Is Black Cohosh Beneficial In Menopause?

Is It Effective, Is It Safe, Should You Try It?




Black Cohosh - You don't have to search very far on the internet to find some confusing, and even disturbing information about it. As is often the case when studying the effects of herbs, the latest scientific studies seem to contradict each other.

Think about it...you take 100 women of varying ages, varying hormonal levels, varying stages of health, with different diets, different life situations, different stress levels and different constitutions, and then try to make one statement about one component of an herb (that comes in varying formulas and qualities) as to whether or not it has an effect on, say, hot flashes. How can you do that? But that's just my opinion, and I'm not a scientist.

What I know, is that women have been using black cohosh for hundreds of years. It's native to this country, and was used by American Indians, early European Americans, and the Eclectic Doctors (American physicians who practiced between the early 1800's through the early 1900's) It was introduced into the US Pharmacopoeia in 1830 (it was later removed). It continues to be used worldwide by many cultures without incident, except for the following side effects.

Side effects of black cohosh: In excess amounts or with people especially sensitive to the herb: frontal headaches, flushed face, dizziness, nausea and visual disturbance.

Compare that to, say, adverse reactions from Premarin (taken from Physician's Drug Handbook, 5th Edition): headache, dizziness, chorea, depression, libido changes, lethargy, thrombophlebitis, thromboembolism, hypertension, edema, increased risk of stroke, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, melasma, urticaria, acne, sebarrhea, oily skin, hirsutism or hair loss, worsening of myopia or astigmatism, intolerance to contact lenses, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, anorexia, increased appetite, weight changes, breakthrough bleeding, altered menstrual flow, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, cervical erosion, altered cervical secretions, enlargement of uterine fibromas, vaginal candidiasis, cholestatic jaundice, hyperglycemia, hypercalcemia, folic acid deficiency, breast changes (tenderness, enlargement, secretions), leg cramps





Precautions: There are a couple of cases of hepatitis being reported and attributed to the use of black cohosh, but most authorities state the evidence is not conclusive. If you have a history of liver problems, or are concerned about liver toxicity, check with your doctor and have her monitor your liver if you and she feel it is necessary. Do not use in pregnancy. If you have low blood pressure, this herb may lower it even more. Do not confuse it with Blue Cohosh (Caulophylum t., an entirely different herb).

Black cohosh, botanical name Cimicifuga racemosa or Actaea racemosa (a synonym), is a beautiful plant native to woodlands areas in eastern North America. Other common names are Black Snakeroot and Black Bugbane, Squaw root, Macrotys. Parts used are the rhizome and roots.

Preparations and dosage: Fresh root tincture, 10 – 30 drops, up to 4 times/day. Tea: up to 3 cups/day, made by simmering 1 oz. root in 1 pint of water for 20 minutes. As a bitter to stimulate digestion: 3-5 drops of tincture on your tongue (you need to taste it for it to work), a few minutes before eating.

Black Cohosh Benefits in Menopause: Use of this herb can reduce the amount and/or intensity of hot flashes and night sweats, relieve joint pain and headaches, and reduce water retention. It has a bitter taste, so can increase digestive juices which can reduce indigestion and bloating. It moistens dry eyes (my current favorite use). It is a central nervous system depressant, and is anti inflammatory.

Scientific Study Review: The Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health lists four different studies done on a total of 280 women to determine the effectiveness of black cohosh. One compared the herb to a placebo, another compared it to conjugated estrogens and estrogen-progestin therapy but had no placebo, a third compared it to conjugated estrogens and did have a placebo, and the fourth study was not blinded or placebo-controlled. The best study found that black cohosh decreased hot flashes more than conjugated estrogens or the placebo group. One study found no difference between the placebo and the herb. The conflicting data in the studies is partly due to a lack of good study design, and partly due to different amounts of the herb from different sources being used.

Personal Experience: I recently started using black cohosh when I started having hot flashes. I find it to be more effective when combined with other herbs, such as wild yam and dong quai. My hot flashes disappeared recently (I'm SOOOO happy!) so now I take a dropperful (about 30 drops) or two whenever my eyes start to get really dry, and it works almost immediately.

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