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Top 5 Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes

| Modified on May 23, 2024
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Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy.

As the term suggests, hot flashes can be described as a sudden feeling of warmth. Generally, hot flashes occur most intensely concentrated on the face, neck, and chest. Miserable as they are, many women have found relief for hot flashes with remedies, including one free remedy! Apple Cider Vinegar is the best remedy for hot flashes, according to over 50 women. Other top remedies for these uncomfortable symptoms are vitamin E supplements, organic blackstrap molasses, and herbs like black cohosh and oat straw.

Symptoms of Hot Flashes

An individual experiencing a hot flash is likely to experience a reddening face and intense sweating. Hot flashes are typically considered a symptom of menopause; however, menopause is not the only cause of hot flashes.

The frequency and intensity of hot flashes vary by individual and even by day or week, yet most women who experience hot flashes have them reoccurring for at least a year. Additional symptoms of hot flashes include a spreading warmth or heat over the upper body and face, a flushed or blushing appearance, red or blotchy skin, rapid heartbeat, and sweat over the entire body. Hot flashes leave the affected individual feeling chilled as the hot moment wanes.

While the specific cause of hot flashes is unknown, the common signs and symptoms of the condition seem to be related to the effective functioning of the body's "temperature gauge" or the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus regulates the body's temperature and monitors several other basic metabolic processes. The reduction in estrogen many women experience as a result of menopause may disrupt hypothalamic function, triggering the onset of hot flashes.

While some women may never experience hot flashes, others suffer dozens of hot flashes each day. Hot flashes that occur throughout the night are particularly distressing. An effective hot flash treatment is essential to ensure comfort and health during a critical life transition.

Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is Earth Clinic's most popular remedy for hot flashes. To read more about how to take apple cider vinegar for hot flashes, ACV side effects, and reader stories, please see this page.

Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses is a simple and inexpensive remedy for hot flashes.

1-2 Tablespoons a day is a typical dose. It can be mixed into coffee, added to oatmeal, or taken straight off the spoon! Women who have ceased menstruating should keep an eye on their iron levels if they take blackstrap molasses. It has a high iron content.

On the other hand, women who experience heavy bleeding during the time of menopause may find that taking blackstrap molasses helps with anemia and also reduces the amount of bleeding.

Exercise

Some women find that regular, moderate exercise helps to reduce hot flashes. Sweating that occurs during exercise helps to rid the body of toxins. Exercise increases lymph flow, which is helpful for overall health. Exercise is also beneficial to improve mood. This is most welcome by women suffering from hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.

Herbs

Women have used many herbs for ages to help with hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Herbs can be taken as tea, infusion, capsules, or tincture.

  • Maca Root
  • Black Cohosh
  • Dong Quai
  • Wild Yam
  • Fenugreek
  • Sage
  • Burdock Root
  • Motherwort
  • Chickweed

Peppermint is a cooling herb. A glass of peppermint tea over ice is comforting for overheating. You can keep peppermint essential oil in the purse, and a drop can be placed on the back of the neck to help cool you off should you experience a hot flash when you are out. You can also add one drop of peppermint essential oil to a glass of ice water in place of herbal peppermint tea.

Susun Weed, an herbalist famous for addressing women's health issues, recommends oat straw or red clover infusion for hot flashes in her book, "New Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way." She says this will help replace the vitamins and minerals lost during hot flashes. An infusion is like a strong tea.

How to Make an Herbal Infusion

  • Add one ounce of dry herbs (oat straw and red clover) to a quart canning jar.
  • Pour just under a quart of boiling water over the herbs.
  • Cover the jar.
  • Allow to rest for 4 hours.
  • Strain the plant material (great for your compost pile or your chickens!)
  • Sweeten with honey or stevia if desired. (No artificial sweeteners, please.)
  • Drink freely throughout the day, with ice if desired.
  • This infusion will keep for 12-24 hours.

