Black cohosh is a root that is most often used to treat menopausal symptoms and menstrual problems. The scientific evidence for these uses is not conclusive, however, and thus more research is needed to know whether black cohosh works or not. Black cohosh may act like estrogen in the body and that may make it risky for people who should avoid estrogen. Talk to your doctor before taking black cohosh.
Side Effects
Black cohosh causes few problems when taken in normal doses but if taken in high doses, the risk of side effects increases. Possible side effects include stomach pain, diarrhea, lightheadedness, headache, joint pain, sweating, constipation, low blood pressure, muscle damage, nausea and vomiting, slowed heart beat, tremors, loss of visual acuity and weight gain. Some people taking black cohosh have reported a sense of emotional unease and a heavy feeling in the legs. Black cohosh can cause allergic reactions in some people, particularly if they are allergic to plants in the buttercup family or to aspirin.
Hormone-Sensitive Illnesses
Because it might work just like estrogen in the body, you should avoid taking black cohosh if you have a condition that might be aggravated by estrogen. If you have had, or are at risk for developing breast, ovarian or uterine cancer, black cohosh may worsen the disease or increase your risk of getting it. There is some evidence that black cohosh may interfere with some cancer treatments. You should also talk to your doctor before taking red clover if you've had, or are at risk for, other reproductive issues like uterine fibroids and endometriosis. As a precaution, don't take red clover with drugs that affect estrogen such as hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills or the cancer drug, tamoxifen.
Liver Risks
There have been a few reports of liver damage and even liver failure in people taking black cohosh, but it's unclear whether those problems were caused by the black cohosh or something else. Some patients required a liver transplant to recover. Do not use black cohosh if you have liver disease or drink large amounts of alcohol.
Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding
Pregnant women should avoid black cohosh because it may cause contractions and early labor. There have also been some reports of black cohosh triggering a miscarriage, but it's unclear that black cohosh was the cause of the problem. Because black cohosh may affect hormones passed to the baby, it should be avoided during pregnancy and while breast-feeding.
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