Black cohosh, a member of the buttercup family, is native to eastern regions of North America. The roots and rhizomes of the plant are used in traditional herbal medicine for their purported pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and sedative qualities. Recent research has revealed information on the benefits of black cohosh as a treatment for symptoms associated with menopause. Consult with a qualified health professional to determine your individual health needs before using black cohosh.
Combination Therapy
Black cohosh eases menopause symptoms of women undergoing tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer, according to a study published in the January 2011 issue of "Gynecological Endocrinology." Hormone therapy for menopause can aggravate menopause symptoms for these women and an alternative is needed, say researchers. Participants in the study, conducted at University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland, received 2.5 mg of black cohosh per day for 6 months and recorded their symptoms. Black cohosh reduced hot flashes, sleep problems and anxiety by 22 percent. Urinary problems and joint pain, however, were not improved by cohosh in the study results.
Safety
A meta-analysis conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hildesheim, Germany and published in the January 2011 "Menopause" journal found black cohosh nontoxic to the liver. Liver enzyme levels, which become elevated when the liver is stressed, were not affected by the use of black cohosh in five separate studies involving over 1,000 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who took black cohosh for up to 6 months. These results were contrary to implications from previous case reports of adverse effects on the liver, said the researchers.
Neurotransmitter Effect
The neurotransmitter GABA, which has a calming effect on nerves and muscles, significantly increases in response to black cohosh, according to a study published in the December 2010 issue of "Journal of Natural Products." At least four chemical compounds in black cohosh activated the neurotransmitter. The researchers of the study, conducted at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, concluded that their results indicate that modulation of GABA may be one of the beneficial effects of black cohosh in the treatment of menopause.
Hot Flashes
Side effects of hormone therapy for menopause, such as increased risk for certain types of cancer, can be offset by the use of black cohosh, according to a study published in the September 2010 "Phytomedicine" journal. In the study on laboratory rats given black cohosh, body temperature remained stable during the testing period and for three weeks after the experiment, suggesting that black cohosh may be useful for treatment of hot flashes and can reduce the need for, or dosage of, hormone replacement therapy, report the researchers of the study, conducted at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India.
References
- PubMed.gov: Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) in tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients with climacteric complaints - a prospective observational study; Rostock M, et a;.; 2011
- PubMed.gov: Suspected black cohosh hepatotoxicity: no evidence by meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials for isopropanolic black cohosh extract; Naser B, et al.; 2011
- PubMed.gov: Bioactivity-guided isolation of GABA(A) receptor modulating constituents from the rhizomes of Actaea racemosa; Cicek SS, et al.; 2010
- PubMed.gov: Bioactivity-guided isolation of GABA(A) receptor modulating constituents from the rhizomes of Actaea racemosa; Cicek SS, et al.; 2010
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