Nearly 30 percent of women use alternative therapies to treat the symptoms of menopause. Today, the nation's largest group of gynecologists released recommendations on herbal and plant-based remedies. Watch Rhonda Mann's Report

Forms of Botanical Preparations

Bulk Herbs -- used as powders to make teas. Powders can be put in capsules or compounded into tablets

Oils -- highly concentrated, usually used externally

Tablets -- provide a fixed, or metered dose

Tinctures -- concentrates added to water or placed directly under tongue

Menopause Information

The Mind Body Institute at Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center

Read more about natural products for menopausal symptoms

Facts About Menopause

Statistical Facts About Menopause

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

North American Menopause Society

NewsCenter 5's Rhonda Mann reports that more women are turning to botanical alternatives to help ease the symptoms of menopause. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released new guidelines aimed at helping doctors counsel their patients about their safety and effectiveness. The report notes that soy-rich foods may alleviate hot flashes for the first two years of symptoms, but taking excessive amounts of soy supplements may increase the risk of cancer. "If you eat soy in your diet, as a food substance, there's no real danger, but it's not recommended that you take this as a pill form," Leslee Kagan of Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center's Mind Body Institute said. The new guidelines also report:

• Black cohosh may help control hot flashes in the first six months;
• St. John's wort may work in the short term for mild to moderate depression, but it might interact with other drugs;
• and the Chinese herb Dong Quai has no known benefits and may be toxic.

Menopause experts at the Mind Body Institute say that it's important for women to discuss all these therapies with their doctors before taking them. "There are interactions that can happen with other medications," Kagan said. "Some of these preparations will decrease the effect of other medications you're on, even cardiac medications." The recommendations are based on the little bit of clinical data collected on plant-based therapies. Doctors are also urged to write in their patient's charts which therapies they may be taking and report any adverse effects to the FDA.