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Remedies for Menopausal Symptoms
The Menopause Self Help Book
by Susan M. Lark, M.D.,
The Wild Rose Scientific Herbal by Terry Willard, Ph.D.,
Menopausal Years The Wise Woman Way by Susun S. Weed
are drawn heavily upon for this segment. All references are provided here.
 ACHING
JOINTS & MUSCLE PROBLEMS
Joint pain can begin before menopausal years and become more troublesome
during these years. It is thought that more than half of all postmenopausal
women experience varying degrees of joint pain. Knee, elbow and shoulder
joint pains are most frequently experienced, while aching in hips, lower
back, or wrists often signal deeper distresses such as worsening osteoporosis,
kidney weakness or immune system dysfunction.31
The cumulative effect of decades of use is one factor that leads to
degenerative changes in joints. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of
arthritis, results primarily from a progressive degeneration of cartilage
glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). This damage is compounded by a decreased ability
to repair joint structures as we age and may also reflect nutritional
status.20
It is not wise to ignore these aches and pains. Early treatment can
often bring about a cure and prevent further development of arthritis.
Injection of cortisone into an acutely affected joint will sometimes offer
prompt relief, but this may harm the immune system and may not work at
all. The same may be said of gold injections.31
Getting plenty of rest, using herbal aids as needed to ensure deep restorative
sleep, eating nutritious foods–predominantly fresh, preferably organic,
fruits and vegetables–and avoiding known toxins and stimulants are
healthy strategies that will help minimize muscle and joint pain in your
menopausal years. Give your body a fighting chance!
NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen may be regarded as helpful in the
short term. This standard drug therapy suppresses pain and inflammation
but has been found to promote progression of the arthritic disease process
by inhibiting GAG (glycosaminoglycan) synthesis and cartilage repair,
and accelerating cartilage destruction.3, 2, 22, 27, 28, 20
In addition, drugs may stimulate osteoporosis and suppress the immune
system.
Glucosamine Sulfate (GLS): It has
been found that this supplement may offer effective treatment by serving
as a building block for GAGs (glycosaminoglycans), promoting the incorporation
of sulfur into cartilage.20 Numerous double blind studies have
found GLS produces better results than standard drug therapy in the treatment
of arthritis and pain in weight-bearing joints.25, 10, 26, 24.
It appears the sulfur in GLS may be critical to the beneficial effects
noted. Sulfur is an essential nutrient for joint tissue where it functions
in the stabilization of the connective tissue matrix of cartilage, tendons
and ligaments.20
When comparing glucosamine sulfate to cartilage extracts, it has been
observed that these compounds differ in their degree of purity and effectiveness
in osteoarthritis. Chondroitin sulfate is composed of very large molecules,
and has an absorption rate of between 0 and 8%, compared to a 98% absorption
rate for glucosamine sulfate.21, 18
Contentions that N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) is better absorbed, more
stable. and better utilized than GLS are without support in the scientific
literature, which in fact, reports just the opposite.7, 15, 29, 5.
There has never been a double-blind study using NAG for any application
nor have there ever been any detailed absorption studies on NAG in humans.21
Another form of glucosamine presently being marketed is glucosamine
hydrochloride (HCl). As with NAG (N-acetyl-glucosamine) the research does
not support the use of glucosamine hydrochloride.8, 15.
The standard dose for glucosamine sulfate is 500 mg three times per
day. Obese individuals may need higher dosages based on their body weight
(20 mg/kg body weight/day).21
Anti-inflammatory herbs: There are
herbs rich in salicylates and/or sterols that may be used just as effectively
as their drug counterparts aspirin and cortisone for pain relief and as
anti-inflammatories. Unlike aspirin and cortisone, the herbs don’t
produce side effects when used carefully. Also unlike drugs, herbs provide
bone-building minerals, immune-strengthening micronutrients, and endocrine-nourishing
glycosides.
