Women who take hormones prescribed by their doctor often have to contend with a number of unpleasant side effects that ruin daily life.

Milk Thistle — a booster for the liver

Although the number of women who have refused hormones is increasing, there are still those who feel that accepting the treatment is necessary and choose to put up with these daily discomforts, thinking there is no alternative.

However, Susun Weed, author of New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way, Alternative Approaches for Women, suggests that the use of herbs can really make a difference.

Water Retention is one of the most prevalent symptoms experienced by women on HRT. Water retention is a nuisance because the sufferer experiences swelling, especially in the feet, fingers, arms and legs. Their shoes might feel tight and uncomfortable and their rings can become too tight. Exercise and a reduced salt intake can help, but Susun suggests that 10-20 drops of dandelion root tincture in water will strengthen the liver and help it metabolise the hormones. She also suggests that eating asparagus, nettles, grapes, cucumber and watermelon will help.

Women on hormones also suffer from headaches. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol is recommended, as well as ensuring that your water intake is maintained so that you’re not dehydrated. Susun suggests that garden sage tea is great for headaches and will also help the sweating that is associated with menopausal symptoms. Sage naturally contains plant estrogens, which could explain its usefulness to menopausal women. It is readily available to purchase online or in stores that stock fresh herbs, and clearly the fresher the herb the better.

Dry eyes can also be an affliction that menopausal women have to contend with. An ophthalmologist can check your level of tear production and would usually suggest the use of eye drops that cause artificial tears. Bathing the eyes with a chickweed solution is said to offer relief, and is certainly a better option than using eye drops full of chemicals and preservative.