| WHAT IT DOES BEST: | | | | glycosides per 40mg capsule or tablet. (Dry |
| | | | extracts are liquid alcohol extracts that |
| Black Cohosh is most widely known for its use | | | | have been dried. Tinctures are liquid alcohol |
| in relieving menopausal symptoms, | | | | extracts.) |
| particularly hot flashes. | | | | |
| | | | * Standardized extract: 1-2 capsules or |
| THE BACKGROUND: | | | | tablets twice daily with meals, or as |
| | | | directed. |
| Historically, Native Americans used it for a | | | | |
| wide variety of conditions, including | | | | * Solid (dry) extract: 250mg three times |
| rheumatism, sore throat, asthma, bronchitis | | | | daily, or as directed. |
| and general fatigue; early American settlers | | | | |
| used it in tonics for female complaints. | | | | * Tincture (liquid alcohol extract): 2-4ml |
| | | | daily, or as directed. |
| RECENT FINDINGS: | | | | |
| | | | Black Cohosh should not be taken longer than |
| Significant improvements in symptoms of | | | | six months at a time. |
| menopause--including night sweats, hot | | | | |
| flashes, vaginal dryness and insomnia--have | | | | Black Cohosh Root is also known by the names |
| been reported in a number of studies, which | | | | Bugbane, Bugwort, Cohosh, Rattle Root, |
| mostly used standardized black Cohosh extract | | | | Rattleweed, Richweed, and Squaw Root. Black |
| (BCE). These findings were supported by a | | | | Cohosh is native to North America. The genus |
| large human trial published in the May 2005 | | | | name Cimicifuga is from the Latin cimicus, |
| issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, which found | | | | meaning insect, and fugare, meaning to drive |
| that standardized BCE is effective in | | | | away (because the plant tends to drive away |
| reducing hot flashes during early menopause. | | | | insects). Black refers to the dark colored |
| | | | rhizome, and Cohosh is an old Indian word |
| WHATS THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT? | | | | meaning dark. Native American Indians valued |
| | | | the herb and used it for many conditions, |
| The main actives identified so far are | | | | ranging from gynecological problems to |
| collectively known as triterpene glycosides. | | | | rattlesnake bites. For this reason, it is |
| | | | sometimes called Black Snakeroot. Some |
| POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: | | | | nineteenth-century American physicians used |
| | | | Black Cohosh for problems such as fever, |
| At recommended dosages, some women experience | | | | menstrual cramps, arthritis, and insomnia. |
| upset stomachs, weight gain and dizziness. At | | | | Black Cohosh has been valued by many |
| high dosages, lowered blood pressure, limb | | | | societies for its nutritional support for |
| pain and vomiting can occur. | | | | women. A popular herb for women, it helps |
| | | | restore healthy menses and soothes irritation |
| IS IT SAFE TO TAKE WHILE PREGNANT? | | | | & congestion of the cervix, uterus and |
| | | | vagina. Black Cohosh can also improve |
| Women who are pregnant or nursing should not | | | | circulation and lower blood pressure by |
| use black Cohosh. | | | | temporarily dilating blood vessels. |
| | | | Typically, the rhizome and root of the plant |
| ARE THERE ANY DRUG INTERACTIONS? | | | | are used medicinally. Having effective |
| | | | amounts of calcium, potassium, magnesium and |
| If taking heart disease or blood pressure | | | | iron, Black Cohosh Root is also an abundant |
| medications, consult with your doctor before | | | | source of estrogenic substances. Commonly |
| using. | | | | used to relieve arthritis, lower back pain |
| | | | and cramps caused by menstruation, Black |
| WHICH TYPE AND HOW MUCH: | | | | Cohosh also relieves mucus production, thus |
| | | | easing persistent coughs caused by asthma, |
| Black Cohosh is available as a standardized | | | | bronchitis and whooping cough. Additionally, |
| extract in capsules or tablets, as dry | | | | Black Cohosh has been used to relieve |
| extract in capsules or tablets and as a | | | | swelling and soreness typical of rheumatism, |
| tincture. | | | | and it is also known as safe sedative to |
| | | | relieve both nervousness and anxiety. |
| Standardized BCE provides 1mg of triterpene | | | | |