Q. I started taking cinnamon to regulate my blood sugar. (I do not have diabetes, but I want to keep it that way.)
A very surprising side effect was that my hot flashes have subsided tremendously. Have you heard of this?
A. We could find no published research in the U.S. on the use of cinnamon to ease hot flashes. This spice seems to be part of a traditional treatment in China and Japan, however, and is being studied at the University of Minnesota.
Some readers report benefit from French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol). One woman wrote,
“At 48, I went off the pill due to migraines and within two months menopause began. I was having hot flashes all day. I could deal with those, but not with the loss of sleep caused by hot flashes all night long. I read about Pycnogenol, bought some and became hot flash free within days.”
For more information about other natural ways to control blood sugar and menopausal symptoms you may be interested in Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. It is available in libraries, bookstores and online at www.peoplespharmacy.com.
