Black Cohosh And Liver Failure

Black cohosh, or Actaea racemosa, is a flowering plant native to eastern regions of North America. The roots and rhizomes of the plant have been used medicinally for countless generations by Native Americans and early pioneers. Black cohosh displays analgesic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties and contains compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen. As such, contemporary use of black cohosh is predominantly for treating menopausal symptoms. There have been reports that black cohosh is damaging to the liver, but more recent research has concluded it is safe. Consult your doctor before taking black cohosh.

Black Cohosh

Native Americans used black cohosh to treat a variety of afflictions, including gynecological problems, sore throats, kidney infections, anxiety and depression. According to the "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," by the mid-19th century black cohosh was being used by pioneers and European settlers for rheumatism, nervousness, endometriosis, amenorrhea, dysmenorrheal and to induce the production of breast milk.

Natural Hormone Replacement

Black cohosh is marketed for premenstrual syndrome, menopausal symptoms and other gynecological conditions because it contains estrogen-like compounds that can mimic some of the effects of the hormone within your body. Relaxation of blood vessels, activating serotonin receptors, balancing hormones and affecting vitamin D activity are all properties linked to black cohosh, as explained by Michael Castleman, author of "The New Healing Herbs." Its ability to reduce hot flashes is disputed, but many women believe black cohosh provides some relief from symptoms related to hormone imbalance.

Safety

Anecdotal evidence suggests that black cohosh is relatively safe as millions of women over many generations have taken the herb with very few adverse health effects. However, the National Institutes of Health notes that liver damage has been reported in a few women using black cohosh as instructed for menopausal symptoms, but the cause and effect was not well established. Other reported side effects include dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, nausea and low blood pressure. Australia and England have added a warning label to black cohosh products noting a possible link to liver damage, although as of 2011 there is no scientific evidence that black cohosh can harm your liver. Regardless, you should not supplement with it unless supervised by your medical doctor, just to be safe.

Newer Study

A January 2011 Reuters Health article notes that a 2011 German study published in the journal "Menopause" examined the results of five previously published clinical trials of the black cohosh product Remifemin involving more than 1,100 women. It concluded there was no evidence that any of the women experienced changes in liver enzymes or suffered any liver damage whatsoever. Other black cohosh products may be formulated differently than Remifemin, so you should talk to a health care professional who has some understanding of herbal remedies. Experts advise that you should stop using black cohosh and tell your doctor if you develop signs of liver toxicity, including abdominal pain, dark urine or yellowing of the skin and eyes.