Siberian Rhubarb for Menopausal Symptoms

A 2006 study found that an extract from the roots of Siberian Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) was significantly more effective than placebo at treating menopausal symptoms over 12 weeks. Siberian Rhubarb is thought to act like a selective estrogen receptor modulator. A subsequent study in 2009 found this same extract to be effective over 96 weeks without significant adverse effects.

Heger M, Ventskovskiy BM, Borzenko I, Kneis KC, Rettenberger R, Kaszkin-Bettag M, Heger PW. Efficacy and safety of a special extract of Rheum rhaponticum (ERr 731) in perimenopausal women with climacteric complaints: a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Menopause. 2006 Sep-Oct;13(5):744-59. doi: 10.1097/01.gme.0000240632.08182.e4. Erratum in: Menopause. 2007 Mar-Apr;14(2):339. PMID: 16894335.

Hasper I, Ventskovskiy BM, Rettenberger R, Heger PW, Riley DS, Kaszkin-Bettag M. Long-term efficacy and safety of the special extract ERr 731 of Rheum rhaponticum in perimenopausal women with menopausal symptoms. Menopause. 2009 Jan-Feb;16(1):117-31. doi: 10.1097/GME.0b013e3181806446. PMID: 18978638.