Black cohosh is a native American plant used since the 1900s as a home remedy and Native American medicine for gynecological problems and rheumatism, among other conditions. Black cohosh is approved for use in Germany as an herbal treatment for menstrual problems and menopause symptoms. Black cohosh may behave similarly to estrogen, but evidence for this theory is mixed. Black cohosh can cause stomach discomfort and, in rare cases, liver problems. Don't take black cohosh without your medical practitioner's approval.
Hot Flashes
85 percent of American women experience hot flashes to some degree during peri-menopause and menopause. Hormonal changes that occur during menopause, such as the drop in estrogen, can cause hot flashes by resetting the body's internal thermostat. As the hypothalamus perceives an increase in body temperature, it takes actions to lower it, including dilating the skin, which leads to flushing and sweating. Researchers from St. Mary's Hospital and McGill University in Montreal conducted a review of literature that examined nine randomized placebo-controlled studies. The results, published in the January-February "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine" found vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes improved overall by 26 percent in the six studies that reported improvement in the group taking black cohosh. The other three studies did not show a positive effect.
Vaginal Dryness
Although black cohosh has shown benefit for relieving vaginal dryness in some cases, a study conducted by the Group Health Center for Health Studies in Seattle found no improvement in vaginal dryness, a common menopausal symptom, in women taking black cohosh. Women taking hormone replacement therapy did have a rise in estrogen levels and a decrease in symptoms.
Labor Induction
Midwives may use black cohosh to ripen the cervix for labor or to keep labor moving once it begins. Since black cohosh can induce labor, it should not be taken in pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester, as researchers from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine reported in the fall 2006 "Canadian Journal of Clinical Pharmacology."
Breast Cancer
A laboratory study on the effects of black cohosh on human breast cancer cells conducted by the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University showed some benefit against cancer cells. The study, published in the February 2004 issue of "Breast Cancer Research and Treatment" stated that further studies might establish benefit of using black cohosh as a cancer prevention treatment.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Black Cohosh; Steven Ehrich; December 2009
- National Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine; Black Cohosh; July 2010
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Black Cohosh;
- "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine;" Efficacy of Black Cohosh-Containing Preparations on Menopausal Symptoms; T. Shams, et al..; January-February 2010
- "Breast Cancer Research and Treatment;" Growth Inhibitory Activity of Extracts and Purified Components of Black Cohosh on Human Breast Cancer Cells; L. Einbond, et al.; February 2004
- "Canadian Journal of Clinical Pharmacology ;" Safety and Efficacy of Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga Racemosa) During Pregnancy and Lactation; J. Dugouda, et al.; Fall 2006
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