Treating Menopause Symptoms The Natural Way

All too often hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has uncomfortable side effects. The hot flashes, mood swings and headaches are bad enough; women do not need additional symptoms piled on top of what they already have. This is the biggest reason that more and more women are looking at herbal and homeopathic remedies. There is still a lot of research to be done, however there is a lot of evidence supporting the effectiveness of natural remedies.

The most popular and effective natural treatment comes in the form of herbs. Plants like black cohosh and red clover contain a class of phytoestrogens that simulate the hormone estrogen in the human body. Soy is also said to possess some of these phytoestrogens and can be beneficial as well. It has been documented that by consuming a regular dose of soy products can be as effective as some prescription drugs used when treating menopausal symptoms. Other natural sources are flaxseed oil, chaste berry, ginseng and the Chinese herb, dong quai.

Black cohosh, unlike some of the other herbs used to treat menopause, does not have any phytoestrogen. This herb has no hormonal effect on the menopausal woman. Yet when this herb is ingested it has proven to alleviate hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, and a few other symptoms. The question researchers asked was, how did black cohosh do this? Apparently, black cohosh prevented the symptoms from happening at all by directly affecting the pituitary gland's secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH).

In today's world we have all become accustomed to instant results. Take a pill, swallow some liquid and within a few minutes or hours you can begin to feel some relief. When dealing with herbal remedies the opposite is true. For the herbs to work they have to build up in the body over a three to four week period. This process can be time consuming and tedious, but be patient, the results and added peace of mind are worth it.

As a strong advocate of prevention and the natural power of the human body to heal itself, Dr. Steelsmith uses therapies that are primarily natural and non-toxic. She prescribes medicines and lifestyle changes which stimulate the patient's healing process, rather than drugs which simply suppress the symptoms and may have multiple unhealthy side-effects. It is vital in her training and practice to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of disease.

• See why you might want to do hormone testing
• Receive practical ideas on how to control hot flashes, and PMS
• Find out how iodine and hypothyroidism contribute to breast issues
• Learn about a test that helps determine risks of getting breast cancer
• Resolve problems with vaginal dryness, and vulvodynia
• Discover natural ways of dealing with chronic vaginal infections
• Practical approaches for fibromyalgia
• Find natural solutions for the insomnia of menopause
• Learn more about uterine fibroids
• Tools to get a heavy menstrual flow under control

Highly trained in both traditional Western science and alternative medicine, Dr. Steelsmith is uniquely qualified to determine what is best for a patient's specific needs. She blends centuries-old knowledge of natural therapies with the latest medical advances in scientific diagnosis and treatment.

Traditional Healing in Modern Medicine

You've heard that it's takes a village to raise a child, but Dr. Mehl-Madrona believes that it often takes a community to heal someone who is ill. The indigenous ways have much to teach us. In his books and this interview he tells us stories that he's told to his patients to help in their healing process. These stories give us universal wisdom and strength.

• Discover how to use the community to help your friends and family heal
• See how to integrate contemporary medicine with traditional healing
• Learn the traditional meaning of the Four Directions
• See how you can use stories to enhance the healing process
• Discover the hidden meaning of the Native American Medicine Wheel
• Be Inspired to live in harmony with the seasons and nature
• Learn about the real meaning of “success” in healing
• Explore how to use our ancestors’ spirits in healing and story
• Find out what the benefits of ceremony can be in your life
• Learn to create your own ceremonies for daily living
• See how the Ravens Beak story relates to modern health issues

Lewis Mehl-Madrona holds an M.D. from Stanford University and has been a practicing doctor for over 20 years. An experienced healer who has led many Native American healing ceremonies, Dr. Mehl-Madrona has also headed traditional medical clinics, helping AIDS and cancer patients as well as researching the benefits of relaxation techniques to aid in the natural correction of breech positioned babies. He is currently an Associate Professor of Family Practice at the University Of Hawaii School Of Medicine. He has been studying and working in the field of Native American and indigenous healing for many years.