Vitamin Supplements

  • Vitamin E
  • Evening Primrose Oil
  • B-Complex
  • Zinc
  • Iodine
  • Selenium
  • Boron

Dietary Changes

Some women find that avoiding sugar and processed foods significantly affects the hot flashes they experience. Oat (oat straw) is an herb indicated for menopause, making oatmeal an excellent addition to the diet. Oatmeal is a relaxing and nourishing food.

Baths and Showers

Adding 1 cup of sea salt or Epsom salt to a bath will allow the body to absorb the minerals. Baths are relaxing for most people. But when you are taking a bath for hot flashes, be careful not to take a bath that is too warm, especially before bed.

When convenient, a cool shower will be helpful. Cold showers are a home remedy for a variety of conditions! Please see this page for more information.

Read on and learn specific details of the remedies used by our readers for hot flashes. Have you tried a natural treatment for hot flashes? Please be sure to share your experience with us!

Related Links:

Natural Remedies That Alleviate Menopause Symptoms
Perimenopause Remedies

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Acupuncture

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Posted by Kaluki (Victoria, Bc, Canada) on 07/29/2011
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Acupuncture has been very helpful in treating my temperature fluctuations, as well as fatigue, aching bones, stomach pain, and moodiness. I go to the student clinics, which are less expensive, and I find the students gentler and more willing to listen than the fully credentialled acupuncture doctors I've seen. Although that was just my experience. Unlike Western allopaths, alternative practitioners take a much more inclusive history, so expect to spend more than 15 minutes. Caution: acupuncture is not an overnight cure; it is a healing journey. And yes, sometimes it hurts, so clear communication is vital between you and your practitioner.

I only wish I'd realized what an amazing effect acupuncture would have six months ago -- I could have gone back to work months ago! :) I've been going at least twice a week, where possible, and I believe that if a person is going to try it out, that s/he should probably commit to enough time/sessions to give it a fair trial.

Good luck to you!

Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda

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Posted by Jo (Canada) on 06/10/2017
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I used ACV 2 T in tea temp water with 1/4 tsp baking soda and within 48 hrs hot flashes disappeared. Be careful with ingestion of baking soda as you do not want to lower your alkalinity too drastically. Only use for 3 weeks at a time then give your body a break.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Kay (Jackson, Ms) on 03/31/2011
 ★★★★★

I have tried the apple cider vinegar and baking soda, believe me this really works. I have been using it for 2 days now and my hot flashes are almost gone. I will tell anyone that is suffering from night sweats and hot flashes to try this for yourself. It really works.

Replied by Lorraine
(Zolfo Springs, Fl)
05/21/2011

I'm really interested in this!!!! What is the recipe for this? Thank you, Lorraine

Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Alice (Lincoln, CA) on 10/06/2007
 ★★★★★

I was feeling very bad in many different ways (mostly from anemia) when I found your site. The most pressing problem I was having was high blood pressure and water retention that had come on quite suddenly and was making me feel like I might explode. The DR gave me meds, of course, they really weren't working (avg BP 160/95 with meds)and I thought I should try other methods rather than have him raise the dosage, and besides, why was I suddenly having this problem?

I had tried ACV along with my mother many years ago when I was a teenager to help with winter athritis and sore throats, but I had forgotten about it. So after reading about it on your site, I immediately started by having 2tbls ACV 1/4tsp baking soda and a little agave nectar for sweetner in a mug of hot water. Within a couple hours of my first mug I was up and about feeling better. My grown son could not believe the transformation. He happened to come by for a visit right when I was drinking that first dose and I changed right before our eyes. I'm so glad he was here to see it so I know I'm not imagining things. I continued using it at least twice a day. The first night I felt so good in my skin, it was wonderful. It took several weeks to get off the BP meds, I had only been on them several weeks before starting ACV so I think I had not become dependent on them. Other people should be very careful about changing their BP meds, DR should monitor this. The water retention problem got better and better each day and finally disappeared after a couple weeks. Last BP check at DRs was 135/85, not bad.

