Hormone therapy may provide the quickest relief for your hot flashes, but they also offer the greatest possibility for adverse side effects. Finding natural cures for hot flashes will provide both much needed relief and a general sense of well-being. Before you head out to the health food store or naturopath there are a few natural cures for hot flashes that you can try on your own.

First, get yourself a good journal. Even if you’re not a fan of journaling, it will significantly reduce your trial and error period. Begin by charting when your hot flashes occur, what you ate or drank beforehand, what you were doing at the time and how you felt. It’s also advantageous to chart the actual hot flash: the level of intensity and duration will give you invaluable insight into finding natural cures for hot flashes.

It may seem obvious, but “hot” things tend to trigger hot flashes. Natural cures for hot flashes include avoiding not only “hot” things, but any other personal trigger. The following is a list of common known triggers:

• Hot Food
• Hot Beds
• Hot Tubs
• Hot Rooms
• Saunas
• Hot Showers
• Hot weather
• Spicy Food
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Caffeine

You may find that you’re avoiding triggers and still need relief for your menopause symptoms. There are other natural cures for hot flashes that will bring you some comfort. Here are some suggestions:

• Start with your wardrobe. If you can’t change your internal thermostat you can at least control your outer environment. Dress in open-neck shirts. They allow for more air flow than turtlenecks.

• Even if you have your hot flashes relatively under control you will still experience sweating. Avoid synthetic fabrics. Fabrics such as cotton and linen will help keep you cool and dry.

• An even more obvious tip is to have cool water available at all times. A glass of cool water at the onset of a hot flash has been known to curb the intensity of the hot flash.

• Feel free to turn down the temperature! If you’re hot, and able to adjust the temperature of your surroundings – do so.

• Keeping with the natural fiber theme – also use cotton sheets. Many women experience night sweats and cotton sheets will be more comfortable.

• If cotton sheets and water on the nightstand are still not enough, buy a bigger bed. This way your spouse won’t get drenched in the middle of the night.

• And if a hot flash hits you while grocery shopping fake a love for frozen spinach. Open that door up and stick your head in. Hey, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do!

If you’re experiencing menopause you’re having hot flashes. They are uncomfortable and for some women agonizing. With the aid of a journal and a few sound tips you can employ natural cures for hot flashes that will serve you well for quite some time.

Tags: menopause, hot flashes, hot flash remedies, relieve hot flashes