Black Cohosh Research on Menopause

Research on Black Cohosh

In a study of 704 women, 49% of the women who took the preparation experienced complete relief of menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, sweating, headache, vertigo, heart palpitation, and ringing in the ears.) An additional 37.8% reported significant improvement. According to the physicians who participated in the study, 72% of the women who took the black cohosh treatment experienced advantages over those given hormonal treatment (as measured by results on the Kupperman Menopausal Index and the Hamilton Anxiety test.)

In another controlled study, of 629 women with menopausal complaints who took a standardized extract of black cohosh twice a day, 76 to 93% had an overall improvement in hot flashes, headache, irritability, heart palpitations, mild depression and sleep disturbances. The reduction in headache, sleep disturbances and heart palpitations is understandable because black cohosh also contains a small amount of salicylic acid (used to make aspirin) that has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving qualities.

Results of animal studies in Japan suggest that one variety of black cohosh may increase bone mineral density. No human studies have been done yet, but the results point in the direction of black cohosh also helping protect against osteoporosis

How safe is this herb? More than 40 years' of use in Germany has shown no evidence of serious adverse effects, contraindications or drug interactions. The only side effect shown appeared in only 7% of the participants in one of many studies. In this case, the women experienced a short-term stomach upset, but not enough to stop taking the herb and the problem didn't continue for long.

Another study critically evaluated the safety of black cohosh. The researchers examined all published studies, the FDA and World Health Organization adverse-event reporting systems, monographs, data from major manufacturers, and anecdotal reports. Human trials of more than 2,800 women demonstrated a very low incidence of adverse events (5.4%). Of these, 97% were minor and the only severe events weren't due to taking black cohosh at all.

So far, no overdose amount has been found for black cohosh in humans. In one study involving animals who were given 90 times the daily human equivalent, no negative results were found.

References:

1. Dog, TL, Powell KL, Weisman SM. (2003). Critical evaluation of the safety of Cimicifuga racemosa in menopause symptom relief. Menopause 10(4):299-313.
2. Lieberman, S. (1998). A review of the effectiveness ofof black cohosh for the symptoms of menopause. Journal of Women's Health 7:525-9.
3. Liske, E. (1998). Therapeutic efficacy and safety of Cimicifuga racemos(black cohosh)for gynecologic disorders. Advanced Therapeutics 15:45-53.
4. Liske, E. (1998). Therapy of climacteric complaints with Cimicifuga racemosa (black coshosh: herbal medicine with clinically proven evidence. Menopause5:250.
5. Petit, JL. (2000). Black Cohosh. Clinican Reviews l0(4); 117-119.
6. Thomsen, M & Schmidt, M. (2003). Hepatotoxicty from cimicifuga racemosa? Recent Australian case report not sufficiently substantiated.Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 9(3):337-40.
7. Tzingounis, MA. (1978). Estriol in the management of the menopause. Journal of the American Medical Association 239:1638-41.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.