Amazingly, and without me expecting it, my hot flashes that had appeared with a vengence at the same time as the high BP, completely disappeared at that first mugful. It took me a couple days to realize it, but I have not had one since, not ONE hot flash since, and they were rolling in just about one an hour, and believe me they were very thoroughly HOT.

I very patiently waited before writing in to you, and it is over 5 months later now, and I have my mug once a day or more, even while staying away from home (I have been sad to leave organic ACV behind in hotel rooms because I don't know of a good way to travel with it by air). I believe my digestion is better and elimination more regular though I would not have said before that I was particularly troubled in that area. It helps my overall sense of well-being. I can certainly tell if I haven't had some for a day-- I just feel off without it.

I have to add, though, sometimes my ACV doesn't sound good, it kind of hits my stomach funny, gives me a hollow feeling, and sometimes I feel like it heats me up, not quite a hot flash, but not desirable for someone who's had too many hot flashes. I don't know what this aversion is all about, but I manage to make myself have some, even if just a more diluted version of it and in cooler water. I am always glad that I did. After reading more, I think I will try the baking soda in water alone, or the lemon juice with baking soda in water next time the ACV just doesn't sound good.

Thank you so much for this site. I am determined to continue trying things until I feel like I remember I once felt--really well and useful.

Replied by Kolokea
(Vancouver, Wa)
11/11/2009

I use vineger and baking soda to unclog my kitchen sink. Vinegar is an acid you pour it down the sink that is plugged and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then you add the baking soda and this causes a chemical reaction. The vinegar and soda start to fizzle and break up the clog in the drain.

I have never heard of using the two to cure hot flashes. What will this do to my system over time?

I started getting hot flashes two years ago. I went to a health food store and they recommended Proestergin Cream. I checked it out on the computer and it seemed to work for a lot of people. I used the cream for 3 days and noticed immediate relief. After taking it a week my hot flashed when away. After some time I learned when I could miss or when I needed to increase the dozes. I went for a whole year without hot flashes. Now the cream isn't working for me. I have switched brands and gone from Yam extract to Soy extract...nothing works any more.

I will try the ACV tonight, wish me luck...

Replied by A1aweb
(Deltona, Fl)
01/24/2010
★★★★★

I tried the ACV and baking soda for hot flashes and it works for me. I had been having hot flashes every hour and couldn't sleep at night - this remedy is a lifesaver.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Cayenne

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Posted by Jodie (Oak Park, IL) on 05/23/2008
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My allergies were the worst ever this spring so after reading about cures on your website I decided to try ACV and cayenne. Not only did it eliminate my allergy symptoms, but the unexpected side benefits are great! My chronically runny nose -gone, constant throat clearing -gone, red rimmed eyes -gone, HOT FLASHES - GONE! My complexion is clearer and I have more energy. This is unbelievable. I use generic ACV and don't feel the need to switch to unfiltered.

Replied by Linda
(Ottawa, ON, Canada)
11/02/2008

I have just stopped taking estrogen pills, I have been on them for 5 years, now my doctor wants me off them. I have not slept for 2 weeks now,so I will try the acv for sure. I did try it many years ago for stress and I had alot of energy. I felt great, I would put 2 teaspoons of avc and one tablespoon of pure honey with one eight ounce glass of warm water. It is really not too bad to drink.

And for a UTI try one to two capsules of cayenne, the other morning I woke up at 3 in the morning with the urge to go. I never wake up in the middle of the night to got to the bathroom, and I thought to myself aw here we go again, another UTI infection. I had some Cayenne capsule so I took one in the morning and drank water all day. I took another one before supper with more water, well that was the end of that. I had been cured the same day.

My daughter told me about this site, it is great.

