What's the best herbs for menopause?

Just found out have just started the Menopause my GP asked if i wanted H.R.T but dont want to go down this road if i can avoid it.. I have acheing muscles in arms and legs and was thinking herbel remerdies GP agreed any ideas whats best to take please.

The herb, black cohosh has been successfully used by women to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances and anxiety for many years. It has been reported that black cohosh yields up to 80% improvement in hot flashes.
Black cohosh can be found in most health food stores, where it's usually sold as an extract. Follow the dosage recommendations on the label.

I used Vitex/Chaste Tree also called agnus castus and i am happy to say it helped me avoid the hot flashes and the many problems associated at this time of homrmal changes. hope this helps,GoodLuck!

Any oestrogenic herb, eg: red clover and motherwort - traditionally used for gynaecological complaints, saw palmetto and rhodiola rosea root. However, because of their oestrogen qualities, women with a strong family history of breast or uterine cancer should just do without.
The best-known commercial pain reliever is aspirin. But natural aspirins like willow bark and meadowsweet, contain salicin, which converts in the stomach to salicylic acid (which is aspirin - originally a herbal remedy!). You could also try ginger and feverfew. Standardised herbs from a pharmacist are safer than picking your own (though I think you'd be safe with ginger!).