Today, women, more so than men, are taking greater personal responsibility for their own, and in many cases, their partner's, health outcomes.
For example, it is clear that more women are becoming disenchanted with Hormone Replacement Therapy to relieve the symptoms of menopause There is a growing awareness also that the wretched mood swings related to menstruation can be handled as effectively, sometimes more effectively, with natural remedies. The management of uncontrollable periodic mood swings related to hormonal changes peculiar to women no longer have to be, and no longer are, the province of synthetic pharmaceutical drugs.
Leading the category of herbs for women is the herb of choice for the relief of menopausal symptoms, which undoubtedly is Black Cohosh. Its track record leaves no doubt about its efficacy and you are unlikely to find herbal supplements for the relief of menopausal symptoms that do not include it. The benefits of Black Cohosh can be complemented with Wild Yam and Pasque Flower, and Chasteberry is another herb with a reputation for maintaining hormone balance during menopause. Mood swings, and feelings of depression and anxiety associated with menopause are problem areas where Ginkgo Biloba, Kava and Pasque Flower have established therapeutic benefit
As well as lightening emotional downs Ginkgo Biloba is well known to enhance cognitive function; the Ginsengs all have a reputation for supporting sexual function and fertility, Damiana has been used traditionally for centuries and is still used as an aphrodisiac as is Avena Sativa (unfortunately named Wild Oats) and Epimedium Grandiflorum (even more unfortunately carrying the common name of Horny Goat Weed)
Other common herbal ingredients in supplements for women include green tea extract for its antioxidant properties, rhodiola for energy, the "super food" spirulina, the mineral and vitamin laden barley grass and wheat grass, and the versatile licorice root.
Before using herbal supplements claiming therapeutic properties specifically beneficial for women, find out what is in them and research the properties of their ingredients. Importantly, make yourself aware of any undesirable side effects they might have and interactions with other medications you might be taking. These are simple precautions, well worth the effort because the information is readily available.
Take responsibility for your own health.


Ian Finlayson is author of The Herb Spiral and several other web sites dealing with the properties of specific herbs, and is a regular writer of articles and reviews on medicinal herbs and herbal products. For information specifically dealing with women's herbs and formulas go to this page on The Herb Spiral site.