| Supplement | Amount | Why |
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Asian Ginseng | 200 mg per day of standardized extract |  [2 stars] One trial found that Asian ginseng helped alleviate psychological symptoms of menopause, such as depression and anxiety. |
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Black Cohosh | 20 mg of a highly concentrated herbal extract taken twice per day | [2 stars] Studies have shown black cohosh to be a safe and effective treatment for women with hot flashes associated with menopause. |
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Black Cohosh and St. John's Wort
(Depression) | Two tablets twice a day for 8 weeks, then one tablet twice a day for 8 weeks, each tablet supplying 1 mg of triterpene glycosides from black cohosh and 0.25 mg of hypericin from St. John's wort
| [2 stars] Menopausal and depression symptoms improved in post-menopausal women after they took a combination of black cohosh and St. John's wort.
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Maca | 2.5 to 3 grams per day for 6 to 12 weeks | [2 stars] Traditionally used for balancing female hormones, maca appears to be beneficial in treating menopausal symptoms. |
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Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) | 60 to 200 mg per day | [2 stars] In a double-blind trial, perimenopausal women who took Pycnogenol experienced reduced menopause symptoms.
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Progesterone | Apply enough topical cream to provide 20 mg of the supplement to the skin daily | [2 stars] Progesterone, either natural or synthetic, has been linked to improved hot flashes, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and sexual functioning, and quality of life. |
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Red Clover | 80 mg of isoflavones daily | [2 stars] Red clover is an herb with weak estrogen-like actions similar to soy. In one study, isoflavones from red clover reduced the frequency of hot flashes in postmenopausal women. |
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Sage and Alfalfa | 4 to 6 grams daily of dried herb or equivalent | [2 stars] Supplementing with sage leaf and alfalfa extract completely eliminated hot flushes and night sweats in 20 of 30 women in one study. |
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Schisandra | Refer to label instructions
| [2 stars] In a double-blind trial, supplementation with an extract of Schisandra chinensis improved symptoms related to menopause, compared with a placebo. |
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Vitamin E | Refer to label instructions
| [2 stars] Vitamin E may help reduce menopause symptoms. Many doctors suggest that women going through menopause try vitamin E for at least three months to see if symptoms improve. |
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Alfalfa | Refer to label instructions
|  [1 star] Alfalfa, an herb with weak estrogen-like actions similar to the effects of soy, has traditionally been used for women with menopausal symptoms. |
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Blue Vervain | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Blue vervain is a traditional herb for menopause. |
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Burdock | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Burdock is an herb with weak estrogen-like actions similar to soy. In one trial, a formula containing tinctures of licorice, burdock, dong quai, wild yam, and motherwort reduced menopause symptoms. |
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DHEA | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] DHEA improves the response of brain chemicals (endorphins), which are involved in sensations of pleasure and pain. Supplementing with it may improve mood symptoms. |
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Dong Quai | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Dong quai is an herb with weak estrogen-like actions similar to soy. In one trial, a formula containing licorice, burdock, dong quai, wild yam, and motherwort reduced menopause symptoms. |
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Flavonoids | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] A preliminary trial reported that a combination of vitamin C and the flavonoid hesperidin helped relieve hot flashes in menopausal women. |
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Flaxseed | 2 tablespoons of flaxseeds twice per day
| [1 star] Supplementing with flaxseeds may improve the frequency and severity of hot flashes in postmenopausal women.
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Licorice | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice is an herb with weak estrogen-like actions similar to soy. In one trial, a formula containing licorice, burdock, dong quai, wild yam, and motherwort reduced menopause symptoms. |
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Magnesium | 250 to 500 mg per day | [1 star] In a preliminary trial, supplementing with magnesium significantly decreased the frequency of hot flashes in women experiencing menopausal symptoms after breast cancer treatment. |
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Motherwort | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Motherwort is an herb with weak estrogen-like actions similar to soy. In one trial, a formula containing licorice, burdock, dong quai, wild yam, and motherwort reduced menopause symptoms. |
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Sage | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Sage may reduce excessive perspiration due to menopausal hot flashes during the day or at night. It is believed this is because sage directly decreases sweat production. |
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Soy | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Some research has found soy isoflavones may help reduce certain menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, and support mood and thinking performance. |
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St. John’s Wort | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Supplementing with St. John’s wort may improve psychological symptoms, including sexual well-being, in menopausal women. |
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Vitamin C | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] A combination of vitamin C and the flavonoid hesperidin were reported to relieve hot flashes in menopausal women. |
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Wild Yam | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Wild yam is an herb with weak estrogen-like actions similar to soy. In one trial, a formula containing licorice, burdock, dong quai, wild yam, and motherwort reduced menopause symptoms. |
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