditional Chinese medicine suggests to eat boiled sweet potatoes seasoned with sugar or salt. It is recommended that you should eat it prior going to bed at night. It is truly beneficial for chronic constipation.

French remedy for constipation

French people prefer to have mustard seeds in order to relieve from digestive complications. It works well as effective laxative. Barley offers a good source for soluble fiber. French people eat muffins as well as biscuits made up of barley and oat bran meal.

German remedy for constipation

Dandelion tea is very popular among German people. It offers a good solution for treating constipation; hence it is indeed a good constipation remedy.

Constipation remedies popular worldwide

Cascara sagrada is a useful constipation remedy that offers relief from constipation. It is also not addictive and nutritionally beneficial to stomach, liver, pancreas and gall bladder. It works as a natural cleanser of colon, thus it keeps protecting body from toxic wastages and faecal substances.

Bael fruit is an excellent choice for treating constipation. It is considered as the best laxative among all other fruits. It is truly a wonderful constipation remedy. It has the ability to cleanse the digestive system along with a great relief from constipation. It is equally beneficial for normal as well as chronic constipation problems.

Guava can be eaten to get a relief from constipation problem. You need to eat guava with seeds to fight against constipation problem. Apart from that, you may count on orange, papaya, prunes, pears and grapes to promote healthy digestive system.

Bran cereal can be used as an effective constipation remedy and is perfect for toddlers and adolescents. To cure constipation problem, you may use corn syrup mixed with water. A traditional remedy to relieve constipation includes honey or extra sugar in a glass full of milk. Twice drinking in a day can definitely make you free from constipation problem.



Dr John Anne is an herbal specialist with years of experience and extensive research on herbs and alternative health. If you are looking for more information, read about Constipation Remedies at http://www.ayurvediccure.com/colon/natural-colon-cleansers.htm. AyurvedicCure.com is the World's Largest Alternative Health Portal. You can also Participate in Health Questions & Answers, Discussion Forums and Blogs. If you are worried about your Pet's Health then visit Cats Constipation




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