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Please be aware that the study of the therapeutic ramifications of taking any medication, including herbal supplements, is far from an exact science. Some sources, presumably in an effort to present an impression of providing responsible, guarded and cautionary advice, present a mountainous list of “possible” side effects, interactions and contraindications for which they neither quote, nor can we find, supporting evidence. Others simply steer clear of the subject..
Hopefully we have steered a middle course. Where there are well-established precautions to be observed we have pointed those out. Where sources make statements for which there is no supporting evidence we have not included such statements.
We value our reputation as a provider of reliable, high quality and non-sensational and non-alarmist information on the therapeutic value of herbs. That includes advice on adverse side effects and interactions with other medications where they is evidence to support such advice.
We strongly suggest that you seek professional advice on the use of herbal supplements if they are to be used to treat a specific condition, rather than as a dietary supplement taken to improve one's general feeling of wellbeing. If you do seek advice, please do so from someone who is qualified to advise on the therapeutic ramifications, good and bad, of using herbs for medicinal purposes. That would have to be a qualified herbalist or, ideally, an ND, a Doctor of Naturopathy, if you can locate one ( this link might help).Furthermore, we point out that statements regarding any products mentioned on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration of the USA or the equivalent statutory authority of any other country. The products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. Again we emphasise that you should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your health care professional
dong quai, 
chasteberry, 
maca, 
diamana, 
pasque flower, 
green tea, 
panax ginseng, 
siberian ginseng,
ginkgo biloba, 
wild yam
avena sativa, 
horny goat weed, 
spirulina, 
barley grass, 
wheeat grass, 
kava, 
licorice, 
gentiana lutea, 
saw palmetto
"for relief of menopause symptoms"
enhances sexual drive"
"helps naturally encourage sexual desire"
"for menopausal women with low estrogen"
supports female fertility"
"eases menstrual pain and other discomforts like PMS"
"promotes balance of female hormones and emotional health during menopause and perimenopause"
"help for premenstrual syndrome."
"for relief from menstrual symptoms".
"works to balance hormone levels."
Today, women, more so than men, are taking greater personal responsibility for their own, and in many cases, their partner's, health outcomes.
For example, it is clear that more women are becoming disenchanted with Hormone Replacement Therapy to relieve the symptoms of menopause There is a growing awareness also that the wretched mood swings related to menstruation can be handled effectively with natural remedies. The management of uncontrollable periodic mood swings related to hormonal changes peculiar to women no longer have to be, and no longer are, the province of synthetic drugs.
Leading the category of herbs for women is the herb of choice for menopausal symptoms which undoubtedly is
Black Cohosh. Its track record leaves no doubt about its efficacy and we have found no herbal supplements for the relief of menopausal symptoms that do not include it. The benefits of Black Cohosh can be complemented with Wild Yam and
Pasque Flower, and
Chasteberry is another herb with a reputation for maintaining hormone balance during menopause. Mood swings, and feelings of depression and anxiety are problem
areas where
Ginkgo Biloba,
Kava and
Pasque Flower can be helpful.
As well as lightening emotional downs
Ginkgo Biloba is well known to enhance cognitive function; the
Ginsengs all have a reputation for supporting sexual function and fertility,
Damiana is used as an aphrodisiac as is
Avena Sativa (unfortunately named Wild Oats) and
Epimedium Grandiflorum (even more unfortunately carrying the common name of Horny Goat Weed)
Other herbal ingredients include
green tea for its antioxidant properties,
rhodiola for energy, the "superfood"
spirulina, the mineral and vitamin laden
barley grass and
wheat grass, and the versatile
licorice root
Of course most of those herbs have multiple therapeutic effects and you can learn more of
those details by following the links to our herb database. These are all herbs that are used
in the products described on this page, selected as typical examples of the many herbal
supplements available on the market today that address women's concerns
continued on column 3.......
.....continued from column 1
other herbs which are of particular benefit to women are chasteberry and the ginsengs.
Chasteberry has been used to restore a normal estrogens to progesterone balance. It has been shown to not only ease, but also in time, actually cure premenstrual syndrome, which has been linked to abnormally high levels of estrogens, especially if symptoms tend to disappear when menstruation begins.
The ginsengs are known to be effective, when taken regularly, in regulating the menstrual cycle. Panax ginseng has been used to tone the uterus in preparation for implantation of the foetus after conception Ginseng may also help the body deal with physically and mentally stressful exposures such as heat, cold, physical exhaustion, viruses, bacteria, chemicals, extreme working conditions, noise, and pollution. This article cites a study published in the April issue of American Journal of Epidemiology where ginseng has been linked to better breast cancer survival.
Ginseng has antioxidant properties, as has green tea The health benefits of green tea, in fact have been the subject of much recent debate. Its antioxidants have been clearly demonstrated to be highly beneficial to the heart by helping prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed a significant inverse relationship between the consumption of green tea and cardio vascular disease
Ginkgo Biloba is perhaps the most widely used herbal treatment aimed at augmenting cognitive functions--that is, improving memory, learning, alertness and mood. Germany recently approved the extract for treating dementia.
Studies in Scandinavia and the former Soviet Union have shown 
Rhodiola Root also to be effective in improving cognitive function. It is also used by herbalists to boost the immune system, enhance athletic performance, promote weight loss, and relieve stress.
Kava is used to relieve stress, anxiety, and tension, sleeplessness and menopausal symptoms. The most common effects of the herb, which, I stress, should be taken under supervision and with considerable caution because it has been linked to liver damage in some patients, are relaxation, mild euphoria, and feelings of peace and contentment.
Other herbs included in supplements targeting women are barley and wheat grass and spirulina. 
Between them they contain a wide array of minerals, vitamins, proteins, antioxidants and nutrients. The details of these are to be found in the relevant herb pages. 
Spirulina, in particular is regarded as a “superfood” . It contains vegetable protein, all the essential amino acids, the antioxidant beta-carotene and is rich in iron, magnesium and trace minerals.
Supplement manufacturers experiment with combinations of all of those herbs and others to improve women's health and well-being.
The supplements reviewed above represent a small sample of those available and I have selected them because, firstly, their herbal ingredients are openly advertised (this is not always the case) and, secondly, the known properties of their ingredients are relevant to the health issues they claim to address.