Alternative Health Herbs for Menopausal Women - สมุนไพรเพื่อวัยทอง

Abstract

            Menopause occurs when women’s ovaries run out of functioning egg. It usually happens between the ages of 40 and 50 years. At the time of menopause, the ovaries decrease their production of estrogen hormone. Estrogen becomes very low, it affects many systems of the body therefore, showing symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal and urethral dryness, bone loss, increase low density lipoprotein and mood swing. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the use of hormone treatment for relieving menopausal symptoms. However, HRT run the risk of heart disease, breast cancer and stroke. Fortunately, all discomforts of menopause can be treated safely with herbs, for example, soy beans act as phytoestrogen, black cohosh, garlic, ginseng and Gingko biloba extract. Soy bean can reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) and stimulate bone formation. Black cohosh are used as remedy for hot flashes. Garlic has been found to reduce platelet aggregation, hyperlipidemia and has shown to prevent artherosclerosis. Ginseng can improve immune function and conditions associated with diabetes. Gingko biloba extract may have effects on improvement on blood flow to the visceral and brain tissue, protection against oxidative cell damage from free radical; reducing beta amyloid plaque that have been related to the development of Alzheimer’ s disease; improving functioning of cognitively intact older women.

Key words: menopausal women, estrogen hormone, health herbs