EstroFem's natural ingredients include:

• Vitamin B6
  Vitamin B6 is aptly known as the body's workhorse vitamin - it is required by no fewer than 100 different chemical and metabolic processes in the body every single day!
  
  Vitamin B6 can help regulate the body's hormonal level and reduce the symptoms of menopause.
  
  
• Folic Acid
  Folic acid is famous for its ability to protect the heart and prevent birth defects. A member of the B-vitamin family, folic acid is absolutely essential for life: it is involved in cell division, muscle building, neurotransmitter production, red blood cell formation, and more.
  
  Because folic acid is secreted in urine, it cannot be retained by the body. The folic acid found in food is mostly destroyed by cooking, so it's important to obtain this essential vitamin by taking supplements.
  
  
• Vitamin B12
  Vitamin B12 helps the formation of red blood cells, proper cell division, energy production, and formation of DNA and RNA.
  
  Along with folic acid, vitamin B12 helps keep the level of homocysteine low (high levels of this molecule can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases), and prevent depression.
  
  Although most people are able to absorb vitamin B12 from food, many older adults do not produce enough digestive enzymes and stomach acid to absorb vitamin B12. It is estimated that approximately 20% of older adults in the United States have vitamin a B12 deficiency, but do not know it.
  
  
• Mexican Wild Yam
  Mexican wild yam (not to be confused with sweet yam) contains many phytohormones, including progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
  
  As declining level of progesterone can trigger many of the symptoms of menopause, supplementing this hormone by taking Mexican wild yam may help alleviate the sleeplessness, hot flashes, and other symptoms of menopause.
  
  
• Borage Oil
  Borage oil is derived from the borage plant, which has been used as early as the 1600s as a healing herb.
  
  The active ingredient in borage oil, an essential omega-6 fatty acid called gamma linolenic acid or GLA, can reduce the discomforts of menopause and PMS. This is thought to be done through GLA's action in inhibiting the production of inflammatory prostaglandins that are released during menopause.
  
  
• Dong Quai Root
  Dong Quai or angelica has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years as tonic for the female reproductive system and menstrual health. This herb contains phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) that may help compensate for the declining level of estrogen during menopause.
  
  Specifically, dong quai has been attributed as to having healing properties to relieve PMS and menstrual symptoms, and to increase energy level.
  
  
• Licorice Root
  Licorice has hundreds of potentially healing compounds, including a few notable flavonoids and phytoestrogens. This allows licorice to ease the symptoms of menopause, such as bloating, irritability, breast tenderness, hot flashes and more.
  
  
• Panax Ginseng Root
  Ginseng is probably the oldest and most famous of Chinese medicinal plants - its use span over 2,000 years of history.
  
  Ginseng has been used traditionally to boost the immune system and energy level, counteract stress, as well as improve fertility and overall health.
  
  
• Motherwort Herb
  Motherwort is actually named after its ability to treat menstrual and urinary conditions. As a tonic, it has been used to ease menstrual pain and menopausal symptoms.
  
  
• Red Clover Blossom
  Red clover herb is rich in isoflavones, a plant compound found to help relieve hot flashes in menopausal women.
  
  
• Black Cohosh Root
  Black cohosh is a popular herbal medicine used to relieve PMS and menopausal symptoms, including cramps, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, depression, sleeplessness, and more.
  
  Black cohosh seems to do this by offsetting the decline of female hormones through its phytoestrogens. Black cohosh can also ease cramps and may benefit women suffering from PMS.
  
  

Select Scientific References

• Zava DT et al. Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1998; 217(3):369-78.
• Carroll DG. Nonhormonal therapies for hot flashes in menopause. Am Fam Physician 2006; 73(3):457-64.
• Kang HJ et al. Use of alternative and complementary medicine in menopause. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2002; 79(3):195-207.
• Mahady GB et al. Black cohosh: an alternative therapy for menopause? Nutr Clin Care 2002; 5(6): 283-9.
• Shibata S. A drug over the millennia: pharmacognosy, chemistry, and pharmacology of licorice. Yakugaku Zasshi 2000; 120(10):849-62.
• Barentsen R. Red clover isoflavones and menopausal health. J Br Menopause Soc 2004; 10 Suppl 1:4-7.