Black Cohosh

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a perennial plant that is native to North America.  It is used for its root, which contains several therapeutic triterpene compounds.

Black cohosh is used for the treatment of these conditons:

Endometriosis:

Although not proven in clinical studies, there are anecdotal reports that black cohosh temporarily alleviates the pain associated with endometriosis.

Menopause:

Black cohosh alleviates many of the unpleasant side effects of menopause.  This occurs via one of the active constituents of black cohosh mimicking the effects of oestriol, a hormone that declines with menopause.

One clinical study found that the relief of symptoms that occurs with black cohosh is comparable to the relief obtained from hormone replacement therapy (but without the harmful side effects).  The study found that 80% of women experienced relief from their symptoms within eight weeks of commencing black cohosh therapy.  In particular, there was a noticeable reduction in hot flashes, depression and atrophy of the vagina in women using black cohosh.

Ovarian Cysts:

Many women report temporary relief from the pelvic pain associated with ovarian cysts with black cohosh.  This use of black cohosh has not yet been studied in humans.

Painful Menstruation:
(Dysmenorrhea )

Black cohosh is useful for the treatment of many menstrual disorders.  It has a long history of traditonal use for the treatment of painful menstruation, although this use of black cohosh has not yet been tested in clinical trials.

PMS:
Pre-Menstrual Syndrome

Black cohosh is prescribed by many herbalists for the treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome.

This use of black cohosh has not yet been studied in clinical trials.

Tinnitus:

Black cohosh directly inhibits vasomotor centers involved in inner ear balance and hearing.  Via this mechanism, it may be useful for the treatment of tinnitus.

Dosage:

80 - 160 mg per day (using a black cohosh product standardized to contain 2.5% triterpenes).  This would equate to 2 - 4 mg per day of triterpenes.

References

Endometriosis

· LaClair, B.  Black cohosh and women’s health.  Well Being Journal.  8(3):24, 1999.

Menopause

· Lieberman, S.  A review of the effectiveness of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) for the symptoms of menopause.  J Womens Health.  7(5):525-529, 1998.

Ovarian Cysts

· LaClair, B.  Black cohosh and women’s health.  Well Being Journal.  8(3):24, 1999.

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Blumenthal, M., et al.  The Complete German Commission E Monographs:  Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines.  American Botanical Council and Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications, Austin, Texas USA.  1998:90.

Tinnitus

Salerna, G.  [Cimicifuga racemosa in otology; experimental study.]  Minerva Otorinolaringologica.  5(3):140-147, 1955.

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