Of all the menopausal symptoms that you’re likely to experience, we can probably all agree that hot flushes are one of the worst ones of them all. They can strike at any time and they can continue making their presence felt for years – and they can be really hard to disguise, which can leave you feeling pretty self-conscious as you go about your day.
However, the good news is that there’s a lot you can do to help keep your symptoms under control and keep those dreaded flushes at bay, everything from making dietary changes and prioritising sleep hygiene to getting more exercise on a regular basis.
But… there is a little secret weapon you could also consider stashing away in your arsenal and that’s sage! Yes, we’re talking about the humble herb – although it seems that it may not be quite so humble after all and, as well as being a very tasty addition to all sorts of yummy recipes, it can also potentially make your flushes more manageable. Music to our ears!
Interestingly, there are over 900 different types of sage (who knew?) and it’s been used for thousands of years as a way of healing all sorts of ailments, with the ancient Egyptians and the Greeks both using it to aid recovery.
In fact, it takes its original name (salvia officinalis) from the Latin ‘salvare’, which means ‘to heal’, so it seems that the Romans were switched onto its purported benefits, as well!
Over the years, it’s been used to treat a wide range of illnesses, everything from digestive and circulatory issues to inflammation, coughs, excessive sweating, respiratory diseases… and even hot flushes during the menopause, you’ll be pleased to hear.
There’s a growing body of research that suggests sage is particularly useful for menopausal women, so if you are finding it hard right now, it could certainly be worth giving it a go.=
In 2016, for example, a clinical study was published substantiating the use of sage during the menopause, finding that fresh sage preparations did have clinical value in the treatment of hot flushes and other menopause-related symptoms.
It’s not entirely clear as yet just how sage is so effective in this regard, but it’s thought that it might be down to the level of oestrogenic flavonoids present in the herb, or the modulation of some neurotransmitters that help to ease hot flush symptoms.
Whatever the science is behind it, we’re just glad it works for so many of us – and if you are finding it heavy going right now, it could certainly be worth trying it out to see if it’s effective for you.
Just a quick note to bear in mind before you hit the sage… it contains a volatile oil called thujone, which can have a convulsive effect when taken in large doses. This neurotoxin is especially concentrated in essential oils so make sure you never take these oils orally to be on the safe side.
And also make sure that you don’t drink too many cups of sage tea, as it can potentially cause tachycardia, vertigo and seizures. If you’d like any further help or advice before you begin your sage adventure, get in touch with me today for some added reassurance.