Black cohosh is a native North American plant. Many health claims are associated with it, but relatively few have been scientifically substantiated. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, black cohosh was part of Native American medicine and was a popular home remedy in the 19th century. Other names for black cohosh include Cimicifuga racemosa, snakeroot, bugbane, bugwort, rattleroot, rattletop, rattleweed and macrotys. Use of black cohosh to treat health conditions is a form of naturopathic medicine, which promotes a holistic approach to health with minimal use of surgeries and drugs. Consult your physician before attempting naturopathic remedies at home.
Traditional Uses
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, North American Indians used black cohosh to treat fatigue, gynecological and kidney disorders, malaria, sore throat, colds, cough, constipation, hives, back pain and rheumatism, a joint disorder. Black cohosh also was used as a diuretic and to initiate menstruation. Alternative medicine practitioners today use black cohosh to treat rheumatism, lung and neurological conditions, menstruation problems, inflammation of the uterus and ovaries, infertility and labor pain.
Preparations
Black cohosh supplements are made from the underground stems and roots of the plant. Fresh and dried forms can be used to make tea infusions or liquid extracts called tinctures. It is also sold in capsule and pill form.
Health Claims
Black cohosh is thought to work like the hormone estrogen to affect menstruation and menopause. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center says black cohosh may help treatment of abnormal menstruation, premenstrual syndrome and symptoms of menopause. The NCCAM says black cohosh is most frequently used to treat hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweats associated with menopause.
Validity
The ODS says preliminary evidence for the use of black cohosh to treat menopausal symptoms is encouraging, but there is still a lack of evidence to support its use, and the results of many scientific studies have been conflicting. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, black cohosh may benefit menopausal women for a short period of time, defined as six months or less. The NCCAM is funding studies regarding the long-term effects of black cohosh on menopausal symptoms and says there is no evidence that black cohosh is useful in treating rheumatism or other conditions.
Side Effects
Common side effects of oral black cohosh include upset stomach, dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting. Black cohosh may also cause liver damage, weight problems and heaviness in the legs and may interact with the drug tamoxifen and with chemotherapy drugs. The ODS advises pregnant women, women with breast cancer and people with liver disease to avoid black cohosh.
Warnings
The NCCAM warns that there are no studies on the long-term safety of black cohosh. Black cohosh is classified as a dietary supplement, which means it is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and may not be safe or effective in treating or preventing medical conditions. Black cohosh should not replace traditional medications or treatments for illnesses or diseases. The U.S. Pharmacopeia, which sets standards for foods and drugs, says products that contain black cohosh should be labeled with warnings against their use for those who have liver disorders or develop abdominal pain, dark urine or jaundice.
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