GENERAL INFORMATION: Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a tall flowering plant that grows in rich, shady woods in Eastern parts of North America. Native Americans first discovered the root of the plant more than two centuries ago. They found the plant to be useful in relieving menstrual cramps and menopause-related 'hot flashes', irritability, sleep disturbances, and mood swings. The rhizome and roots of Black cohosh are still used today for these purposes. The herb has been widely used for more than 40 years in Europe and is approved in Germany for premenstrual discomfort, painful menstruation, and menopausal symptoms. These effects have been studied and documented in the medical literature (see references below).
MENOPAUSE: The institute for Natural Products Research in St. Croix, Minn., found contemporary uses of Black cohosh to be primarily geared toward the treatment of the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, and menopausal anxiety (1). In European phytotherapy, Remifemin, a standardized extract of Black cohosh, is commonly prescribed as an effective alternative to hormone replacement therapy for menopause (1).
ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT: A University of Bridgeport review of eight human studies found Cimicifuga racemosa to be a safe, effective, alternative to estrogen replacement therapy for those patients in whom estrogen replacement therapy is either refused or
contraindicated (4).
HORMONAL DEFICITS: Extracts have also been shown to be useful for younger women suffering hormonal deficits following ovariectomy or hysterectomy, as well as for juvenile menstrual disorders (1).
GYNECOLOGICAL: Extracts of the rootstock of the herb Cimicifuga racemosa are known to be active ingredients for the treatment of gynecologic disorders, particularly climacteric symptoms (3).
BREAST CANCER: Extracts of several estrogenic herbs, including Black cohosh, inhibited growth of T-47D breast cancer cells in studies performed at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of the New York Institute of Technology (5). Studies by research teams in Germany also found Cimicifuga racemosa to be a safe, natural remedy for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer (6).
SAFETY: The safety profile of Black cohosh is positive, with low toxicity, few and mild side effects, and good tolerability (1). A study by Interactive Medicine Education Associates of Corrales, NM found that of 2,800 menopausal patients treated with Black cohosh, only 5.4% demonstrated adverse events. Of these, 97% were minor and did not result in discontinuation of therapy. The only severe events were not attributed to Cimicifuga treatment (2).
REFERENCES:
(1) McKenna DJ, Jones K, Humphrey S, Hughes K. Black cohosh: efficacy, safety, and use in clinical and preclinical applications. [Review]. Altern Ther Health Med. 2001;7(3):93-100.
(2) Dog TL, Powell KL, Weisman SM. Critical evaluation of the safety of Cimicifuga racemosa in menopause symptom relief. Menopause. 2003 Jul-Aug; 10(4): 299-313.
(3) Liske E. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of Cimicifuga racemosa for gynecologic disorders. Advances in Natural Therapy. 1998;75:45-53.
(4) Lieberman S. A review of the effectiveness of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) for the symptoms of menopause. J Womens Health. 998;5:525529
(5) Dixon-Shanies D, Shaikh N. Growth inhibition of human breast cancer cells by herbs and phytoestrogens. Oncol Rep. 1996;6(6):1383-1387.
(6) Bodinet C, Freudenstein J. Influence of Cimicifuga racemosa on the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2002 Nov; 76(1): 1-10.
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