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[Dorothy]

I have been having trouble with dry eyes (and other areas!) and someone recommended Sea Buckthorn Oil for this.  I wondered if any other ladies have used this, and if it worked, how long they took it before noticing a difference?  I know that with some supplements, they have to be taken for several weeks to take effect.

[pepperminty]

Hi Dorothy,

Sorry to hear you are getting dry eyes and others bits too.
I understand that you are wanting to do things naturally , but there is no evidence that these herbal remedies work unfortunately. I see no reason not to take it as long as it is sold in reputable outlets and has been tested (,but if you are unsure seek clarification from your GP), as some herbal supplements can have adverse effects .
You are probably better off going to your GP to check your eyes and maybe give you some drops. The soreness down below can be successfully treated with  oestrogen cream or vagifem , and only tends to get worse if left.
I don't want to put you off taking them , it maybe worth a punt and I hope it does work for you.

Peppermintyxx

[GypsyRoseLee]

Sorry you're struggling Dorothy.

These 'natural' remedies are actually no more 'natural' you know than bio indentical HRT.  I don't understand this aversion to HRT based on the assumption that it isn't natural to us and is highly chemicalised.

Bio identical HRT is 'just like its name suggests' identical to the hormones our body produces naturally. And the compounds are derived from plants. What could be more natural than that?

In 2007 the Professor of Complementary Medicine at Exeter University concluded that black cohosh was the 'only' supplement proven to have 'some' effect on menopausal symptoms.

[Dorothy]

I don't have an aversion to HRT - at the moment, I would drink weedkiller if I thought it would help! - it's just that my previous doc didn't believe I needed anything as menopause was 'natural so just put up with it' and I didn't bother fighting it as I was so close to moving house.   I have just moved and am jumping through hoops to get an appointment with my new doc - registration process is so complicated that I think I will have died of old age by the time I actually get an appointment!  And I am aware I may have to fight for HRT treatment once I finally get an appointment.  Meanwhile,  I am getting discomfort in both eyes, but particularly one which had to have minor surgery a few years ago.  My optician commented on this at my last checkup.  I already have drops recommended by the eye surgeon.  So really I am wanting something I can buy over the counter that will help with the dryness until such time as I finally get a GP appointment.  Think I will try it anyway, as I can't find anything to suggest it will cause harm.  Just wondered if anyone else had found it beneficial.

[pepperminty]

Hi Dorothy , I forgot to mention that my dermatologist recommended moisturising your bits down below using a very simple moisturiser such as hydromol. That helps if the dryness is on the outside. A good pharmacist can recommend suitable products. I hope you get an appointment with your new GP soon and get some help. I posted a thread on here regarding Dr Annie Evans lecture on menopause (it's on Utube ). This is well worth a watch and  will answer a lot of questions you may have including ref alternative therapy. It's about half an hour in 3 segments.

Peppermintyxx

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hi Dorothy. Sorry didn't mean to sound dictatorial. Definitely watch the Annie Evans clip it is incredibly useful. All GPs should be made to watch it. Good luck with your new GP.

[Dorothy]

Thanks.  Broadband here doesn't cope too well with videos, but I'll see if I can find a Wi-Fi place locally with better signal.  I'm supposed to have 'super-fast' but it makes a snail look speedy!

Will let you know how I get on with the GP - couldn't register until I had a utility bill or bank statement with my new address on to prove I live here!!!  Never had to do this before - is it something new, or just this surgery?  What you do if you need urgent attention, I don't know...

[honeybun]

One of our former members who was very knowledgable with regard to alternative treatement sent me this.

http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/sea-buckthorn-oil.aspx


Hopefully it will be useful.

Honeybun
X

[Kathleen]

Hello Dorothy.

A while ago a friend of mine had dryness affecting her 'other areas'.  She had never been on HRT but she did try Sea Buckthorn Oil and it did help. I think she took three capsules a day for a week and then slowly reduced. I can't remember where she had found out about it but she did say her issues resolved and never returned so in your position I would definitely give it a go.

Hope this is of help to you.

Take care.

K.

[Dorothy]

Thanks for all your comments.  I'm going to try it for a month and see how I get on.  Hopefully, by that point, I might even have been able to get somewhere with my GP regarding HRT though I'm not holding my breath on that one!

