Discussions about alternative herbal remedies focused on phytoestrogens . Weed
(1999) wrote that phytoestrogen s are naturally occurring compounds found in certain
plants, herbs, and seeds that have a molecular structure similar to that of steriodal
estrogens. When Avis et al. (1993) compared the extent to which menopause differed
across three populations, it was found that Japanese women reported lower rates of hot
flashes than Canadian and American women.Avis et al. hypothesized that the lower rates
of hot flashes in Japanese women may be due to their low fat diet. Diets high in grains,
fresh fruits, and vegetables are high in phytoestrogen s (Weed, 1999). One group member
shared that she had been using wild yam cream to treat her symptoms of hot flashes.Wild
yam is a phytoestrogen-rich herb (Weed, 1999). According to Weed, “wild yam creams
outsell all other menopausal products and are generally considered to be alternative medicine’s
alternative to prescription estrogen” (p. 274). Other alternative herbal remedies
discussed included evening primrose and vitamin E, soy products, and ginseng. I emphasized
to the group members that more research is needed on alternative products and that
not all alternative herbal remedies have been tested to ensure consistency (North American
Menopause Society, 1999).