Finding Balance Naturally: How Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs Ease Menopause Symptoms

Menopause is a natural life transition, but for many women, it can bring uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, insomnia, and fatigue. While hormone therapy can help, not everyone can—or wants to—take that route. Fortunately, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers time-tested, natural options that are gaining strong scientific support: acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

The Holistic Approach

In TCM, menopause is seen as a natural shift in yin and yang balance. As yin (cooling, nourishing energy) declines, heat symptoms such as hot flashes and irritability often arise. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs aim to restore balance by calming internal heat, supporting kidney and liver function, improving sleep, and promoting emotional stability.

What the Research Shows

Modern studies increasingly validate what ancient practitioners have long observed—acupuncture and herbal medicine can meaningfully reduce menopause symptoms.

Acupuncture:

• A meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials involving 869 women found that acupuncture significantly reduced hot flash frequency and severity, and improved overall quality of life.

• An NCCIH-funded trial found that women receiving acupuncture experienced a 36% reduction in vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) compared to usual care, with improvements in sleep and mood as well.

• In other studies, acupuncture's benefits often lasted up to three months after treatment—suggesting a lasting rebalancing effect.

Chinese Herbal Medicine:

• A review of 19 clinical trials with 2,469 women showed that Chinese herbal formulas were as effective as hormone therapy in relieving menopause symptoms, but with fewer side effects.

• Compared to placebo, herbal medicine significantly improved hot flash severity, sleep quality, and emotional well-being, as measured by standard tools like the Kupperman Index.

• There are many traditional herbal formulas that focus on nourishing yin, cooling internal heat, and restoring hormonal equilibrium naturally. These formulas have demonstrated their effectiveness for thousands of years… literally, thousands of years!

  
  

Why This Matters

These results offer real hope for women seeking a natural, safe, and effective alternative to hormone therapy. Acupuncture and herbs not only address physical symptoms, but also help reduce stress and improve sleep—two key factors that influence hormonal balance and overall vitality.

At The Center, every treatment is customized based on your individual pattern and health history. Typically, we combine Traditional Chinese Medicine with Functional Medicine to create your personalized treatment plan. Some the main tools we use in supporting our clients include:

• Acupuncture to balance hormones, calm the nervous system, and reduce heat.

• Herbal formulas tailored to your specific symptoms.

• Nutritional supplements also tailored to your symptoms and specific blood chemistry.

• Dietary guidance blending both Chinese medicine principles as well as Western and Functional medicine recommendations.

• Lifestyle suggestions to mitigate any taxations on your systems and optimize your mind and body to achieve and maintain balance.

Together, these therapies aim to restore harmony from the inside out, rather than simply masking symptoms.

Reclaim Your Calm and Confidence

If menopause has been affecting your comfort, sleep, or sense of balance, there are natural ways to help you feel like yourself again. Schedule a consultation to discover how our holistic approach of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and functional medicine can support your body's natural transition with grace, ease, and vitality.

Call us at (919) 848-0200 to schedule.

Article by Quinn Akira Takei, Doctor of Oriental Medicine(NM), Licensed Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist, Functional Medicine Practitioner, and Holistic Health & Wellness Coach.

The Center: Natural Health Specialists, 8404 Six Forks Road, Suite 201, Raleigh, NC 27615. (919) 848-0200. www.TheCenterNHS.com