About this episode

This episode discusses the safety and efficacy of herbal remedies like black cohosh, red clover, and ashwagandha for managing menopause symptoms after breast cancer treatment.

When you’re thrown into menopause after breast cancer treatment, the symptoms can feel relentless: hot flushes, insomnia, anxiety, joint pain, low mood to name a few. And when conventional options feel limited, it is understandable that many people begin looking into herbal medicine. But then the confusion starts. - What herbal medicine actually is — and what it isn’t - Is black cohosh safe? - What about red clover and phyto-oestrogens? - Are adaptogens like ashwagandha helpful — or risky? - Could herbs interfere with endocrine therapy? In this episode, we are joined by Melinda MacDougall, a qualified medical herbalist and we will go through all of your many questions. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Intro 03:50 What Is Herbal Medicine? 18:49 "Holistic Approach to Herbal Healing" 19:57 "Tamoxifen and Herbal Interactions" 24:47 Black Cohosh: Menopause Symptom Relief 29:56 "Skullcap & Lemon Balm Benefits" 33:00 "Black Cohosh for Menopause" 34:38 Holistic Self-Care Matters 41:14 "Sea Buckthorn Supplement Tips" 43:55 "Misleading Supplements" 48:20 "Adaptogens: Stress-Modulating Herbs" 53:26 "Plant Oestrogens" Here are some helpful links: You can find Melinda here…

People in this episode

Host: Dani Binnington

Guest: Melinda MacDougall

Topics covered

• herbal medicine
• menopause
• breast cancer
• adaptogens
• endocrine therapy
• symptom relief

Keywords

• menopause
• herbal medicine
• black cohosh
• red clover
• ashwagandha
• breast cancer
• Tamoxifen
• adaptogens

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Menopause and Cancer Podcast

Products: black cohosh, red clover, ashwagandha, Tamoxifen

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• Episode 211- The PIONEER Trial: Rethinking Hormones After Breast Cancer? · March 31, 2026 · 43 min
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