Linda

Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda and Magnesium

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Posted by Brooklyngurl (New York, US) on 10/10/2014 11 posts
 ★★★★★

After getting off of the Estradiol patch I started taking 2 tbsp of ACV + 1 tbsp of Magnesium + 1/4 tsp of Baking soda. I take this 3 times a day.

Life is good now. The flashes are gone. The magnesium healed the asthma and the baking soda helped with the
Acid Reflux.

***** 12/30/18 - UPDATE: I added 2 tablespoons of lemon (or lime) to this concoction and I am 6 months free of taking the Prilosec. I decreased the ACV to 1 tbsp and started taking a cayenne capsule with it. I add 8 ounces of warm water as well. This concoction has saved my life.

Replied by Joyce
(Lansdowne, Pa)
10/10/2014

What type of magnesium do you take? I can't seem to get rid of my hot flashes.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackstrap Molasses

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Posted by Penny (Wind Gap, Pa) on 01/15/2012
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Black Cohosh is good, but my physician, whom uses ONLY natural cures, also says Black Strap Molasses works well. I've used it in the past for night sweats, and it worked. But now the Hot Flashes are driving me nuts, so back onto the molasses I go. Your BEST options are to use a table spoon of ORGANIC Black Strap Molasses twice daily along with 3 Tablespoons of ORGANIC Apple Cider Vinegar With MOTHER. It must have MOTHER in it for the ACV to work its best. If you do your research, you will find that ACV with Mother has MANY other benefits as well, such as boosting metabolism, supporting the thyroid, cleansing your body, etc.... Personally, I always just took a medicine cup full of the ACV, drank that like a shot then followed by a glass of water. It burns a bit going down, but what a way to clear flem. Haha I stopped taking it for a while because I would forget, but then my symptoms stopped. Its been at least 18 months now. But the hot flashes are now back, not so much my night sweats, but the hot flashes are constant throughout the day making me feel gross scanky. Good luck to you ladies, hope that I helped a bit as well to get you through this oh so wonderful time in our lives.... NOT. Blessings!

Apple Cider Vinegar, Ginger, Stevia

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Posted by Carolyvette (Raymond, New Hampshire) on 12/21/2010
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I have been drinking a homemade ginger-stevia-acv mix and my hot flashes are still present but much lighter and last a minute or two. My night sweats are gone. Have been drinking as many as 4 glasses per day. Trying to drink as much as 8 glasses per day in hopes my hot flashes will go completely away. Ginger adds a wonderful tasting crispness. The mixture is quite pleasant to drink, better than drinking just Apple Cider Vinegar with water and honey. I use raw green stevia. Add 1 gallon of water to a large pot on top of the stove. Take a palm size piece of ginger, peel and grate. Using a hand held blade mixer is best. One you would use to mix individual drinks. Put this grated mixture in one gallon of good water, along with 1 heaping tsp. of green or white stevia. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and let simmer for 15 minutes. Let cool and using a funnel and ladle pour back into the gallon container. When cooled, put ice into an 8 oz. glass and fill 1/4 to 1/2 full, add water to top off, then add 1 to 2 tablespoons acv. You can put more or less water or Apple Cider Vinegar depending on your taste. Enjoy and good health. Oh yes and do use _____s ACV. It is available in most stores. Green stevia is bought in health food stores in bulk. :)

Replied by Special01
(Indianapolis, In, Usa)
12/22/2010

Calcium tablets and vitamin E should help with Hot flashes. Watch your sugar and caffeine intake. Both of those triggle hot flashes. My cousin will have a hot flash within 20 minutes of consuming sugar.

Replied by Singprays
(Stillwater, Mn)
07/05/2012

Ginger is wonderful in this drink however, ginger is a natural warmer which can hinder hot flash relief so use with caution. :)

Apple Cider Vinegar, Sage

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Posted by She (Richmond, Virginia, United States) on 10/28/2012
 ★★★★☆

I went off my hormone patch and progesterone as I just don't want to take synthetic hormones anymore! I drink apple cider vinegar with baking soda 3 xs a day and just started applying Clary Sage oil morning and night and that seems to help. This site is wonderful for all types of remedies.

