Native to eastern North America, black cohosh is a tall flowering plant that is found in woodland areas. The root of the plant has been used for centuries by Native American women for gynecological problems and childbirth. Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, the famous patent medicine for women, contained black cohosh among other ingredients. The herb is still used today for treating menstrual and menopausal problems and as an adjunct to cancer treatments.
Women's Health
Constituents within black cohosh are purported to have estrogenic effects that may help relieve the discomfort of painful or heavy menstruation. Menopausal women may also find that black cohosh helps to ease the uncomfortable effects of menopause, including irritability, mood swings, hot flashes and sleep disturbances.
Breast Cancer Treatment
Black cohosh is not a treatment for breast cancer. Rather, it is used to relieve the uncomfortable effects of certain breast cancer medications, such as tamoxifen. With these medications, hot flashes and sweating similar to that experienced in menopause may occur. Black cohosh may help to ease these symptoms.
Prostate Cancer
The estrogenic effects of black cohosh may also help to slow the growth of prostate tumors. Prostate cancer is a serious illness, and your physician should be consulted prior to using any herbal remedy, including black cohosh.
Arthritis and Osteoporosis
Black cohosh, in combination with other herbs, has been used to help reduce the inflammatory effects of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The estrogen-like compounds in black cohosh may also help to reduce the risk of bone loss, which occurs in osteoporosis.
References
- University Of Maryland Medical Center: Black Cohosh
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Black Cohosh
- "The Healing Herbs"; Michael Castleman; 1991
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