Relieves
Menstrual Cramps & Painful Symptoms of
Menopause
More than two
centuries ago,
Native Americans
discovered that the
root of the black
cohosh plant (Cimicifuga
racemosa) helped
relieve menstrual
cramps, and symptoms
of menopause
including hot
flashes,
irritability, mood
swings, and sleep
disturbances. Today,
the roots of black
cohosh are still
often used for these
purposes. In fact,
the herb has been
widely used for more
than 40 years in
Europe and is
approved in Germany
for premenstrual
discomfort, painful
menstruation, and
menopausal symptoms.
Menopausal
Symptoms
A dozen studies or more conducted throughout
the 1980s and 1990s confirm that the
long-standing use of black cohosh for
menopausal symptoms has scientific validity.
For example, in a German study involving 629
women, black cohosh improved physical and
psychological menopausal symptoms in more
than 80% of the participants within four
weeks. In a second study, 60 menopausal
women were given black cohosh extract,
conjugated estrogens, or diazepam (a leading
anti-anxiety medication) for three months.
Those who received black cohosh reported
feeling significantly less depressed and
anxious than those who received either
estrogens or diazepam. In another study, 80
menopausal women were treated for 12 weeks
with black cohosh extract, conjugated
estrogens, or placebo. Black cohosh improved
anxiety, menopause and vaginal symptoms. In
addition, the number of hot flashes dropped
from 5 to less than 1 average daily
occurrences in the black cohosh group
compared to those taking estrogen in whom
hot flashes dropped from 5 to 3.5 daily
occurrences.
Given these
examples, and results of other studies, some
experts have concluded that black cohosh may
be a safe and effective alternative to
estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for women
who cannot or will not take ERT for
menopause.
The American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
reports, however, that many of these studies
were poorly designed and did not evaluate
the safety and effectiveness of black cohosh
beyond 6 months of use. Despite this limited
evidence, the ACOG still recognizes the
value of black cohosh for menopausal
symptoms. Until further studies are
conducted, however, the ACOG recommends only
short-term (less than 6 months) use of this
herb for the relief of hot flashes
specifically.
Hot Flashes
with treatment for Breast Cancer
Many breast cancer patients use black cohosh
to ease hot flashes, a common side effect of
medications used to treat breast cancer such
as tamoxifen. While black cohosh may reduce
the number and intensity of hot flashes in
breast cancer patients, two well-designed
studies recently concluded that the herb is
no more effective than placebo.
In addition,
although there is some debate about this,
black cohosh may contain plant based
estrogens, called phytoestrogens. Therefore,
there is some concern that if there are
phytoestrogens in black cohosh, they may
stimulate the growth of breast tumors. This
idea has not been substantiated
scientifically; in fact, some studies
suggest that black cohosh may inhibit the
growth of breast cancer cells in test tubes.
Additional research is needed before
conclusions can be drawn about use of black
cohosh in women with a history of or risk
for developing breast cancer (such as strong
family history).
Arthritis
Preliminary studies also suggest that black
cohosh may help reduce inflammation
associated osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis. In a review of scientific
studies, researchers concluded that a
combination of black cohosh, willow bark (Salix
spp.), sarsaparilla (Smilax spp.),
guaiacum (Guaiacum officinale) resin,
and poplar bark (Populus tremuloides)
may help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Osteoporosis
Some experts suggest that the plant based
estrogens in black cohosh, in theory, could
help prevent osteoporosis. This theory has
yet to be tested scientifically
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