What are Hot Flashes? How do I stop Hot Flashes?

Hot Flash Symptoms and Natural Remedies

What are hot flashes?

Hot flashes are feelings of intense heat not produced by external sources. Feelings of increased heart rate, redness, flushed, tingling of fingers, and sweating of the upper body are common symptoms. Hot flashes are due to the activation of your sympathetic nervous system, also known as your “flight or fight” response. This system wants to bring as much blood to your brain and large muscles like your legs so you can run. But no worries! There are plenty of natural remedies can be taken or performed to help trick your body before it goes into an all out hot flash. 

Acupressure

P7 – The P7 acupressure point is located on the wrist crease between your two tendons. An easy way to find it is to follow the P6 point from where my wristbands normally go on your wrist until you get to your wrist crease and that’s your P7 point. You can move one of my bands up to that point to help alleviate hot flashes, excessive sweating, and shivering. 

H6 – This stands for the “heart 6” point and helps to alleviate anxiety, irritability, and night sweats. As a vaso-vagal point, it helps calm and decrease the heart palpitations associated with anxiety-induced hot flash symptoms. Vaso-vagal points basically have the reverse effect that anxiety has on your body. They calm your nervous system, slowing your heart rate and breathing.

Other Natural Remedies 

Estrone - This is a plant-based estrogen. Studies have shown that taken at 0.7-2.8 mg/day it can help reduce hot flashes. 

Evening Primrose Oil - Omega fatty acids are very important for overall heart health. We mainly consume Omega 3, fish fatty acids, but lack GLA Omega 6 which is plant-based. Evening primrose oil contains seeds with mainly GLA Omega 6 fatty acids. When taken in concentrations of 2-8 grams per day some studies have shown it reduces the intensity of hot flashes. Evening primrose oil is often sold in 1000mg concentrations, so you may have to take two tablets a day.

Vitamin E - Can help reduce mild hot flashes when taken at 12.5mg in the evening at least 1 hour before bedtime. 

Licorice Root - Studies over 8 weeks showed that 330mg of licorice root helps to reduce hot flashes. 

Valerian Root – This is well known for its relaxing sleep properties, but it is also helpful at 255mg three times a day for decreasing hot flashes. Trials have shown that incorporating Valerian root into your daily routine will decrease the frequency and severity of your hot flashes. 

Essential Oils

Peppermint Oil - Has a cooling sensation which distracts your brain and calms the excessive signals its sending due to the activation of your sympathetic nervous system. This is why it is the chosen essential oil in NoMo Nausea. Changing the temperature especially at specific acupressure points will help send a cooling signal to the brain and your body will slow down the sweating and eventually break the hot flash.

Lavender - It has already been proven to help get a better night’s sleep, which is why it is the chosen essential oil in our newest line NoMo Sleepless Nights! Lavender oil helps you get to REM sleep. But how does this relate to hot flashed and night sweats? Well, once you are in REM sleep, you are less likely to have night sweats. So, if lavender helps you get to REM sleep faster, your body won't produce night sweats unless disturbed.

Citrus- Research in 2014 found that smelling citrus oil helped to decrease systolic blood pressure, decrease heart rate (a natural vaso-vagal), and improve estrogen concentrations in post-menopausal women. Since this is a vasovagal it can help calm your symptoms during your hot flashes.

Basil - Hot flash help oil is here! Basil, when inhaled and rubbed on the bottom of the feet is great to reduce hot flashes. And BONUS, it smells great too.

Always remember that diet, exercise, and a healthy way of life is the best recipe for postmenopausal women. I hope all of these little tips will help you get the relief you need. Keep a journal and try adding one item at a time. You may find something or a combo works because let's face it, we women are all different.