Black cohosh is an herbal derivative of the Actaea racemosa plant, also known as Cimicifuga racemosa. The medicinal use of black cohosh goes back centuries. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), American colonists turned to black cohosh to treat amenorrhea, bronchitis, chorea, snakebite, yellow fever and a number of other illnesses. Modern-day practitioners use this extract to treat symptoms of menopause, some of which may be triggered by the hypothalamus.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is a gland that sits in the brain. The gland is very small but extremely important. Hormones sent out by this gland regulate body temperature, control food and water intake, are responsible for sex drive and reproduction, balance moods and behavior plus mediate emotional responses. As a woman ages, production of hypothalamus hormones tends to alter and change the way the body functions. Hormones from the hypothalamus trigger production of other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, both part of the reproductive cycle and menstruation.
Menopause
Medically, menopause is the cessation of menstruation and the end of fertility. Hormonal changes from menopause stimulate a variety of symptoms. The exact issues will vary from woman to woman, but some common problems include hot flashes, moods swings, sleeplessness and vaginal dryness. The hypothalamus regulates a number of the systems that may cause these symptoms. For example, hot flashes relate directly to body temperature, and the hypothalamus controls this feature.
Black Cohosh
NCCAM reports that interest in alternative treatments for menopause symptoms, such as black cohosh, is at a peak right now because hormone therapy may put women at risk for heart attack, stroke and cancer. The Mayo Clinic states that even though black cohosh treatment is popular, studies do not prove it effective in controlling hot flashes and night sweats in menopause.
Studies
The Office of Dietary Supplements lists a number of studies researching the effectiveness of black cohosh as a treatment for hot flashes. One clinical study in 2002 by Columbia University gave breast cancer survivors 40 mg of black cohosh daily for two months. This study showed no significant benefit from a dietary supplement of black cohosh. Another report reviewed menopausal women taking 8 mg of black cohosh and noted some improvement in symptoms. It is unclear at this point if there is a benefit, and the Mayo Clinic does not endorse the herb's effectiveness.
Considerations
Black cohosh is not suitable for everyone. The Office of Dietary Supplements warns that women with breast cancer should avoid black cohosh. Additionally, black cohosh may be harmful to the liver. Anyone who suffers from a liver condition should not take black cohosh supplements. If you develop dark urine, abdominal pain or jaundice while taking black cohosh, discontinue its use immediately and see your doctor. Taking any herbal supplement is unwise unless you talk to your doctor first.
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