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What is black cohosh?
Black cohosh is a member of the buttercup family. It is a
tall, flowering plant that grows in the U.S. and Canada, with
a black stem and small white flowers. Black cohosh gets its
name in part from an Algonquin word meaning "rough"
in reference to the plant's root structure. It is also called
black snakeroot, bugbane, bugwort and squawroot.
Why do we need black cohosh? What
is it used for?
Black cohosh's roots and rhizome are used medicinally. Black
cohosh contains several ingredients, including glycosides
(such as acetin and cimicifugoside) and isoflavones (such
as formononetin). Other items found in black cohosh include
aromatic acids, tannins, resins, fatty acids, starches, and
Native Americans used black cohosh for a wide range of conditions,
from gynecological problems to rattlesnake bites. Studies
conducted in Europe suggest that black cohosh may combat the
effects of hot flashes associated with menopause; however,
it is not thought to be a substitute for hormone replacement
therapy in menopausal and postmenopausal women. Another recent
study suggests black cohosh may protect animals from osteoporosis.
This effect has not been duplicated in human studies.
How much black cohosh should I take?
The recommended dose is 40mg of black cohosh per day. Make
sure to consult with your health provider for the proper dosages
and types of black cohosh available.
What forms of black cohosh are available?
Powdered black cohosh root is widely available at most health
food stores. It can also be found in teas, extracts (both
solid and liquid) and tinctures.
What can happen if I take too much
black cohosh? Are there any interactions I should be aware
of? What precautions should I take?
The German Commission E has recommended that patients should
not take black cohosh longer than six months at a time. Some
patients taking high doses of black cohosh have reported mild
side effects, including abdominal pain; diarrhea; dizziness;
headaches; nausea; tremors; and a slowed heart rate.
Pregnant women should not take black cohosh, especially during
the first two trimesters of pregnancy, because an overdose
of the herb may stimulate contractions and lead to premature
birth. Patients taking birth control pills or on hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) should also avoid black cohosh.
Other Resources :
More You Know About Nutrition
- Beuscher N. Cimicifuga racemosa L.
black cohosh. Z Phytotherapie 1995;16:301310.
- Blumenthal M (ed.) The Complete German
Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines.
Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998.
- Gruenwald J. Standardized black cohosh
(cimicifuga) extract clinical monograph. Quart
Rev Nat Med Summer 1998;11725.
- Liske E, Wüstenberg P. Therapy of
climacteric complaints with cimicifuga racemosa:
a herbal medicine with clinically proven evidence [abstract
#98.0020]. Poster presentation. Ninth Annual Meeting of
the North American Menopause Society, Toronto, Canada, September
- Stoll W. Phytopharmaceutical influences
atrophic vaginal epithelium. Double-blind study on cimicifuga
versus an estrogen preparation. Therapeutikon 1987;1:2332.