Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is a graceful woodland plant bearing spikes of white flowers, native to New England and eastern Canada. Native Americans occasionally used the herb to treat snakebite and joint problems, but primarily used the herb for womenÍs health. Settlers adopted the herb for the same purposes, and in the late 1800Ís it became the key ingredient in Lydia PinkhamÍs Vegetable Compound, a wildly popular over the counter medicine for menstrual problems, infertility, and unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Lydia PinkhamÍs Vegetable Compound continued to be sold in the latter half of the twentieth century. Today, black cohosh remains one of the most popular remedies in the world for womenÍs natural health.

Black Cohosh has been used for thousands of years by Native Americans - and some forms of the herb have also been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has become more well known in the Western World through research on its supportive effect on hormone functioning and support of the female reproductive system.

This herb is a supportive ingredient for the nervous system and has been used over the ages as a remedy to provide support for female gynecological issues.

Cimicifuga racemosa has as its main constituent's triterpene glycosides, cinnamic acid derivatives, chromone, isoflavones, tannins and salicylic acid. This ingredient has also been researched for its ability to support routine temperature regulation in the female body.

Black Cohosh has also been studied for its ability to routinely support estrogen balance in the body.

This is a relaxing nerve tonic and has been used over the ages as a remedy for female gynecological problems. Recent clinical studies [GGL3] done in Germany have confirmed that Cimicifuga is strongly estrogenic and that it is effective in relieving menopausal symptoms. It has as its main constituent’s triterpene glycosides, cinnamic acid derivatives, chromone, isoflavones, tannins and salicylic acid.

Constituents

Actein, cimicifugin, formononetin, salicylic acid, tannins, vitamin C.

Parts Used

Root.

Typical Preparations

Finely chopped, dried root in tablets, teas, or tinctures.

Summary

Black cohosh is a popular remedy for hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness of menopause. The herb does not stimulate the production of estrogen, but it may compensate for low or highly variable levels of estrogen during menstruation or in the menopause.In one well-designed study, 62 women going through menopause received black cohosh, estrogen, or a placebo for 90 days. Women who took black cohosh had the same reduction in hot flashes as women taking estrogen. Black cohosh did not stimulate growth of cells in the uterus, suggesting that, unlike estrogen, the herb does not increase the risk of uterine cancer. Black cohosh also increased the thickness of the vaginal wall. The study also suggested that black cohosh could help prevent osteoporosis.

Precautions

In menopausal women, black cohosh is not likely to cause any complications other than mild stomach upset. Black cohosh must be avoided during pregnancy because of its potential ability to stimulate uterine contractions. The safety of black cohosh in breastfeeding mothers and the degree of transmission of black cohosh in breast milk has not been established. There is controversy regarding the safety of black cohosh in women with a personal history or strong family history of breast cancer.

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