Black Cohosh

Get into hormonal balance with Black Cohosh

Cimicifuga (Cimicifuga Racemosa - black cohosh) or botryoid coriander is a well-known herb for treating symptoms in conditions such as premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea and menopause.

A little history

Native Americans have traditionally used this herb to treat arthritis, fatigue and snake bites. In the late 19th century, Black Cohosh became the key ingredient in the hugely popular remedy for menstrual cramps and became known as Lydia Pinkham's Herbal. Black Cohosh has also been a popular treatment in Europe for treating gynecological problems, arthritis and high blood pressure.

The benefits        

Modern research suggests that Black Cohosh mimics the action of estrogen. The herb appears to act like estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors in the body. It also appears to suppress the pituitary hormone LH (luteinizing hormone), the levels of which rise dramatically during menopause.

Menopause

Studies have shown that menopausal women, after using Black Cohosh for 4 to 6 weeks, experience significant improvement in many symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, headache, dizziness, palpitations, buzzing, of nervousness, irritability, sleep disorders, anxiety, vaginal dryness and depression. The best evidence for the beneficial action of Black Cohosh comes from a double blind study showing that Black Cohosh is< strong> more effective than estrogen in treating menopausal symptoms. However, there is no evidence that black cohosh prevents osteoporosis or heart disease, two important benefits that estrogen provides.

Disorders during Menstruation

Black Cohosh may be mildly effective in treating PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and dysmenorrhea.