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