Black cohosh, which is native to North America, was used in American Indian medicine. It was also used as a home remedy by colonists and in traditional Chinese medicine for a variety of ailments. It was also an ingredient in Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound in the early 1900s, and standardized preparations have been marketed for decades in Germany. However, it remains unclear whether black cohosh has beneficial effects, so it is important to first discuss using black cohosh with your doctor.
Identification
Black cohosh, which belongs to the buttercup family of plants, is also known by other names including black snakeroot, bugbane, cimicifuga, rattleroot, rattleweed, and baneberry, among others. The roots and underground stems are used medicinally in various forms including the fresh or dried root, pills or liquid extracts.
Uses
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, black cohosh is more commonly used for managing symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats, dryness of the vagina, and hot flashes. It is also used for other female-related conditions, such as premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, and menstrual abnormalities. Other uses include managing HIV, high cholesterol, and hardening of the arteries.
Effectiveness
Results from research evaluating the effectiveness of black cohosh for symptoms of menopause are still inconclusive, particularly for alleviating night sweats and hot flashes. However, scientific investigations are ongoing. There is insufficient information to rate the effectiveness of black cohosh for other health conditions.
Considerations
Few side effects have been reported from black cohosh use, although scientific studies have usually been of short duration so safety of long-term use is still unknown. Side effects from black cohosh include stomach pain, headache, rash, and in rare cases, liver injury and failure. Furthermore, the safety of black cohosh has not been established in the presence of health conditions sensitive to hormones, such as breast cancer.
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