Symptoms

Menopause is a natural condition that occurs when the ovaries no longer produce enough estrogen to stimulate the lining of the uterus and vagina. Simply put, menopause is when women no longer menstruate or get pregnant. It generally occurs somewhere between the ages of 40 and 60. One of the most famous signs of menopause is the hot flash, a sudden reddening of the face accompanied by a feeling of intense warmth. Other common symptoms include depressed mood, fluid retention, insomnia, irritability, nervousness, night sweats, painful intercourse, rapid heart beat, susceptibility to bladder problems, thinning of vaginal tissues, vaginal dryness, and weight gain. It should be noted that some women experience few symptoms while still others encounter none at all.

How Ginseng Can Help

One traditional remedy for menopause is hormone replacement therapy. This optional treatment uses synthetic hormones to elevate progesterone and estrogen to their premenopausal levels. Ginseng is helpful regardless of whether one undergoes or forgoes hormone replacement therapy. Ginsenosides have an estrogen-like action on vaginal walls. This helps prevent the tissue thinning and painful dryness that many menopausal women experience.Dosages

Take one 200-mg capsule three times a day; or 1/2 teaspoon of liquid extract three times a day; or 1 teaspoon of tincture three times a day. With your physician’s recommendation, the same dosage can be taken as a complementary treatment to hormone replacement therapy. If taking ginseng continually, plan on taking a one week break from the herb every four or five weeks. This reduces the chance of possible hypertension, insomnia or restlessness that some health authorities believe can develop with long-term ginseng usage.