Hi Debra,  Hot flashes can be a big inconvenience at best, and downright miserable at worst.  Probably the most effective natural remedy I know of is black cohosh.  It has been used for decades, especially in Europe.  There was a study reported in a medical journal about 5 years ago by a doctor who had studied the effects and effectiveness of black cohosh and affirmed that it can have a good impact on both the number and the severity of hot flashes.  The brand most studied and regulated so you can be confident of what you're buying is Remifemin.  You can take 40-80mg a day.  Another over-the-counter, Estroven, is a combination of herbs and has been helpful to many patients.  Some women also find their flashes diminish when they use Progesterone cream. (see my posting on Bioidentical Hormones for more info on that)  Good luck to you!     Sandy