Tweet

What is Black cohosh Black cohosh is a herbal medicine used to treat hot flashes, night sweats and other symptoms of menopause...(more) Black cohosh Herbal Preparation ,.Black cohosh are available in dired roots or liquid extract form for tea. Capsules and tablets are also available.(more)

Black cohosh used in medicine. Used to treat stomachache, as tonic for health and for many other illness..(more)

Black cohosh use warning and cautions. Abuse of use may cause poisoning and not recommended fo pregnant women...(more)

 

Scientific name : Actaea racemosa   and   Cimicifuga racemosa

Also known as : black snakeroot, bugbane, bugwort, rattleroot, rattletop, rattleweed, and macrotys.

Black cohosh  (Actaea racemosa , Cimicifuga racemosa), a member of the buttercup family, is a herbaceous perennial plant that is native to North America. Black cohosh is a traditional herbal medicine used for rheumatism, arthritis, muscle pain and nervous disorders. Contemporary health benefits from Black cohosh use include treatment for premenstrual tensions, symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and night sweat, and other gynecological problems in women.

Black cohosh is an erect perennial plant that grows from underground rhizome (stems) up to 2 meters height. Black cohosh has large compound leaves up to 1 meter in length that has 2 to 5 leaflets that are arranged in three repeated leaflets. Black cohosh leaves are green that has serrated margins. Black cohosh produces flowers from a tall arching stalk during the months of June to September. The flower is composed of tightly clustered greenish-white stamens surrounding a white stigma. Black cohosh flower has a distinct sweet smell that attracts insects. Black cohosh bear fruits that are dry about 10 mm long with one carpel containing seeds.

Black cohosh Traditional Health Benefits

Black cohosh was used in North American Indian medicine for  

• colds,
• cough,
• constipation,
• hives,
• backache
• kidney disorders,
• malaria,
• rheumatism,
• sore throat.
• induce lactation.
• lung conditions,
• neurological conditions,
• menstrual problems,
• inflammation of the uterus or ovaries,
• infertility,
• threatened miscarriage,
• relief of labor pains.

The above uses are not supported by any scientific study.

Black cohosh is now being used to help manage some symptoms of premenstrual tensions, menopause and other gynecological problems in women.

Black cohosh is used to treat the following symptoms of menopause:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Irregular periods
• Loss of libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Mood swings
• Insomia or lack of sleep
• Depression
• Head ache
• Irritability

Black cohosh is also used as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy.

The health and medical benefits of black cohosh to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats and others are inconclusive.

Various scientific studies on black cohosh to treat symptoms of menopause have shown conflicting results. Some study results suggest that black cohosh may help relieve symptoms of menopause, while other study results do not. The difference of scientific results maybe partly due to the differences in processes, interpretation of data, amount and quality of black cohosh used in the treatment and the duration of the study.

Recently, NCCAM is funding studies to further understand the potential effects of black cohosh on hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause

There are no definitive scientific studies to determine whether black cohosh is effective for rheumatism or for its other traditional uses.

.

• Extracts of black cohosh are made from its roots and rhizomes (underground stems).
• Black cohosh is available in any store that sells nutritional supplements.
• Black cohosh is available in capsules in dried root form
• Follow the manufacturers instruction whenever available.

Dosage and Availability

The usual daily dosage is 40 milligrams, but because the strength of commercial preparations may vary, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions whenever available.

The dried root is used to make tea. Boil for 20 minutes and let it steep. Take 1 to 2 cups per day.

.

• Just like any other herbal medicines, abuse of use may cause adverse reactions and poisoning, moderation in use is recommended.
• Black cohosh use during pregnancy and breast feeding is discouraged. There are no sufficient studies that have established its safe use during pregnancy.
• Side effect of overdose, include head ache, nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, nervous system and visual disturbances, reduced pulse rate, rash and increased perspiration.

Warnings

Black cohosh may cause liver disorder. In rare cases, women who are taking black cohosh reported liver disorder. It is not clear if black cohosh is responsible but the United States Pharmacopeia suggest that if symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice or dark urine is noted, use of black cohosh should be discontinued and the woman is adviced to seek medical attention.

There are no sufficient studies made on the effects of black cohosh to breast tissues. Patients with breast cancer should avoid using black cohosh.

Black cohosh along side with blue cohosh ( Caullophylum thalictroides) are also used to induce labor in home deliveries. But adverse reaction to newborns were reported, primarily suspected due to blue cohosh use and not to black cohosh.

Large dose of black cohosh may cause miscarriage and pre-term labor.

Interactions

There are no reports that black cohosh has interact with other drugs. Although no sufficient scientific study has been done.

Black cohosh can affect the hormonal balance. Do not take if in oral contraceptives or having hormonal replacement theraphy without the supervision of your professional health provider.

 

• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Office of Dietary Supplements, http://nccam.nih.gov/health/blackcohosh/
• Black cohosh Actaea racemosa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actaea_racemosa
• Black cohosh root. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:22–26.
• Borrelli F, Ernst E. Black cohosh for menopausal symptoms: a systematic review of its efficacy. Pharmacological Research. 2008;58(1):8–14.
• Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa [L.] Nutt.). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturalstandard.com

Sambong Herbal Medicine A diuretic herbal remedy for the treatment and dissolution of kidney stones, and in the treatment of hypertension..

Malunggay Herbal Medicine A tropoicl herb known for its nutritional value to combat malnutrition. It is also known for its medicinal properties against cancer.

blog comments powered by Disqus