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
10/28/2012

She, how do you apply the Clary Sage oil?

Replied by She
(Richmond, Virginia, United States)
10/29/2012

I apply it directly from the bottle usually around my lower abdomen where I use to put my hormone patch. Doesn't get rid of flashes but definitely helps!

Apple Cider Vinegar, Supplements

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Posted by Skyblueyez2 (Greenville, Sc) on 10/02/2013
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Hot Flashes: I just posted another reply a few minutes ago on another section (Remedies I think), and just wanted to let you all know that the ACV with the Mother, along with Honey, LOTS OF HONEY, seemed to work for me for about a week. Then I got sick to my stomach and had to re-live it all over again, if you know what I mean! YUCK!

I know that's not what anyone wants to hear, but when it happened, I had to start looking for something else or I might have gone CRAZY for sure! My mom's friend said vitamin E 400 IU, so off to the store I went! I just picked up the store brand of it the day before yesterday. I took one softgel 1/2 hour before dinner, and haven't had anything more than a 'warm fuzzy' since taking it just 3 times so far!

Also, bought the ACV capsules, (before I got sick), and I wasn't sure about them, but I tried it anyway today and it's been a great! I also took Vitamin C 1000MG (orange chewables), and I think this might just be the best I have felt in almost two years!

I know that we are all different, and that what works for one may not work for the other, but I highly recommend trying this combo. We really do have to keep doing what's best for us, so why not, right? I pray you will all enjoy Flash Free days and Peaceful nights from this moment on!

God Bless & keep posting! You are all so wonderful, and I am so grateful to you all for taking your time out so that I could find relief. You Rock!!

'Warm' wishes!!

Skye :-D

B Complex

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Posted by Rachel (Vienna, Austria) on 08/07/2018
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Avoid Vitamin B Complex if you have hot flashes

I started taking Vitamin B Complex -- one 500mg pill a day -- about 2 weeks ago and I noticed after a few days my hot flashes had gone from already bad to completely unmanageable with sweat pouring down my face and back. It took me another week to realize it must be the Vitamin B Complex tablet, as it is the only thing that has changed in my diet.

So, I stopped taking it and, within two days, my hot flashes were back to normal. Incredibly annoying, but minus the floods of sweat.

I would caution anyone to avoid Vitamin B Complex if you are trying vitamins for hot flash reduction, as they seem to cause them.

As for natural remedies, nothing works, and I've tried everything -- apple cider vinegar, black cohosh, parsley, various vitamins, cutting out all caffeine and sugar, exercising more, losing weight and on and on. It's now two years, and my hot flashes are worse than they were before I started. I now have an appointment with my doctor and will be going on Premarin. My mother has been taking Premarin for 35 years and has not had one problem with them. I intend to be the same, as these so-called 'natural remedies' are useless to me.

Replied by Charity
(Faithville, Us)
08/07/2018

Your mom is a lucky one. I tried a sample tube about 1.5 inches long, of Premarin and my throat swelled up around my thyroid and it remained that way for a year. Whenever I ate or drank that area was sore. Be careful with that pregnant mare urine. Blessings, Charity

B Complex + B5

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Posted by Lisa (CO) on 12/27/2022
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My hot flashes have vanished by taking a B complex in the morning, then a B-5 (pantothenic acid) midday with a little food and dinner time. The B-5 strengthens the adrenal glands, helping them to make the hormones that you need. It took about a full month for them to completely disappear, but I noticed slow improvement all month long. The B-5 capsules were 500mg each.

