Some teas for menopause, like black mulberry tea, St. John’s wort tea or chasteberry tea, contain substances that can stabilize hormone levels. They can help to relieve menopause symptoms like mood changes, hot flashes, or vaginal dryness.
Menopause is a phase in a woman’s life cycle that generally starts between 45 and 51 years of age. It marks the end of fertility, as the ovaries slow down estrogen production and menstruation comes to an end.
Teas for menopause can be a great natural option for relieving symptoms. Be sure to speak to your gynecologist or a medicinal plant specialist before starting any new teas, as some may be contraindicated for women with a history of breast cancer or for women undergoing cancer treatment. Read more about menopause symptoms that tend to emerge during this phase.
Check-out a list of our menopause tea recipes below:
1. Black mulberry tea
Black mulberry tea is made with the medicinal plant Morus Nigra, which contains phytoestrogens. This can help to regulate hormonal levels and relieve menopause symptoms like decreased memory, lack of energy, mood changes or insomnia.
Ingredients
- 10 fresh black mulberry leaves
- 1 liter of water
How to prepare
Wash and chop the leaves. Boil the water then add the leaves. Allow to steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink throughout the day.
Black mulberry is also available for purchase at pharmacies or natural health stores in capsule form.
Black mulberries are not advised for women with gastrointestinal problems (like gastritis or ulcers), hyperthyroidism, anxiety, insomnia, cardiovascular disease or renal disease.
2. Siberian ginseng tea
Siberian ginseng tea is rich in eleutherosides, which have antidepressant action that can improve mood and boost libido.
This tea can also help women to adjust to changes in hormonal levels, which can reduce stress and boost energy levels.
Ingredients
- 1 cm of siberian ginseng root
- 200 mL (1 cup) of water
How to prepare
Place the ginseng and water in a pot and boil. Allow to soak for an additional 5 minutes, strain and drink while warm.
Ginseng tea should not be used by women with a history of high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, cardiac disease or mental disorders.
3. St. John’s wort tea
St. John’s wort tea is rich in hypericin and hyperforin, as well as flavonoids, biflavonoids and naphthodianthrones. These help to reduce or improve menopause symptoms, like depression or hot flashes.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon (2 to 3 g) of dried St. John’s wort
- 250 mL of water
How to prepare
Pour the water and St. John’s wort in a pot and boil, then allow to steep an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain and drink while warm 2 to 3 times per day, after meals.
St. John’s wort should not be used by women who are taking antidepressants like sertraline, paroxetine or nefazodone.
4. Chasteberry tea
Chasteberry tea, made with the medicinal plantVitex agnus-castus, is rich in flavonoids, diterpenes and glycosides. These have an effect in LH and FASH, which can lead to better hormonal regulation and relieve symptoms like mood changes and insomnia.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of chasteberries
- 300 mL of water
How to prepare
Add the chasteberries and the water to a pot and boil for 3 to 4 minutes. Then cover and allow to steep an additional 10 minuets. Strain and drink up to 2 cups per day, while warm.
Chasteberry tea should not be consumed by women undergoing hormonal replacement therapy, nor by women who take birth control or sex hormones.
Chasteberry can also be found in pharmacies in capsule or pill form.
5. Black cohosh tea
Black cohosh tea, made with the medicinal plant Cimicifuga racemosa, contains flavonoids, glycosides, tannins and volatile oils which have a similar effect as to some depression medications (e.g. fluoxetine or sertraline). This can help relieve menopause symptoms like hot flashes, excessive sweating, anxiety, mood changes or insomnia.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of dried black cohosh leaves
- 180 mL of water
How to prepare
Boil the black cohosh leaves in the water and then allow to steep for an additional 3 minutes. Then strain, allow to cool and drink 2 to 3 times per day, after meals.
Black cohosh tea can also be found in pill form, which can be purchased at pharmacies.
6. Sage tea
Sage tea, made with the medicinal plant Salvia officinalis, is rich in substances like alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounded and terpenes. These can help to treat hot flashes and night sweats that can occur as a result of hormonal imbalances from menopause.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of salvia leaves
- 1 cup of water
How to prepare
Boil the water then pour into a cup. Add the salvia leaves to the cup and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain, wait for it to cool, and drink 1 cup, three times per day.
Salvia tea should not be used by women with epilepsy, as some studies show that this plant can trigger epileptic seizures.