Abstract
Introduction: Approximately three-quarters of menopausal women experience vasomotor symptoms, with hot flashes being one of their main complaints. Due to the side effects of hormonal treatments such as estrogen in controlling this condition, many women prefer to use herbal medicines. Therefore, this study was conducted to review clinical trials investigating the effects of herbal drug on hot flashes in menopausal women.
Methods: This systematic review used the main search terms, including “hot flashes”, “herbal medicine”, and “menopause” along with their synonyms from medical subject headings (MeSH) and EMTREE. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering studies from 2014 to 2024.
Results: Thirty-one clinical trial studies, with a total sample size of 2660 menopausal women, were examined. The results indicated that herbal medicine such as Humulus lupulus L. (Hop), Rheum ribes root (Rhubarb), a combination of Agnus Castus, magnolia, and soy isoflavones, Hypericum perforatum, chlorogenic acids (CGAs), fennel, Silybum marianum, lavender, Saliva officinalis, Vitex agnus-castus, Black cohosh, Evening primrose, a combination of fennel-valerian, herbal tea, kudzu flower, licorice, Nigella sativa and Vitex combinations, Schisandra chinensis, grape seed proanthocyanidin, soy isoflavones, Fenugreek Husk, and Capsicum frutescens L. (Solanaceae) were effective in reducing the intensity, frequency, or duration of hot flashes through different mechanisms.
Conclusion: Overall, herbal medicines seem to have a positive impact on menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and may be used as an alternative to hormonal treatments without having adverse effects on breast and uterine tissues. However, future research should consider both the effects and side effects of these herbal medicines.