Holistic HRT and other hormonal conditions eased by the use of natural remedies.- especially Aromatherapy

Please note this is only a view expressed from an aromatherapy, holistic and herbal stance. (I wrote this in the 1990s.) Science is always changing with newer products and procedures available. Please do your reseach and definately consult your GP.

Hot flushes? Night Sweats? Moodiness? The symptoms of the menopause are too numerous to mention. All who have been through it have their own  story to tell. We are all different and HRT can affect us in varying ways - one woman's meat is another woman's poison so to speak.

Whilst Hormone Replacement Therapy can be of great benefit to some, onset of the menopause can find others considering the natural options even if their lives have been 'processed and packaged to date'. They want something more and recognise that  everything in their lives needs to accommodate the change -  not just their bodies. Indeed, if you have already been through the menopause or going through it at this moment, ask yourself  how many other areas of my life are changing too? Perhaps your children are leaving home or you've just moved or your working life is changing. Maybe you're finding that your eating and sleeping patterns are different or your energy levels fluctuate.  Passage through the transitions phases in one’s life can be eased by using a holistic approach. Just as we help our children come to terms with losing their milk teeth perhaps with the aid of the tooth fairy and a 50p coin, we can help ourselves to sail through life's other inevitable transitions.

Holism recognises that everyone is an individual with each having their own needs. One remedy will suit one woman but not another. The same remedy could help yet another with totally different symptoms. In choosing your own way to improved health and well-being, can you can really expect  a quick fix? Will the complete solution for your circumstances appear packaged on the chemist's shelf? Probably not. So what are your options and how can  you discover your personal combination to crack the code and move easily in to a new era?

The holistic approach considers not only your health and its symptoms but also how you lead your life. Covering your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual nature,  check to see which area or areas are out of balance before determining a course of action. Have you responded to the change physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually - or the whole lot?

Imbalances are revealed in various guises, these are some examples:

Physical - the obvious symptoms of the menopause, other health conditions, posture or 'body language' can tell you a lot about a person's inner state. Are you too tense or too laid back? Do you find your sense of security being challenged? What kinds of foods do you eat?

Mental - lack of concentration, endless worrying or attention to trivia can be revealing in that such symptoms can indicate a need to escape from the reality of ones changing life.

Emotional - how do we feel about ourselves? Over confident, under confident? How do you get on with our family and friends - distant or interfering? Are you filling any emotional gaps by over eating or denying yourself by under eating? Have life-long habits become irritating?

Spiritual - Unlike the dictionary definition, this term concerns 'inner drive'. How spontaneous, motivated and energetic are you?  Why do you do the things you do? How much or little exercise do you take?

Just a look at the above list shows how one thing can lead to another. For instance a lack of concentration or apathy (mind) could lead to being unable to care for oneself physically  and emotionally resulting in reduced energy levels (spiritual). 

We need to face up to the changes in our lives and ring out the old - ring in the new. Wherever the source of the imbalance, attention given  to all areas of your life where you consider there to be a problem will flow around to the  parts, possibly undiscovered, that really need harmonising. Here, use of  Aromatherapy can be considered  the ultimate pampering way to improved health and well-being. Consulting a qualified therapist  can lead to a complete treatment even for those deep dark problems that you have cast into the depths and recesses of your mind years ago! However, a remedy can be as simple as eliminating an item of food or taking an extra 30 minute walk every day or experiencing a shift of attitude to view your problems in a different light.

From a holistic point of view, using a  natural version of HRT can only be seen as treating part of the problem but it may be all you need. Many women find that  a combination of Aromatherapy, herbs with their oestrogenic and progesterone like qualities and  a wholesome diet with  appropriate exercise and daily  routine fits the bill.

The oestrogenic phase is equivalent to the first two weeks of your menstrual cycle. If you are not having periods, then base your dates on those of  your closest (most regular) friend's. Of course, there is one 'condition' for not having periods and that's pregnancy! So check this first if you're in any doubt as many oils are unsuitable.

Aromatherapy oils for use during the 'oestrogenic' stage of your cycle are Geranium, Cypress, Clary Sage or  Fennel.  These oils and others quoted may not always be suitable for women with other conditions, and you should first  consult the specialist at the point of sale.

Liquorice, which you may know as 'Spanish Wood',  is a plant source of oestrogen and can be obtained from herbalists either as the chewable wood or in herbal teas and tablets. 

Lack of oestrogen can lead to osteoporosis or  heart disease. If you consider yourself prone to either of these conditions, the chances of being affected by them  may be reduced by taking adequate and regular exercise. Change your dietary pattern  by cutting out or reducing meats and processed items from your menu replacing them instead with leafy green vegetables for extra calcium, oily fish for vitamin D  and edible 'oestrogenic' supplements in the form of Soya beans and alfalfa sprouts. Raw bran is said to inhibit absorption of calcium, so this should be avoided.

The second half of the cycle can be mimicked by progesterone-like herbs taken either as teas or tablets. These are the Chaste tree known as Vitex Agnus Castus and the appropriately named Ladies Mantle and you could try Lime Blossom or Chamomile tea to ease away emotional ups and downs. Aromatherapy oils do not have progesteronic qualities but stress relieving gentle oils such as Lavender and Ylang Ylang for balanced moods, palpitations and less chaos in one's life; Chamomile to reduce hot flushes and anger and Neroli, a beautiful oil from Orange Blossom can allay fears. All these oils are easily used in baths or massage.

A touch of luxury (only use carcinogenic free type)

Use of Rose, one of the most luxurious oils can not only make one feel good but has also been used to help  ease heavy bleeding (Menorrhagia) along with other hormone balancing oils such as  Geranium and Cypress in baths or for massage. Here, whilst Aromatherapy can offer great support, you should always seek  medical advice.

Frankincense is worth its weight in gold when it comes to dispensing with past conditions and makes a lovely blend with Rose. For those who anticipate and concern themselves with the future, try Frankincense and Neroli a true blend for New Year’s eve.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Other hormonal natural remedies:

Thyroid - Garlic and onions

Adrenal cortex stimulants (stress busters) Geranium, Pine and Rosemary

Lowers blood sugar - Eucalyptus, Juniper, Geranium

Impotence or Frigidity - Jasmine, Rose (carcinogenic free type), Neroli

Galactagogues (stimulates milk production) - Fennel

Parturient  (eases birth ) - Jasmine and Lavender

 PMS

           Days 1 - 14   Fennel, Cypress, Clary Sage and Geranium

           Days 15 - 28 Chamomile, Lavender & other relaxing oils

Menstrual regulator - Rose (carcinogenic free type)

Prostate problems: Use anti-inflammatory oils, anti-infectious and immunostimulants. Bergamot, Chamomile, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Juniper. Tea-tree every few hours during an acute attack.

Useful herbs for male reproductive system are: Yarrow and Saw Palmetto taken as an infusion. Garlic is a good addition.