Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

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.

Borax

Posted by Katzie (Canada) on 05/11/2021
★★★★★

Hi Drifter (who posted in 2012 on the body odor page),

If you're like me and still getting hot flashes, try Borax! I bought a box of 20 Mule Team Borax, dip my finger in it 1x/day, and swirl it into my water bottle and shake. It is odorless and tasteless, and the only times I get more than a flash here or there is when I run out, like I am now. My hot flashes went from a 6 out of 10 down to maybe a 2. It's weird buying something from the laundry aisle to take internally, but be assured that borax or boron is merely mined from dried up salt-water beds. There's one in CA that has enough to supply the world for hundreds of years! So the stuff is cheap and amazingly wonderful on mitigating hot flashes! Best of luck, fellow hot flashers!

Vitamin E

Posted by Rena (Mineral Bluff, Georgia, Usa) on 08/23/2009
★★★★★

I am a 48 year old woman have recently started having hot flashes and night sweats. I had no idea how uncomfortable they would be, until it finally happened. I could not sleep because of the constant heat coming and going. During the day, I would have at least 5 episodes of them, but at night I would suffer at least 10 episodes, with constant interruption of sleep. I tried the raw apple cider vinegar with no success. So next I tried the vitamin E. All I had in the cabinet was 1000IU so that is what I took. I must say it worked on the first night, and the second night, so I feel safe in saying it really works. I take it at night about an hour before bed, Peace, Rena.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda

Posted by A1aweb (Deltona, Fl) on 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.

B Complex

Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 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

Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda

Posted by Jo (Canada) on 06/10/2017
★★★★★

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, Baking Soda and Magnesium

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.

Borax

Posted by Waycool (Modesto, Ca/ Usa) on 10/22/2012

I love this! I don't have to go on hormones! Here is a quote on Boron/Borax -which might help you with hot flashes:

"Research has now shown that boron supplementation in postmenopausal women doubles the blood level of the most active form of oestrogen, 17-beta oestradiol, to the level found in women on oestrogen replacement therapy. Equally, the blood levels of testosterone more than doubled (7). With HRT there is a higher risk of breast or endometrial cancer which is not known to happen with hormones produced by the body as with borax supplementation." - health-science-spirit.com

Dietary Changes, Cool Showers, Acupuncture

Posted by Jackie (Atlanta, GA) on 02/13/2012
★★★★★

Hot flashes are THE WORST! I just got through several months of absolute hell! I got some great herbs from a chinese medicine woman in Atlanta and took them for 4 days- and the flashes were gone!

Mine were as severe as can be- she also gave me the food guidelines- and even after they left- I kept up with all of the above to keep them away.

What worked for me is below:

1) Go gluten free- NO WHEAT. There are alot of great gluten free products on the market including pasta, crackers and bread that make this do-able.

2) Avoid SUGAR- nothing with cane sugar - try to go easy on fruit also because it is very high in sugar

3) NO ALCOHOL at all until you get the hof flashes in order (this is the worst because I LOOVVVEEEE wine! ) - this is probably the worst culprit and made a huge difference.

Once you get the flashes in order- if you need a glass- just 1/2 glass occasionally.

4) According to Chinese Medicine- the kidneys need to be strengthened- that is the reason for the urinary urgency. I think to get the urinary urgency part in check- you need chinese herbs.

5) Really pay attention to your food - you would be surprised how much of a difference this makes- EAT COOLING FOODS:

Meats- Fish and Pork are cooling- Beef, Shellfish and Chicken are heaty and will make you hotter than you already are.

Vegetables- no potatoes, carrots, these are heaty foods- go for green veggies and squash which are cooling. I got amazing relief from eating Green Cabbage.

Rice- Brown Rice, not white

Fruits- go easy- if you need fruits- blackberries are good- just things lower in sugar

Juice- No Orange or citrus juice- if you must have some juice- drink apple. Watering down is good too.

NO SPICY FOODS at all. No cinnamon, nutmeg- both are warming.

NO CAFFEINE

6) Take cool showers- I do a warm shower then end with making it as cold as I can stand it.

7) Acupuncture helps also- I do this weekly to balance hormones

8) For me- the fatigue was because I was napping through the flashes at night and not getting enough sleep. It is important to try to get some sleep- try to read at night instead of watching TV or being on the computer- that riles you up more.