B Vitamins

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Posted by BRENDA (Matney, USA) on 09/13/2007
 ★☆☆☆☆

I READ IN WOMAN'S WORLD TO NOT TO TAKE B VITAMINS. MY HOT FLASHES WENT AWAY FOR AWHILE BY NOT TAKING ANY B VITIMANS. SO IT DID HELP SOME

Replied by Lynne
(London, United Kingdom)
07/24/2008

I have recently started having the most awful hot flushes going literally dripping wet after a shower and after putting on make up. My hair goes flat and lifeless. I have noticed on your site that B vitamins have an effect on your hot flushes and I take them. I shall stop the B vitamins and multi vitamins and try apple cider vinegar (I used to take it for reflux and its great). I will then report back whether or not this has worked.

Replied by Marleiza
(Barbados, W.I.)
04/26/2010

Hi,

I read about taking B complex increases hotflashes. This happens to me and I would like to know why. Can someone explain why?

Regards,
Marleiza

Replied by Sue
(Liverpool, Uk)
04/11/2011

I have suffered for a very long time with hot flashes and they are getting me down. I have just taken my my very first ACV so will let you know how I got on. Thank you to everyone for your useful information, hopefully no more flat hair days. Sue Liverpool UK.

Replied by Ttsm
(Melbourne, Florida)
08/18/2012

B Complex contains Niacin and Niacin taken in high doses can cause flushing.

Bach Flower Remedies

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Posted by Kalki (Mumbai, India) on 07/19/2011
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My friend was recommended Bach Flower Remedies for her hot flashes - at least 30 in the daytime, hardly 2-3 hrs of sleep due to hourly hot flashes - of very severe intensity. She was given Walnut, Rescue Remedy and White Chestnut initially. Within 3 days there was a difference in the number but not so much in the intensity. After 2 weeks, when she ran out of the remedy mixture, a review was taken and Oak given as it was indicated by her reaction to the hot flashes - that is, one should buck up and carry on and not be deterred by it all. She is a reliable person and gets more than her fair share at work and within the extended family. Scleranthus was also added as she went from cold to hot within seconds and had mood swings also.

It worked miracles. She is free of hot flashes for the first time in 4 years. It's been a month now and she has been advised to continue for at last 2 months before seeing if she can discontinue them. I've since looked it up in the Net and books and find Walnut on its own is usually good enough. But my friend also needed her character remedies.

Please don't go in for HRT or other therapy for want of an alternative. These remedies are supposed to be very gentle. I thought I would pass on this info on behalf of my friend.

Beets and Olive Oil

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Posted by Clatterbuck (Beltsville, Md) on 05/24/2018
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Editor's Choice

I seem to have cure my hot flashes and night sweats quite accidentally. I had to start taking antihistamines for something else and I noticed that I was not having hot flashes anymore. I stopped taking the antihistamines and the hot flashes started up again. I was curious so I googled hotflashes and antihistamines and sure enough Zyrtec has done a study showing that women reported fewer hot flashes when they took antihistamines. Well I didn't want to take antihistamines for a long period of time so I did some more googling and I found several website that say hot flashes are caused by too much histamine in your body. Apparently your body creates a chemical called DAO which manages histamine production but DAO production goes down when your estrogen starts to fluctuate.

The sites said that you can increase DAO production with consuming beets, olive oil, pea shoots, and increasing your vitamin C intake. I now eat a beet every day and cook with olive oil. I also moisturize my hands and feet with olive oil. I also have to avoid my histamine triggers which are alcohol, chocolate and picked or fermented foods. I feel cool and comfortable now. I hope this helps someone else.

Replied by beverly
(texas)
02/22/2022

I find your response very interesting. I have often thought I had high or fluctuating histamine levels due to chronic allergies and respiratory problems..also gastric problems. I also suffered from severe hot flashes for years even on HRT meds. They are lessened now but still have them. Thanks for your insight. I will be doing more research.

Histamine produces many varied effects within the body, including the contraction of smooth muscle tissues of the lungs, uterus, and stomach; the dilation of blood vessels, which increases permeability and lowers blood pressure; the stimulation of gastric acid secretion in the stomach. High blood histamine levels will cause chronic health conditions.


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