3 Herbs for Vaginal Dryness Examined: How Science Says They Can Help
You don’t want to talk about it, but you can’t ignore it.
It hurts just to walk.
Just the thought of sex is painful.
Vaginal dryness is more than bothersome, at times it can be downright unbearable.
We’ve all been there.
But how can I cure my vaginal dryness with natural herbs?
This guide will examine:
- The causes of vaginal dryness
- Scientific support for treating vaginal dryness with the 3 most common herbs
- How to increase natural lubrication beyond the use of herbs; and
- How Chiavaye can add to the benefits of using herbs for vaginal dryness.
Table of Contents
- What Causes Vaginal Dryness?
- Discomforts of Vaginal Dryness
- What Can I Use for Vaginal Dryness?
- 3 Common Herbs for Vaginal Dryness, the Science, and How to Use Them
- Beyond Herbs for Vaginal Dryness: How Can I Increase My Natural Lubrication?
- How to Use Chiavaye to Add to the Benefits of Using Herbs for Vaginal Dryness
What Causes Vaginal Dryness?
Vaginal dryness has many causes, but doctors and scientists agree that vaginal dryness is most commonly associated with a decrease in estrogen levels.
The ovaries produce the hormone estrogen which helps keep vaginal tissues thick and moisturized. A drop in estrogen can leave vaginal tissue feeling thin and dry, affecting over half of post-menopausal women aged between 51 and 60.
Estrogen levels can drop as a result of:
- Menopause
- Childbirth and breastfeeding
- Oophorectomy
- Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiation
- Anti-estrogen medications for endometriosis and breast cancer
- Tobacco use
In other cases, vaginal dryness can be caused by:
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants
- Stress and anxiety
- Endometriosis
- Some autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren’s syndrome
- Feminine hygiene products such as douche or personal lubricant
Discomforts of Vaginal Dryness
If you’re reading this, most likely you are very familiar with the symptoms of vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy:
- Vaginal itching
- Irritation
- Burning
- Frequent vaginal and urinary tract infections
- Discomfort during physical activity
- Pain during sex
Almost 20% of women aged 18-50 and 25% of women aged 50-59 experience vaginal dryness and pain during sex.
If you’re reading this and nodding your head yes to those pesky symptoms, you’re not alone.
Adding a personal moisturizer and lubricant that is 100% all natural, vegan, organic, and chemical-free to your arsenal of treatments will provide some immediate relief.
What Can I Use for Vaginal Dryness?
Many products combat vaginal dryness through the use of natural herbs like:
- Shatavari
- Aloe vera
- Linseed
- Red clover
- Sea buckthorn oil
- Black cohosh
- Dong Quai
Let’s take a look at the 3 most recurrent herbal ingredients found in vaginal relief supplements.
3 Common Herbs for Vaginal Dryness, the Science, and How to Use Them
- Black Cohosh
- Dong Quai
- Linseed (Flaxseed)
Herb for Vaginal Dryness: Black Cohosh
The herb Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a plant also found to be used historically by Native Americans as a dietary supplement to help improve the symptoms of women experiencing menopause symptoms, including:
- Vaginal dryness
- Night sweats
- Heart palpitations
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
Related to the buttercup plant family, it’s also been used as a treatment for arthritis and muscle pain.
The Science of How Black Cohosh Can Help Vaginal Dryness
Black Cohosh is one of the most popular herbs for vaginal dryness. It has been identified to contain a compound called fukinolic acid, which contains properties that behave similarly to estrogen. This key component has many calling it a natural remedy to hormone therapy.
Despite its popularity, a review of studies has found inconsistencies in the dosage, formulation, or plant species, making it difficult to measure the effectiveness of the herb.
Given the irregularities in the quality of most studies included in the review, scientists still believe there is reason to conduct further studies on the usefulness of Black Cohosh against vaginal dryness.
How to Use Black Cohosh for Vaginal Dryness
Prepared from its root and underground stems, Black Cohosh is typically sold as a dietary supplement in:
- Powder
- Pill
- Pessary form; or
- Liquid extracts for oral consumption.
Chinese Herb for Vaginal Dryness: Dong Quai
Dong Quai (Angelica archangelica) is a fragrant perennial plant with greenish-white flowers, typically grown in Asia.
Dong Quai is among the most favored Chinese herbs for vaginal dryness. It has been used to treat female reproductive problems including:
- Vaginal dryness
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Hot flashes
- Other menopausal symptoms
Related to the carrot family, Dong Quai has also been known to have anti-inflammatory properties that help with joint problems, fatigue, high blood pressure, and infections.
The Science of How Dong Quai Can Help Vaginal Dryness
Those practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine have used Dong Quai, also known as the “female ginseng”, as an essential herb for thousands of years.
Dong Quai contains an agent called coumarins, which opens the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily. Herbalists believe that along with its anti-inflammatory properties, Dong Quai can increase the quality of your blood.
Although Dong Quai has long-standing use in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the benefits have not yet been proven by sufficient clinical studies to provide conclusive evidence in the Western medical world.
Traditionally in Chinese herbal medicine, many herbs are used in combinations that are meant to counteract the side effects of each other. For example, Dong Quai is often paired along with Black Cohosh.
Alternatively, two independent studies examining the combination of Dong Quai with other herbs found a significant decrease in night sweats and hot flashes.
How to Use Dong Quai for Vaginal Dryness
The name, Dong Quai, refers specifically to the root which can customarily be bought and prepared:
- Dried, boiled, and strained as tea or soup
- Ground into powder to be mixed with boiling water
- In oral pill form
- Extracted and used as an essential oil or drops in food
Herb for Vaginal Dryness: Linseed (Flaxseed)
You may also recognize this nutritious food as Flaxseed.
Linseed is used as a supplement to combat:
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
- Bone loss
The Science of How Linseed Can Help Vaginal Dryness
Much like soy, Linseed is rich in phytoestrogens, a plant-based female hormone. Phytoestrogens mimic the estrogen in your body to supplement the estrogen hormone you may be lacking.
In a 3-month study of 140 menopausal women self-reporting various menopausal symptoms, those taking linseed noticed a decrease in symptoms and reported an overall increase in quality of life.
Still, an analysis of 11 other studies of the effectiveness of linseed on the frequency and severity of hot flashes, reported an improvement in symptoms equal to those who had taken a placebo.
Today’s clinical research may be inconclusive, but studies continue on the use of linseed as a natural remedy for vaginal dryness.
How to Use Linseed for Vaginal Dryness
Natural linseed can be added to meals but should be ground (or chewed) to release the phytoestrogens. The recommended daily dose of ground linseeds is 25 grams.
It’s advised against buying pre-ground linseed oil as the phytoestrogens in the oil oxidize after only two weeks. Freshly ground linseed oil should be stored in an air-tight container and consumed within the two-week window.
Beyond Herbs for Vaginal Dryness: How Can I Increase My Natural Lubrication?
Now that you know all about the most common herbs for vaginal dryness, here are 5 more ways to increase natural lubrication:
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Practice pelvic floor exercises.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid douching.
- Use all natural, chemical-free personal care products.
How to Use Chiavaye to Add to the Benefits of Using Herbs for Vaginal Dryness
So you want to enjoy sex again… or maybe just go for a walk without the pain.
The problem is most personal lubricants and moisturizers have a ton of added ingredients that cause more unwanted side effects and don’t serve you.
After reading about all the ways you can help combat vaginal dryness, the last thing you want to do is put more chemicals on your body.
So why not try Chiavaye’s all natural, vegan personal moisturizer and lubricant to help keep your vagina healthy, find relief from your vaginal dryness, and give you the boost you need in the bedroom.