| Agnus castus is one of the most popular herbs for | | | | lifestyle changes which might be desirable. In this case, |
| menopause symptoms. The reason for this is simple: | | | | agnus castus on its own might still be beneficial, but the |
| agnus castus eases menopause symptoms for many | | | | chances of this helping is less. All you can do is try it, |
| women. The symptoms it can help with include hot | | | | and see what happens for you. |
| flashes (flushes), night sweats, and irregular or painful | | | | In general, a holistic treatment including agnus castus |
| periods. | | | | will consist of the following. |
| Agnus castus is thought to act by affecting the | | | | 1. AGNUS CASTUS: if using just the untreated herb, |
| pituitary gland. | | | | (i.e. not an extract) take 2 to 3 capsules, or 35-40 |
| The pituitary gland is one of the master glands of the | | | | drops of a fluid extract, before breakfast each day. (If |
| body, situated below the brain. As this gland is | | | | using an extract, follow the label instructions. For |
| affected by agnus castus it, in turn, affects the other | | | | guidance: a "fluid extract" is where 1 kilo of herb makes |
| glands of the body including the ovaries. | | | | 1 litres of the fluid extract. A tincture, on the other hand, |
| The interplay between the hormones is the main | | | | might be 4 to 1, often written "4:1"; so you'd need 4 |
| determinant of how well the body deals with | | | | times as much. The label will tell you the strength of a |
| menopause symptoms. If each hormone is present in | | | | tincture) |
| the right amount then menopause symptoms will | | | | 2. DIET: use a diet high in non-starchy vegetables, as |
| generally be few. If, however, one or other hormone is | | | | much raw as possible; some fruit - not too much; |
| out of balance them unpleasant symptoms are more | | | | plenty of oily fish (minimal smoked fish); some lean |
| likely to occur. | | | | meat; little or no fatty or preserved meats (bacon, |
| The way agnus castus is thought to help the pituitary | | | | salami); low starch, and very low sugar. Minimize food |
| gland is by balancing out its hormone production such | | | | cooked at high temperatures, ie grilling frying or |
| that the output of important hormones is neither too | | | | roasting. |
| great not too small. This can create a hormone | | | | 3. LIFESTYLE: |
| balance in the rest of the body, helping to minimise | | | | |
| menopause symptoms. | | | | 1. Reduce stress to a minimum. This can be more |
| Certainly, other factors will affect symptoms of | | | | easily said than done. But if indeed you are affected |
| menopause. For example, body weaknesses such as | | | | by stress, then this is most important to your |
| tiredness, constipation, frequent infections or digestive | | | | hormones. High stress levels will certainly affect |
| problems. Any of these can influence how the body | | | | hormone production. If you have had stress for very |
| works in general including the hormone balance of the | | | | long such that you now feel exhausted often, you will |
| body. | | | | need practitioner support. Particularly, have your |
| Similarly, menopause symptoms will be affected by | | | | adrenal hormones checked. |
| lifestyle habits including diet, stress levels and the | | | | 2. Weight. If overweight, reduce it towards normal. |
| amount of exercise taken. | | | | Again, often more easily said than done. However, |
| No one woman will react exactly the same as another | | | | obesity and excess weight indicates a poorly |
| in menopause. A combination of the above factors, | | | | functioning body in general. Your overall health as well |
| plus her genes, will determine how well a woman deals | | | | as your hormone balance will benefit from reducing |
| with possible symptoms. This is why it is helpful to | | | | your weight towards normal. The most effective |
| have an alternative practitioner who can take an | | | | approach is through a dramatic reduction in starchy |
| objective view of what is causing menopause | | | | food while following the healthy diet recommendations |
| symptoms in a particular case. | | | | above. These extra factors will help to give agnus |
| For the majority of women - where there are no | | | | castus the best chance of working for you to reduce |
| serious medical problems or other major complications | | | | menopause symptoms.The more you can improve |
| - agnus castus combined with necessary lifestyle | | | | your diet and lifestyle the more likely it is that agnus |
| changes will prove a helpful combination to reduce or | | | | castus will help your menopause symptoms. |
| even eliminate symptoms. Sometimes the benefits can | | | | If you come simply cannot commit to any dietary or |
| be staggering; sometimes just moderate, but still helpful. | | | | lifestyle changes right now, then try agnus castus |
| Of course, some women will find it difficult to make a | | | | anyway. It is such a fantastic herb, it might be enough. |