We Know: All About Black Cohosh What is Black Cohosh? Black cohosh is an herbal medicine that was first, and widely, used by Indian people in North America to treat a variety of ailments. In the 19th century, its use filtered down into the dominant culture where it achieved home remedy status for all kinds of maladies. Since then alternative health practitioners have promoted its use to primarily treat women's reproductive problems Black cohosh is a perennial plant that is native to North America and is a member of the buttercup family. It is also known as black snake root, bugbane, bugwort, rattleroot, rattletop, rattleweed, and macrotys. Botanically, it has two names: Actaea racemosa and Cimicifuga racemosa. So, is it mostly an herbal remedy for women's health situations? Yes, that has become its main use, primarily to reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes, sleep and mood disturbances, and other menopausal symptoms. It is important to note that this is not just in alternative health areas anymore either. Mainstream medical people and the pharmaceutical industry have become very interested in it. Currently, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has in its guidelines support for its use for up to six months for certain menopausal symptoms. One of the large pharmaceutical companies is selling a black cohosh supplement. And the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health is funding a scientific study to determine whether treatment with black cohosh actually achieves what the claims, anecdotal evidence, and early empirical observations suggest it does. How does Black Cohosh work? At the moment no one knows for sure. Evidence for whether it operates in a hormonal way is currently contradictory. How does it differ from Isoflavone? Another common substance being promoted to help reduce menopausal distress in women is isoflavone, which can be found in soy products and in supplement form. Recent studies are finding that isoflavone may not be all that some have claimed it to be; plus, there are growing concerns about its safety, especially because it operates hormonally (see article, All About Isoflavone). Because there is, as of yet, no conclusive evidence that black cohash acts hormonally, it is considered safer to use than isoflavone. How is it used? It is normally taken as an herbal supplement, in either capsule form or as a tincture. Are there any negatives to Black Cohosh? So far it is considered one of the safer herbal supplements. But it is a medicine and medicines almost always have side effects. The most common ones associated with black cohosh are gastrointestinal discomfort. In some rare cases, headaches, giddiness, nausea, and vomiting have also been reported. There is some concern too that it may have a negative interaction with the cancer drug, tamoxifen and that it could negatively impact women with breast cancer. If you are taking tamoxifen and/or have breast cancer, consult with your physician before taking black cohosh. When should you not use Black Cohosh? Because so little is yet known about how it works, black cohosh should not be used during pregnancy, if you're planning or considering pregnancy, or if you are nursing. It should also not be considered as an alternative for hormone replacement therapy if that is being considered or has been prescribed for a person.
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