Black Cohosh
Also known as- Cimicifuga racemosa, Actaea Macrotys, Actaea Racemosa, Baneberry, Black Snakeroot, Bugbane, Bugwort, Cimicifuga, Cimicifuga Racemosa, Phytoestrogen, Rattle Root, Rattle Snakeroot, Rattlesnake Root, Rattleweed, Squawroot. Do not confuse with the potentially toxic blue cohosh.
Introduction
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Black cohosh is a graceful woodland plant bearing spikes of white flowers,
native to New England and eastern Canada. Native Americans occasionally used
the herb to treat snakebite and joint problems, but primarily used the herb for
womenÍs health.
Settlers adopted the herb for the same purposes, and in the late 1800Ís it
became the key ingredient in Lydia PinkhamÍs Vegetable Compound, a wildly
popular over the counter medicine for menstrual problems, infertility, and
unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Lydia PinkhamÍs Vegetable Compound continued
to be sold in the latter half of the twentieth century. Today, black cohosh
remains one of the most popular remedies in the world for womenÍs natural
health.
Constituents
Actein, cimicifugin, formononetin, salicylic acid, tannins, vitamin C.
Parts Used
Root.
Typical Preparations
Finely chopped, dried root in tablets, teas, or tinctures.
Summary
Black cohosh is a popular remedy for hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal
dryness of menopause. The herb does not stimulate the production of estrogen,
but it may compensate for low or highly variable levels of estrogen during
menstruation or in the menopause.
In one well-designed study, 62 women going through menopause received black
cohosh, estrogen, or a placebo for 90 days. Women who took black cohosh had the
same reduction in hot flashes as women taking estrogen. Black cohosh did not
stimulate growth of cells in the uterus, suggesting that, unlike estrogen, the
herb does not increase the risk of uterine cancer. Black cohosh also increased
the thickness of the vaginal wall. The study also suggested that black cohosh
could help prevent osteoporosis.
Precautions
In menopausal women, black cohosh is not likely to cause any complications other than mild stomach upset. Black cohosh must be avoided during pregnancy because of its potential ability to stimulate uterine contractions. The safety of black cohosh in breastfeeding mothers and the degree of transmission of black cohosh in breast milk has not been established. There is controversy regarding the safety of black cohosh in women with a personal history or strong family history of breast cancer.