Menopause happens to all women, usually when they are in their early 50s, and marks the end of fertility. It occurs when the ovaries stop producing eggs and estrogen levels decline. Although menopause is a natural event rather than an illness, it is often accompanied by symptoms that make some women feel uncomfortable, such as hot flashes, depression, weight gain and mood swings. An herb known as black cohosh is sometimes used as a natural remedy for menopausal symptoms, but evidence of its efficacy is mixed. Get medical advice before using it.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Black cohosh, also known as black snakeroot or rattleweed, is a member of the buttercup family and, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative and Medicine, or NCCAM, was used as a home remedy in 19th century America. Today it often is included in herbal menopause supplements and sometimes is used as an alternative remedy for rheumatic conditions and menstrual disorders. It has effects similar to the hormone estrogen, but the website RxList states that it is unclear exactly how it works.
Dosage
The rhizomes and roots of black cohosh are used to make liquid extracts, capsules, teas and pills. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that 20 mg may be taken twice daily to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings and depression. However, RxList states that 20 mg to 80 mg may be taken once of twice daily to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Check with your doctor that thisrange of doses is suitable for you.
Effectiveness
Evidence that black cohosh is an effective treatment for the relief of menopausal symptoms is mixed. For example, the results of a clinical study published in the November 2009 issue of "Menopause" show that compared with placebo, black cohosh did not reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. However, an analysis of clinical trial findings published in the January 2010 issue of "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine" concludes that, overall, preparations including black cohosh improve symptoms by 26 percent.
Safety Considerations
NCCAM notes that black cohosh has been linked to several cases of liver failure in women taking this herb, but adds that it is unknown whether black cohosh was responsible for the effects. More common side effects include stomach discomfort and rash. Don't use this herb if you have a hormone-sensitive condition, such as breast cancer. Keep in mind that it might interact with other medicines you are using, including the cancer drug cisplatin, and drugs that are modified by the liver such as the antidepressant fluoxetine.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Menopause
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Black Cohosh
- RxList: Black Cohosh
- "Menopause"; Safety and Efficacy of Black Cohosh and Red Clover for the Management of Vasomotor Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial; S.E. Geller et al.; November 2009
- "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine"; Efficacy of Black Cohosh-Containing Preparations on Menopausal Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis; T. Shams et al.; January 2010