9) The sadness of the life shift passed once I stopped sweating to death, and once my body got back in balance. It feels like you are dying- but it is really that your body is trying hard to balance itself and needs assistance. It will get better.

Acupuncture

Posted by Kaluki (Victoria, Bc, Canada) on 07/29/2011
★★★★★

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

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.

Vitamin E

Posted by JOYCE (NAMPA, IDAHO) on 02/25/2009
★★★★★

I AM A 56 YR OLD FEMALE AND BACK WHEN I WAS IN MY 40'S I WAS TAKING HORMONES FOR MY HOT FLASHES AND NIGHT SWEATS. WELL, IT STOPPED WORKING FOR ME SO MY DR TOLD ME TO TRY 1000 UNITS OF PURE VITAMIN E (STANDARDIZED). NOT ONLY DID IT TAKE AWAY THE HOT FLASHES AND NIGHT SWEATS, IT MADE MY SKIN SOFT ALL OVER.YOU MAY WANT TO START WITH HALF THE DOSE AND WORK YOU'RE WAY UP IF YOU HAVE NO RESULTS. VITAMIN E IS GOOD FOR ALL KINDS OF THINGS.ALL I KNOW IS IT WORKED FOR ME AND MADE MY LIFE ALOT BETTER. NOW I TAKE 400 UNITS EVERY OTHER DAY AS A MAINTANCE PROGRAM.YOU CAN APPLY IT TO SORES AND DRY PATCHES ALSO AND THEY HEAL FAST.

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Suzy (Chrisman, Illinois) on 07/14/2008
★★★★★

Hi, I just had to tell you what a blessing your site is! I just started using two tablespoons of molasses daily for my arthritis and hot flashes.Wow I just can't believe it works !!! Within two days my pain has almost gone away and no hot flashes and as an added bonus I have so much more energy! I am 53 and I don't feel or act like I am ,any longer!! God bless who ever came up with these {inexpensive} remedies. I am going to try some of thr rosacea remedied, I hope they work too. Thanks. Suzy

Lemons

Posted by Ccb (Santa Barbara , California ) on 03/24/2016
★★★★★

I would like to let people know what I have found, I have tried everything, could not tolerate Apple Cider Vinegar, so I started eating lemons and taking shots of bottle lemon juice. I also drink lemon water and take shots during the day, this is day and night 5. Not one hot flash, after 6 months of misery.

Boron

Posted by Charlotte (Simpsonville, Sc, Usa) on 01/21/2013
★★★★★

I have been a fan of Earth Clinic for years and I would like to help other women who are going through menopause with their hot flashes. If you are only getting minimal help with black cohosh and other estrogenic herbs, please try the mineral Boron. I take 3 mg per day and from day one the hot flashes and sweats were practically gone. So ladies, if you're still in "Flame On" mode, then give Boron a try. I don't believe you will regret it. It's especially cheap. I use a brand in an amino acid chelate form. Here's to putting out the flames!

Essential Oils

Posted by Tina (Houston, Usa) on 10/22/2012
★★★★★

I resolved hot flashes very quickly using good quality essential oils on the body.

1. Soak in sea salt baths once daily. Upto 20 mins of soak with atleast 1 lb sea salt in the water.

2. Take a shower with soap and water after this.

3. Dry off, and liberally apply lavender essential oil, or a combination of lavender, tea tree and rose oils (1:1:1) on your front and back solar plexus, heart, navel chakras. (Google to find a pic of these chakras so you understand locations).

4. Re-apply oils upto 4 times daily, and especially before bedtime and upon waking up.

This combination of oils (after salt baths) adds green and pink prana to the aura, and this in turn keeps the chakras in a normal size. This prevents the body from getting hot flashes.

Nothing has helped resolved my hormonal issues aka hot flashes like this protocol.

And please, find therapeutic grade essential oils, because this stuff gets ingested into the body, so quality is crucial.

Good luck, I KNOW you will be free of hot flashes after this. Tina

Dietary Changes

Posted by Liz (Adelaide, Sa) on 02/12/2012
★★★★★

This works for me for hot flashes - . No sugar, avoid processed food. Give it a try, just for 2 days and you will see a difference

Vitamin E

Posted by Madeline (Jersey Shore, New Jersey) on 09/14/2010
★★★★★

I used 1000IU of vitamin E and on the first night I noticed a big difference. I have continued and will continue because it work. Vitamin E 1000IU for hot flashes try it.