Salicylates found in the bark, buds and leaves of willows, birches, true
wintergreen, poplars, and black haw have been used for centuries to help
ease inflammatory pain.31
Sterols are fatty substances composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Bile, sex and adrenal hormones and even vitamin D contain sterol.
Sterols found in the roots of many plants such as wild yam, sarsaparilla,
ginseng (Panax), black cohosh, poke and devil’s club have
been found to help ease sore joints.31
| CAUTION:
Poke root and poke berry seeds are highly toxic, and must be used
in extremely low doses, preferably under the supervision of a qualified
practitioner. Susun Weed suggests these have been found especially
helpful for rheumatoid arthritis… "Use tincture of poke root
(do not use dried poke root) or devil’s club at 1-4 drops daily.
Or 1-2 dried poke berries each morning (swallow without chewing so
that the toxic seeds will pass through)." |
Phytosterols (phyto = plant) are found only in plants. Interestingly,
says the Mayo Clinic, they can be naturally present in the diet in amounts
almost equal to cholesterol; however, they differ in structure and shape
from cholesterol. Unlike dietary cholesterol, phytosterols seem to have
some health-promoting effects.
Peruvian Bark contains alkaloids
including quinine and has been found very useful in prevention of leg
cramps, especially at night. Leg cramps in postmenopausal women are often
reported by practitioners.33 The main causes have been found
to be the use of tobacco and inactivity of the legs. Attention to calcium/magnesium
intake is important, and often a pharmaceutical form of quinine is prescribed
and found to be helpful. Using the herb Peruvian Bark is much safer than
quinine and is more effective, although using very large doses over an
extended period of time is not recommended.35
Yellow dock root: For ‘restless’
legs (often a symptom of anemia), try 10-20 drops of tincture daily.31
Alginates from brown seaweed or kelp
are used to treat painful joints resulting from strontium, barium, cadmium
and radium poisoning. Alginates bind tightly to these toxins allowing
them to pass harmlessly out of the body, for example, cows are often fed
alginate that binds with strontium 90 which is then excreted. Alginate
is a good treatment for "ouch-ouch" disease (yes, that's its real name)
which is found in Japan and is due to poisoning by cadmium-containing
water used to irrigate rice fields. Its major symptom? Painful joints.12
Black currant bud macerate is an
anti-inflammatory found to be a wonderful ally for postmenopausal women
with arthritis, rheumatism, allergies, headaches, and persistent hot flashes.
A 30-50 drop dose may be used up to three times a day.31
Essential oils: A warm footbath with
a few drops of the essential oil of peppermint or rosemary right before
bed may help. Or perhaps a bath to which valerian has been added. Black
haw or St. John’s wort helps prevent and relieve muscle cramps.31
In addition to herbal remedies, visualization, swimming in warm water,
moxibustion or acupuncture may help greatly for aching joints. A more
modern equivalent of acupuncture is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
(TENS).31
Diet: Often the elimination of certain
foods such as the following will help greatly:
- sugar
- the so-called ‘nightshade’ foods (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant,
peppers)
- citrus, with the exception of lemon and grapefruit
- dairy products, with the exception of plain yogurt with active culture
- meat including beef, pork, and lamb (other sources of protein such
as chicken, fish and beans are less likely to promote inflammation)
- vegetable oils (continue using olive oil and the essential fatty acids
flax seed, sesame, pumpkin, borage, sunflower oils)
- MSG (monosodium gluconate)
- alcohol
Garden sage leaf infusion or tincture
is said to prevent joint aches and improve circulation. Note:
Do not use excessively or if you have dry mouth or very dry vaginal tissues.31
EFAs: Essential fatty acids have
anti-inflammatory properties. A spoonful of fresh flax seed or evening
primrose oil several times a day may relieve pain within a few days, and
regular use helps prevent aching joints.
Ginger baths, soaks, and compresses
may bring soothing, warm relief to sore and aching joints.31
Researched and written by Joan McPhee, MH, WT, 2000
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