[GeordieGirl]

I much prefer natural remedies, unfortunately we're all trained nowadays to think if it comes in a box and is made of chemicals it's got to be better for us. (yeah right)

This post caught my eye as I'm currently in Rhodes and at a taverna today a Greek waiter picked some of the plant in the rocks for us and told us how good it was for us. He didn't know the name so we spent ages online searching and, guess what? Yep, it's Sea Buckthorn!  it's been used since ancient Greek times for a wide variety of conditions and we've picked some to make tea with.

I've recently spring cleaned my diet, started taking bio identicals and a few supplements and am feeling great. My skin is better than ever and I've more energy. Unfortunately I've a Big C issue to deal with but I'm positive that getting everything else in order can only help.

Try it and see, I'd probably give it a couple of months.
GG x

[dazned]

Hope your having a lovely break away GG 

[Hurdity]

Hi Dorothy

I think your eye problems maybe need to be looked at separately from your menopausal symptoms and the issue of HRT.

You mentioned that you have had eye surgery and you have been recommended to have eye drops. I presume you have seen the GP or specialist about your recent problems so that it can be treated accordingly, and that you are using the eye drops?

As for taking the sea-buckthorn oil ( I presume it is not drops?) - well of course modern medicine wouldn't be where it was without the plant world and the compounds they contain. I see one study (from the link) is quoted as showing a beneficial affect on some symptoms ie burning and redness after 3 months. However I note form the link that the herbalist urges caution with long term use:

Is Sea Buckthorn Oil Safe?

    As with other herbal oils, I advise you to use caution when using sea buckthorn oil, especially if you're dealing with certain health conditions. It is not recommended for people with diseases of the intestines, kidney, and liver.29

    Sea buckthorn oil is generally safe for most healthy adults, but it is not recommended for children ages 12 and younger.30 I advise you to avoid using them for more than three months, as there are reports of adverse effects in people who use the oil for prolonged periods. There are also people who are sensitive to sea buckthorn and its constituents, so make sure to do a patch test on your arm before applying this oil to your skin.31

    You may notice your urine turn a dark yellow or reddish color, with a slight musty smell (similar to old books), but this is usually harmless.32 Applying copious amounts of the oil on your skin may also cause a yellow discoloration on your complexion.
    sea buckthorn composition

    Since there is no scientific proof regarding its safety for pregnant or nursing moms, I recommend avoiding this oil if you are pregnant, lactating, or planning to be pregnant in the near future.

Side Effects of Sea Buckthorn Oil

    Sea buckthorn oil may cause certain side effects in some people, such as

    diarrhea, abdominal spasms, and other gastrointestinal problems. Avoid taking this oil in high amounts, as it may lead to dehydration and loss of beneficial electrolytes. Overdosing and using sea blackthorn oil for prolonged periods may also lead to kidney problems.33

    Ingesting sea buckthorn oil may promote blood flow in the veins and arteries, so if you are taking any vasodilator medication, do not use this oil.34 It may also have blood sugar-lowering properties, so people who are taking insulin or diabetes medications should use this oil with extreme caution.35

Therefore if you are taking it for short-term relief then looks like it may work and will be fine to use - and won't cause any harm.

However if it is a long-term problem then further investigation from your doc might be needed and appropriate, long-term treatment that is proven to be safe and effective would then be needed.

By the way hope you manage to get registered with your doc soon! Sounds like a right palaver!

Hurdity x

[Dorothy]

Thanks - I was given advice on follow-up treatment for the eye but the optician felt that the recent problems were due to menopausal dryness.  Until recently, I haven't had any problems since being the all-clear by the hospital; it seems that the dryness is simply causing more trouble in that eye than the other.  As my previous doc not only thinks menopause doesn't cause any problems, they were also responsible for my needing eye surgery in the first place, due to mishandling the original injury.  So I wasn't too keen on going back to them this time!!!  Am desperately hoping that the new GP will be more helpful.  And more use!

I'm only planning on taking the sea buckthorn until I can get results from the GP and in any case, never take anything longer than 3 months without a break unless advised otherwise by a professional.  Apart from the risk of side effects, I have found many herbal remedies are most effective when not taken continuously. 

[Winterose]

Have been using this for 7 months mainly for its omega oils, slight improvement in dry skin and definite softening of wrinkles - but the easing of dry skin took about 4 months, worth a try but get a good one,