The menopause – once a taboo subject – is now more widely discussed. A recent survey of more than 2000 women found that most women experience menopause symptoms which affect them negatively at work.
Indeed, the menopause is a challenging time in a woman’s life, both physically and emotionally. From awful anxiety, fatigue, headaches, aching joints and nausea, the menopausal symptoms that women suffer from are wide and varied. While HRT is typically the go-to therapy for managing the effects of menopause, what you drink for your tea break could help too.
A research review by scientists on the Tea Advisory Panel (TAP) has found that certain herbal teas (also known as infusions) can support sleep, cognitive performance, heart health, bone health and nervous health. These are health aspects seriously impacted by the menopause.
The review, published in the Journal of Nursing and Women’s Health, found that there was good evidence from human studies that German chamomile tea could help manage poor-quality sleep. Other recent research has also identified benefits for turmeric, green and lemon balm, and hibiscus teas. The reason could be clinical and brain effects of plant-based compounds, including polyphenols, found in herbal infusions, 5 of which we explore here…
Chamomile Tea For Sleep
Macbeth – in the famous Shakespearean play – may have said that he will ‘sleep no more’ but this is a reality for millions of women going through the menopause. More than eight out of 10 women reported difficulty sleeping, according to a UK Parliament survey, with more than seven in 10 blaming nights sweats.
Women’s health expert and a member of TAP, Dr Catherine Hood, says: “Sleep is the foundation of good health. The Herbal Infusions and Women’s Health review found that drinking a cup of German Chamomile tea everyday can aid relaxation and promote better quality sleep. The tea has mildly sedative properties which helps the body to regulate sleep.”
Read: 5 of the best natural sleep supplements
Hibiscus Tea For Heart Health
Menopause doesn’t cause heart disease, but it’s known to increase the risk of high blood pressure and raised cholesterol levels – independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases
Drinking regular tea is well known for its heart health properties and this could extend to some types of herbal infusions. Dr Carrie Ruxton, from the Tea Advisory Panel says: “A research review, published in Food & Nutrition Technology Journal, found that 2-3 cups of Hibiscus tea daily can significantly lower blood pressure.
Green Tea for Bones & Joints
The fall off in oestrogen levels during the menopause removes the protection women naturally have against bone loss. While tea can’t boost hormone levels, there is evidence that drinking green tea protects against age-related bone mineral loss.
A large study from Korea found that women who drank no green tea had an 80% increased risk of bone loss compared with women who drank green tea 1-3 times a day over the past 12 months. Dr Hood adds: “TAP’s Herbal Infusions and Women’s Health review also noted that drinking spearmint tea improved pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis”.
Turmeric Tea For Brain Fog
According to the aforementioned study of 2000 women suffering from menopause symptoms in the workplace, three quarters (75%) of women going through menopause say they experience problems with memory or concentration. This, and other symptoms, add to feelings of stress.
Natural health expert, researcher and chemist, Dr Tim Bond and a member of the independent expert group, TAP, comments: “A clinical study found that curcumin – the active compound in turmeric tea – gave participants a 28% improvement in memory tests over the course of the study, while those who took the placebo showed no significant changes in memory. Those who received curcumin also reported slight improvements in mood”.
Lemon For Balm Anxiety
Almost seven in 10 women (69%) report feelings of anxiety during menopause, which can have a crippling effect on workplace and social confidence. Studies show that drinking lemon balm tea could be helpful for anxiety and depression, according to a combined ‘super study’ published in Phytotherapy Research journal. The authors concluded: “Based on meta-analysis results, lemon balm significantly improved mean anxiety and depression scores compared with the placebo”.
The Bottom Line
It seems that tea can be part of the solution for menopause management. These five herbal teas offer benefits that could be helpful for managing menopause symptoms or keeping the body healthy during this time of change for women. Overall, tea and herbal infusions are part of a healthy lifestyle for women as they go through menopause.
