AIBU to see a herbalist?

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Posting here for traffic really.

I'm meeting with a herbalist today and I don't really know what to expect. I have early menopause and the symptoms that go with it and want to explore alternative options rather than taking HRT or an anti-depressant (which is being recommended as an alternative to HRT).

Has any one got any experience of taking herbs as a treatment?
AIBU to think this could actually be an alternative?
Any other alternatives to HRT that anyone can recommend?

My dear friend saw a herbalist after an early menopause (medically confirmed) and credits him with her pregnancy a year later.

And you know what herbs are made of? Chemicals.

My experiences of herbalists are all postive.

Thirty years ago tea tree products were 'alternative'.
Now they are used by the NHS.

Keep us all updated with your progress please.

Trialling a months treatment which is the same cost as a HRT prescription, so will see. The lady is so convinced I will see a difference, I can't help but be "sold" by it. If anyone can change my sleep pattern (or non-sleep pattern as the case may be) and general anxiety, I will be happy with that. She seems to think that if she solves the core problems (stress / anxiety) I'll see a difference with other things going on ie menopause.

Will update you paxtecum thanks

Don't go expecting miracles. If herbal medicine worked it would be called medicine and the NHS would be prescribing it.

But the placebo effect is very powerful and might help you enormously with your anxiety and insomnia.

Please properly research anything you are given to take though. Natural/herbal does not automatically equal safe.

Herbal medicine usually does work IMO - from what I've read. It often doesn't have as strong an effect as pharmaceutical drugs though.

GPs aren't required to know about most herbal medicines and they don't have time to investigate less serious health concerns of their patients - which will often be helped by herbal medicines. They can only prescribe medicines on the list of approved drugs. Hopefully, more herbal medicines will be sufficiently researched to make it on to the NHS list in time.

(St John's Wort is prescribed by GPs). And should not be taken with some other medications.

If herbal medicines have an effect, they can have side effects!

Yes. Best to consult a herbalist!!!