How does Naturopathy give Relief from Hot Flashes experienced around Menopause?

What are hot flashes?

• A sudden feeling of warmth spreading through the chest, neck and face.
• Skin that looks flushed and blotchy.
• Fast heartbeat.
• Sweating, mostly on the upper body.
• Night sweats, waking up drenched in sweat,
• Feeling chilled as the hot flash lets up.
• Feelings of not being at ease, anxiety.

On average, people who have hot flashes have them for more than seven years.

What are the complications of hot flashes?

Hot flashes may be mild. Or they can be so strong that they disrupt daily activities. Nighttime hot flashes, also called night sweats, may wake you from sleep and can cause long-term sleep loss. Research suggests that people who have hot flashes may have a higher risk of heart disease and greater bone loss than people who don’t have hot flashes

(source https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/symptoms-causes/syc-20352790)

What Causes Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes, also known as flushes, are a hallmark symptom of menopause. Most research suggests that these, are triggered by hormonal changes, primarily a significant drop in estrogen. Lower estrogen causes the body’s heat manager, the hypothalamus, to respond:  thinks the body is too warm and starts a chain of events in the form of a hot flash to cool down.

(Source: https://www.next-health.com/post/hormone-imbalances-causes-hot-flashes-as-symptoms-more)

Rarely, something other than menopause causes hot flashes and nights sweats. Other causes may include medicine side effects, problems with the thyroid, some cancers and side effects of cancer treatment

Naturopathy Insights on Hot Flashes

1. A dehydrated body makes the body dry, triggering hot flashes

   A dehydrated body is a hot body. Dehydration is of two types: one is simply a lack of water, that can make the body dry from inside. Second is the dehydration of electrolytes: sodium, potassium. The Sodium-Potassium disbalance does not just make the body dry but also triggers significant other changes, blood pressure and headaches being the obvious ones.  Potassium is of more significance here as it can also be called the cooling electrolyte.
   Low potassium singularly can also cause sweating in the face.

2. There is a link between Fat/Dense Breast and Hot flashes
   

   With some of our clients we have noticed a somewhat different phenomenon.

   It is not the fall in estrogen but rather an excess of estrogen largely stored in the breast tissue, that is seeking release as sweating. Estrogen production and storage takes place in the fat cells in addition to the ovaries. So, if someone already has or due to peri-menopausal or menopausal hormonal disbalances starts developing dense fatty breasts then the natural mechanism of the body to release this estrogen will be to sweat out the fat molecules. Temperature rises more in the upper body areas causing profuse sweating mainly in the armpits and also the neck and face.

   If one pays enough attention, estrogen laden sweat has a distinct smell. 

Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes

Naturopathy can be successfully used to alleviate many of the menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Natural remedies include incorporating what we call a ‘menopause diet’ alongwith certain basic naturopathy treatments.

1. Fennel/ Moti Sauf
   

   Fennel helps in relieving the 3 vasomotor symptoms: hot flash, night sweats and sweating. Iranian traditional medicine uses fennel in the management of depression and anxiety, vaginal atrophy, bone density, fat distribution, and osteoporosis (all of which are common in woman nearing or post menopause)

   Have as:
   
   Fennel Tea: 2-3 teaspoon of seeds in 1 litre of water, boil for 5 minutes. Cover and stand for 15 minutes and then strain. Have a cupful 2-3 times a day.

   Caution: Not to be used in case there is already an estrogen dominance, symptoms of which can include fibroids, uterine polyps, issues with endometrium, etc.

2. Cucumbers & Beetroot
   

   The humble cucumber goes a long way in cooling the body and restoring fluid and electrolyte balance in your body. Especially recommended for those who alongwith hot flashes also experience thyroid (hypo) disturbances and low blood pressure.

   Have as:

• As raw salad or as a snack in between meals, 3-4 cucumbers daily
• As a juice mixed with beetroot. 50% Cucumber & 50% beetroot. Squeeze a little lime before drinking. Can have upto 500 ml daily. Best on an empty stomach.
  As a green juice. Take 2-3 large cucumbers or 3-4 small ones. Add 1 green herb: 30-40 leaves of basil or a fistful or fresh corriander.
  While cucumber replenishes your potassium and iodine reserves, beetroot flushes your lymph. Fresh basil and corriander cool the kidneys. You want to keep your lymph very clear specially if there are any incidences of growth: fibroids, fat nodules, lymph node. The green juice is most recommended if you experience pelvic inflammation.

3. Fenugreek/Meethi
   

   Most recommend for those who are experiencing significant breast discomfort: pain, hardness, swelling, discharge with hot flashes or as standalone symptoms.

   To have in every season

• • Soak 1 full teaspoon of fenugreek seeds overnight ( 8-10 hours) in a glass of water after washing. Drink this water and eat the seeds first thing in the morning (after morning water). Sometimes breast issues and hot flashes can also cause inflammation of upper respiratory track, which can be felt in breathing or swallowing. In these cases also eat the overnight soaked or sprouted fenugreek seeds.
  • Sprout 2 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds. Sprout till it grows a long white tail and then eat either standalone as a snack of add to any raw salad or yogurt raita.

           In Cold Season

• • Best as a lightly cooked Saag with some oil or malai (light cream)
  • Fenugreek leave juice is also consumed in winter season but should be done under supervision.

Caution: For those with high blood pressure, make sure to simultaneously monitor your blood pressure. Compounds in fenugreek extract may increase testosterone levels by blocking the body from converting it into other sex hormones, leading to moderate increase in blood pressure.

4. Cold Hip & Spinal & Sitz Baths
   

   Investing in a naturopathy hip bathtub after age 40, is a worthy investment. Best way is to either go to a naturopathy centre or consult a naturopath and let them teach you how to use this tub for a hip bath, spinal bath and sitz bath.

   When heat is generated more by electrolyte disturbances, or extreme heat anywhere else in the body cold hip bath regularly will helps most.

   When sweating is mostly around the head, forehead and face, sitz and spinal baths will be most useful. These can be taken alone or combined with some spacing.

   Caution: Not recommended/under guidance for those with bone and nerve disease.