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From 1999 to 2010, the National Institute of Health Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) had an increase in their budget allocation for research; however, the allocation in 2010 ($128.8 million) declined over the past 3 years; fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget was $127.7 million, FY 2012 budget was $128.0 million and FY 2013 budget was $120.7 million (http://nccam.nih.gov/about/ budget/appropriations.htm). This is odd and unfortunate because the prevalence of people using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased over these years. Complementary medicine, as defined by NCCAM, generally refers to a non-mainstream approach given together with conventional medicine while alternative medicine is a non-mainstream approach used in place of conventional medicine [1]. Conventional (western or allopathic) is medicine using modalities commonly learned in conventional training, by holders of a medical degree, doctor of osteopathic medical degree, and by allied health professionals such as physical therapists, psychologists and registered nurses [1]. Most people use non-mainstream approaches with conventional medicine and so NCCAM currently uses the term “complementary health approaches” to describe these practices and products, which fall into two subgroups: natural products (e.g., herbs, botanicals, vitamins, minerals, some dietary supplements, probiotics) and mind and body practices (e.g., meditation, yoga, acupuncture, deep-breathing exercises, guided imagery, hypnotherapy, progressive relaxation, qi gong, tai chi, movement therapy, manipulation and massage therapy) [1]. Mind-body medicine is practiced to direct the mind to affect the physical functioning of the body; this occurs by the interactions of the brain, mind, body and behavior through techniques that promote calmness and relaxation, breathing, open attitudes toward distractions and often specific physical postures. Manipulative and body-based practices focus primarily on the bones and joints, soft tissues and the circulatory and lymphatic system whereas movement therapies like the Feldenkrais method, Alexander technique, Pilates, Rolfing structural integration, and Trager psychophysical integration use movement-based approaches to promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Traditional healers use methods of healing that have been handed down over many generations and which incorporate whole medical systems and complete systems of theory and practice. Included in this category are Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, and energy practices (e.g., magnet therapy, light therapy, qi gong, Reiki, and healingtouch).

Many menopausal women are seeking symptomatic relief from hot flushes, irritability, sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression, and to prevent bone loss. Instead of pharmaceutical approaches, many women are opting for alternative modalities such as yoga, meditation and natural products. Melatonin is a molecule released from the pineal gland in response to darkness and is commonly used as a sleep aid due to its soporific effects and/or due to its ability to reentrain circadian rhythms out of synchrony with the light dark cycle. The focus of this mini-review is to highlight the novel use of melatonin on managing menopausal symptoms and menopausal bone loss and describe food sources that are rich in melatonin.