If you are menopausal women, you may be using black cohosh in lieu of hormonal replacement therapy to treat symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety and vaginal dryness. However, this herb can have several side effects, including a rash. Always check with a health-care professional before trying a new supplement.
Warning
You should seek medical attention right away if you have an allergic reaction to black cohosh, the symptoms of which can include a rash, according to Drugs.com. Other symptoms of an allergic reaction include hives, itching, a tight chest, difficulty breathing and swelling in your face, tongue or mouth.
Expert Insight
Rashes are among the less serious side effects reported when people take black cohosh, according to National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Generally, clinical trials of the herb for menopausal symptoms have not revealed serious side effects, according to NCCAM. The risk of interactions with medicines also appears slight, according to NCCAM.
Considerations
Other side effects are more common than rashes when taking black cohosh. These include vomiting, dizziness, nausea and stomach discomfort, according to Drugs.com. Other reported side effects include weight problems and heaviness in the legs, according to the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements. There are a few case reports of liver issues among women taking this herb, though it's unknown whether black cohosh is actually responsible for the problems, according to NCCAM.
Significance
In a review of published literature from a number of different countries, NCCAM tracked reports of side effects from black cohosh, including rashes. Overall, three cases of rashes had been reported to the World Health Organization as of July 31, 2000. Nine cases of rashes were found when reports from WHO as well as the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Germany were analyzed.
History
In traditional Chinese medicine, black cohosh is sometimes administered so that rashes like measles can erupt, according to Martha Libster, author of "Delmar's Integrative Herb Guide for Nurses." However, it is not supposed to be used after the measles have erupted, Libster notes. In traditional Japanese medicine, black cohosh is used for chicken pox and measles eruptions. North American Indians used it to treat hives, and Hispanic people to treat boils, Libster says.
Precautions
Whether you suffer a rash or not from taking black cohosh, you need to avoid it if you have a hormone-sensitive condition such as fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cancer, breast cancer or uterine cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It's also possible that black cohosh can interact with medications, so always check with your doctor before using it.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Black Cohosh
- Drugs.com: Black Cohosh Side Effects
- U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements: Black Cohosh
- National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine: Workshop on the Safety of Black Cohosh in Clinical Studies
- National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine: Black Cohosh
- "Delmar's Integrative Herb Guide for Nurses"; Martha Libster; 2002
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