There is a natural cure for female hot flash, at least for most women. Because of the health risks associated with hormone replacement therapy or HRT, many women seek alternative treatment for hot flashes and night sweats. Researchers have evaluated many of these treatments.

For many years doctors only recommended HRT for women bothered by hot flashes and night sweats, but that trend is changing. Even though most doctors prefer not to suggest herbs and botanicals, black cohosh is now recommended as an alternative treatment for hot flashes and night sweats. Even the North American Menopause Society lists black cohosh as something that may help.

At one time women's clinics relied on equine estrogens and synthetic progesterone to help women with menopausal symptoms, but now the better clinics evaluate a woman's lifestyle and diet, before writing a prescription. Lifestyle and dietary changes may take time and some women find them frustrating.

Botanicals like black cohosh can help ease this transitional period. If a woman's lifestyle is an issue, she may not need to take black cohosh on a long-term basis, but research has shown that it does not increase the growth of estrogen sensitive breast and uterine cancer cell lines in the laboratory. So, if a woman does need to take it for many years, there is believed to be no health risks associated with its use.

Black cohosh is a natural cure for female hot flash in many cases, but there are other botanicals that can help if black cohosh proves to be ineffective. Many doctors are not familiar with the following herbs and botanicals, but clinical research has shown that, at least for some women they are somewhat effective.

Isoflavones are plant compounds that have an estrogen-like effect on a woman's body. Soy and red clover isoflavones are the most commonly seen. As an alternative treatment for hot flashes and night sweats, research has shown that dietary supplements containing soy isoflavones reduce symptoms by as much as 80%.

Mood swings trigger hot flashes in some women. There are botanicals like St. John's Wort and 5-HTP that help stabilize moods. Either of these may be an effective alternative treatment for hot flashes and night sweats. Most herbalists recommend that St. John's Wort should not be taken continuously for more than a few weeks, without a week off. One of the compounds found in St. John's Wort builds up in the liver and is not recommended for people with liver disease of dysfunction. No adverse reactions are believed to be associated with 5-HTP. It is similar to tryptophan, but the manufacturing process is safer.

Tribulus terrestris is a botanical that has been used by athletes and bodybuilders to increase endurance and stamina. Laboratory evaluation seems to indicate that the body can use tribulus to create hormones. Contrary to what some people believe, not all of a woman's hormones are produced by the ovaries. The body can make what it needs from other hormones, if they are present. Balancing hormonal levels is believed to be a natural cure for female hot flash.

There are other herbs that have been used historically to correct hormonal imbalances. Sarsasparilla and red clover are two that were used historically by Native Americans to correct symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances. Some supplement companies blend together several herbs, botanicals, plant component and vitamins to provide women with an alternative treatment for hot flashes and night sweats, as well as the many other symptoms that may be associated with menopause. To learn more about them, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.