Black Cohosh Benefits and Side EffectsGrowing Herbs: Common Name: black cohosh, black snakeroot, squawroot, bugwort, and bugbane. Latin Name: Actaea racemosa Native Americans came by the cohosh plant’s root over two centuries ago. The herb cohosh, with a Latin name, Actaea racemosa (formerly Cimicifuga racemosa), is a tall and flowering plant. It can be found in the abundant, shady woods in the eastern parts of North America. This plant is a member of the buttercup family and is commonly known as black snakeroot, squawroot, bugwort, and bugbane. The cohosh plant’s rhizomes and roots (which are both underground parts) have medical uses. It aids in reducing menstrual cramps as well as menopause symptoms, such as mood swings, irritability, vaginal dryness, night sweats, and hot flashes. People today are still using the plant for the very same reasons. As a matter of fact, it has been used extensively in Europe for over 40 years. In Germany, it is even approved to ease painful menstruation, premenstrual discomfort, and symptoms of menopause. The plant’s rhizomes and roots are usually used fresh or dried. It is used to make capsules, teas, liquid extracts, or capsules. Symptoms of Menopause This herb is a popular natural remedy to ease the symptoms of menopause like dryness of the vagina, hot flashes, heart palpitations, migraines, sleep disturbances, and mood disturbances. Primary studies on the herb propose that it may help improve some symptoms of menopause for up to 6 months. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in 2001 that the plant may help in the short-term relief (less than six months) of hot flashes. But, a more current year-long study on the plant, didn’t find any significant advantage for women experiencing night sweats or hot flashes. Researchers from the National Institute on Aging and researchers from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine took 351 pre-menopausal women and post-menopausal women and put them on the herb alone, mixed with other herbs, black cohosh and a diet increased in soy, or hormone replacement therapy. This is the longest study so far, but, there were still some limitations, like the small number of subjects in every group. The authors of the study admitted that they may not have been able to detect changes. Breast Cancer Treatment Related Hot Flashes Medications for breast cancer such as tamoxifen can bring about hot flashes. A lot of breast cancer patients use cohosh to lessen the number and the intensity of hot flashes. However, there are studies that concluded that the herb is no more useful than placebo. Researchers from Yale also stated that herbal medications like cohosh may get in the way of breast cancer treatments like cancer therapy medications and radiation. Some concerns about cohosh containing plant-based estrogens or phytoestrogens have been acknowledged. These hormones can encourage the development of breast tumors. But, in a study conducted on 949 breast cancer cases and on 1,524 controls, it was discovered that the use of black cohosh had major protective benefits against the development of breast cancer. People with a history of the disease, risk factors, who are getting treated for it, are advised to talk to their doctors first before using the herb. Black Cohosh Side Effects The herb hasn’t been proven safe for children and women who are breastfeeding or pregrant. Nurse and midwives sometimes use it to induce labor, however, pregnant woment shouldn’t use it with no supervision by a skilled healthcare provider due to the fact that it could inspire uterine contractions and may result in miscarriage. People experiencing hormone-sensitive conditions, like prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian or uterine cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, should not use the black cohosh until more information about how it works and if it has a hormonal effect is known. The use of black cohosh may cause perspiration, indigestion, headache, low blood pressure, nausea, weight gain, vomiting, and leg heaviness. Using of the plant in excess may lead to irregular or slow heartbeat, seizures, and visual disturbances. There have been many reports of liver damage assumed to be related to the use of this herb. In a lot of the cases, other medical conditions were present and other medications were used that may also have added to the liver damage. Health Canada warned consumers in August 2006 of the possible relations between liver damage and black cohosh. The United States Pharmacopeia, in June of 2007, recommended that labels of black cohosh products should have an advisory statement. According to the American Botanical Council, there is no sufficient proof to justify this proposed warning statement. Cohosh should be avoided by people suffering from allergies to plants that belong to the buttercup family. Since the plant has small quantities of salicylic acid, those with an allergic reaction to salicylates or aspirin should not use this. Other people warned not to use black cohosh are those with a history of stroke, seizure, liver disease, blood clot, and those under medication for high blood pressure. Similar Posts _________________________________________________________________ Top of Black Cohosh Listed under Growing Herbs
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