Many women use herbal remedies to treat menopausal symptoms. Moreover majority of these women believe that these herbal remedies are natural products without risk but the fact is that herbal medicines have pharmacological actions.

Prolonged use of such medicines can lead to dangerous side-effects.

Most women use Black cohosh, red clover, Dong quai, evening primrose oil and ginseng to ease hot flashes, sleeplessness and diminished sex drive in the belief that they are natural products without risk.

Ike Iheanacho, editor of the journal Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin said that an estimated 30 to 70 percent of women in industrialized countries experience menopause-related symptoms caused by a sharp fall in estrogen levels. On average they last for around four years but for some women they persist much longer.

Iheanacho's review of previously published studies, scientific commentary and other sources found mixed evidence on whether black cohosh relieved menopausal symptoms effectively and no strong data showing red clover extract works. Moreover there is little scientific evidence that herbal remedies commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms work, and some may be dangerous if taken along with other treatments.