By far the commonest cause of hot flushes and night sweats I see is menopause. Just today I had a new client who has been sufferring for 4 years before they asked for my help! Her condition is something I have seen many times and have used herbs successfully to remedy. There is no need to suffer for so long – if you don’t want to use HRT there are other options. I hope to have her on the mend in just a few weeks.
Menopausal hot flushes and night sweats can be varied in their extremes from uncomfortable to down right exhausting. But whatever the cause, they are possible to remedy and it may be worth looking at these 2 herbs for help.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine there are two main types of night sweats, ones which leave you feeling too hot or ones which leave you too cold. You could have a bit of both – but to choose the best herb to try think about which you suffer from the most often.
SAGE LEAF – Herb for a hot person
If you generally feel like a hot person try sage tea 3 times a day to cool the heat from the body. Use 1 teaspoon of the fresh herb or 1/2 a teaspoon of the dry herb per cup of boiling water, brew for 15 minutes before straining and drinking either warm or cold. My Mum swears by this herb – she took it immediately on onset of hot flushes at menopause and she only needed it for 3 days before they had cleared up completely. It can also be useful for feverish hot sweats associated with infections of the respiratory system – sore throats, colds and flus, or tummy bugs.
SCHIZANDRA BERRY – Herb for a cold person
If you wake up at night shivering from the night sweats this will be the better herb for you. This herb can be drunk as a tea just like sage. Use 1-2 teaspoons of the berries per cup of boiling water, brew for 15 mins and drink 3 cups a day for a good medicinal dose. This herb can also be used for low energy, reduced libido, vaginal dryness and anxiety/depression which often come associated with menopause too. It has a traditional reputation for making your skin more beautiful, probably due to its moistening action on the tissues of the body, leaving the skin looking more supple and fresh.
FURTHER HERBAL HELP
Taking just one herb at a time can be very effective. If however you have tried this and it didn’t work, or have a more complex condition, consider seeking professional help from a Medical Herbalist who can provide you with a specific prescription for your body. I recommend using the NIMH website to find a local herbalist to you, or you can contact me for a consultation via email or phone: 07814 430 690 or skype: sorrell.robbins
I am happy to talk to you about any condition you may be suffering and will always refer you if you need a different therapy or practitioner for a successful outcome.
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