Remedies for Menopausal Symptoms

Q. Are there certain remedies that may be taken for the difficulties of later years?

There are certain herbal remedies that may be taken for the difficulties which manifest during the late years of a woman's life. For example, you may use the root of ginger to stimulate the development of hormonal secretions. It is very good for toning but in the later years more is required to bring about a balanced and healthy aging. This may be a very productive period in a woman's life. It is particularly conducive to sadhana, but when the hormones are shifting there may be some discomfort. So teas may be taken to tone and balance the hormonal secretions and then herbal preparations may be taken to steady the hormonal variations. Osteoporosis comes where there is too little estrogen, too many pituitary secretions. In order that this disease does not strike, it is essential to control this hormonal tendency. Now it may be done through artificial replacements but it can also be done through certain herbal preparations that will cause the hormonal system to make adjustments. The root of cactus plants, the leaf of bay laurel, and the juice of the pomegranate all have properties that are beneficial to hormonal adjustment in the menopausal phase. Take in small quantities on a daily basis for a long life.

Now for osteoporosis, daily exercise is beneficial as well as the milk of goat. Cow may be used but goat is better. I think if there is a choice to be made, it is better to take the goat milk as it is more quickly assimilated. To eat the meat of animals is not good in these years.

But for some women despite precautions, hormonal shifts are most distressing and must be controlled through some substitution, either hormonal or herbal. Much can be done through control of diet. Now you must seek some consultation from a knowledgeable person in this field. I am not a physician.

Hot flashes are like the fever in a child. It comes to express physical stress. But it is not due to external stress but the stress on the physical structure of alterations in hormonal secretions. If it is tolerable, there is no harm. If it becomes excessive then due to discomfort, help may be sought. It is neither good nor bad. It is the result of biochemical and neurological stimulation due to hormonal surges. But for some women it may become most uncomfortable. If this happens then some relief may be required. But for most women, there is no need to suppress this symptom. I think this is clear.

Take one or more than one type of herbal tea, but not combined. If it is the juice of pomegranate, it is to be taken in small quantity. The leaf may be used in cooking or tea. The cactus can be made to pulp and sweetened then taken in small amounts each day. They are all beneficial to the female organs and give some hormonal stimulation.

It is good to do the kaoshiki-dance in the early morning or in the night. It will help to give hormonal balance as well as spiritual ideation. If the mind of a woman in these years is strongly focused upon the supreme entity, the lymph production will be enhanced. Without the monthly cycle there may become a rich supply of the subtle psychic food so that sadhana will be enhanced and life force increased. If this occurs, then physical structure, hormonal structure are affected and become subdued, the hormonal hills and valleys tend to even. Therefore, sadhana is beneficial in the later years not only spiritually but physically as well.

The pituitary may become enlarged causing imbalance in entire physical structure creating bone loss, artificial heat, and excess hormonal development in some areas, sleeplessness, and all manner of discomforts in the physical and psychic sphere. This may be very minimal for most women, but for some this hormonal over-secretion may be significant and a hazard to both physical and psychic health. In these cases it must be controlled through some hormonal stimulation that will replace the estrogens and reduce pituitary secretions, thus creating a normal balance. Asanas may be helpful for this also. For a woman in the menopausal phase it is good to do bow, yoga mudra, fish, shoulder stand, the asanas that give overall balance.

There is no difference between one person and another except those created in the mind. If you wish to know truth, know the Self that is beyond all variation in this mundane world. These physical differences are rooted in the physical universe. But the psychic variations are caused by variations in the psycho-spiritual realm. So make the mind even through sadhana and the physical structure will follow. A great opportunity exists in these years. Utilize it.