Black Cohosh: Benefits and Side Effects

Black cohosh is a perennial plant that is a member of the buttercup family. It has several other common names, including black snakeroot, bugwort, rattleweed and others.

The botanical name for black cohosh is Cimicifuga racemosa or Actaea racemosa. North American Indians used black cohosh as a remedy for a variety of disorders, including depression, menstrual disorders, kidney problems, malaria, rheumatism and sore throats.

It was used in America in the 1800's as a fever reducer, as a diuretic and to bring on menstruation. It was an extremely popular treatment for reproductive disorders, and alternative practitioners used it to treat a range of conditions associated with the female reproductive system. It was often used as a treatment for infertility, to prevent miscarriage and to relieve labor pains.

More recently, black cohosh has gained popularity as a treatment for symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, anxiety and depression. It has also been found to effectively relieve headaches, vertigo, heart palpitations and sleeplessness associated with menopause.

Black cohosh supplements are derived from the roots and underground stems (called rhizomes) of the black cohosh plant. The herb contains several active compounds, including triterpene sponins. The roots and stems of black cohosh are extracted with alcohol.

Standardized preparations of black cohosh should contain 1 mg of 26-deoxyactein (triterpene saponins) per 20 mg. Standardized tinctures of black cohosh should be taken at doses of 2-4 ml per day. Tablets containing standardized extracts are usually available in 20 mg doses with a recommended dose of 20-40 mg per day. Black cohosh can also be taken in crude form. The recommended amount of dried roots or stems ranges from 300-2,000 mg per day. The herb is available in dried powder form as well. Black cohosh should not be taken for longer than six months.

Though not proven, black cohosh is believed to have possible estrogenic effects that make it a popular remedy for symptoms of menopause. When a woman enters menopause, estrogen production decreases due to less efficient communication between the brain and the pituitary gland.

In addition, production of luteinizing hormone (LH) increases during menopause. Hot flashes result from these changes in hormonal production. Several clinical trials conducted in Europe found black cohosh to be a safe and effective remedy for hot flashes, as well as other symptoms of menopause such as anxiety, night sweats, fatigue and insomnia.

The studies were conducted using both 40 mg and 130 mg doses of black cohosh, and both dosages were found effective. However, neither dose was found to have estrogenic effects, suggesting that while black cohosh may provide symptomatic relief from menopausal symptoms, it may not be an alternative to hormone replacement therapy.

Black Cohosh Side Effects

There are no known drug interactions with black cohosh, and side effects have rarely been reported. At very large doses, the herb may cause gastrointestinal complaints (nausea and vomiting), dizziness or headaches. Though black cohosh was once used to prevent miscarriage, pregnant women should not take it since modern studies have not been performed to determine its safety during gestation.

In addition, women with breast cancer may want to avoid using black cohosh until its effects on estrogen levels and breast tissue can be studied conclusively.

Have you been the victim of a product that makes exaggerated claims? Launch a complaint!

US visitors should submit a complaint to the US Federal Trade Commission!

Canadians, submit a complaint at the Canadian Competition Bureau!