Black Cohosh
Native Americans used black cohosh for a variety of ailments, mostly related to female’s health. It has a plant-based compound that mimics the action of the hormone estrogen.
NOTE: Don't confuse black cohosh with blue cohosh or white cohosh.
Usage
Black Cohosh is being used to support people experiencing menopausal symptoms to reduce pain, and it has compelling evidence to support this.
Painful Menstruations
Black Cohosh can help with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and painful menstruations.
Menopause & Hot Flashes
Has estrogen-like properties that is used to treat menopause symptoms and night sweats.
How to add black cohosh to your diet?
Make a Tea
The taste of this tea can be slightly bitter.
As a Supplement
Available in liquid extracts, capsules, and powders.
Traditional Chinese medicine, as well as Western practice, has a long history of using cohosh as a painkiller.
Native American folk reportedly facilitated childbirth with this herb.
Although traditionally used, teas may not be as effective in relieving menopausal symptoms as a standardized extract.
Native Americans used the root of the black cohosh plant to soothe menstrual cramps.
About
Actaea racemsa is a two-and-a-half-meter-tall, flowering plant with fluffy white flowers found in rich, shady forests in eastern North America. It is a member of the buttercup family known by various names.
Almost three centuries, Native Americans noticed that the root of the black cohosh plant soothes menstrual cramps and symptoms related to menopause, such as irritability, mood swings, and insomnia. Basically, they were using it to treat a variety of health problems - from nervousness to cough.
Science
The bioactivity of black cohosh is not well understood, but it certainly contains compounds implicated in effects on hot flashes in menopausal women, although there is no effect confirmed by high-quality clinical research.
Research revealed that black cohosh binds to the body’s opioid receptors, which insures the analgesic effect. Nowadays, it is used to relieve muscle aches and tiredness, and menstrual cramps. Dietary supplements that contain black cohosh are marketed prevalently to women.
The effectiveness of using black cohosh has been a subject of an ongoing debate among researchers. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) highlights the fact that the early studies were poorly designed and short in duration. However, the ACOG recognizes the value of black cohosh for menopausal symptoms to an extent.
Composition
The gnarled black roots are used for medicinal purposes. Black cohosh contains glycosides (sugar compounds), isoferulinic acids (substances with anti-inflammatory action), and possible phytoestrogens (plant estrogens), among several other active substances.
Menopause & Hot Flashes
Black cohosh is generally safe when taken appropriately. Some of the reported repo00rt side effects, including abdominal pain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, joint pains, nausea, slow heart rate, tremors, visual dimness, vomiting, and weight gain.
A few cases of liver toxicity have been reported, but a direct association with the ingestion of black cohosh has not been demonstrated. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid black cohosh as the herb may stimulate contractions and lead to premature labor, unless under the strict supervision of a knowledgeable physician.
Fun Facts
Midwives used it to induce childbirth if the baby was overdue.
Sources
McKenna, D. J., Jones, K., Humphrey, S., & Hughes, K. (2001). Black cohosh: efficacy, safety, and use in clinical and preclinical applications. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 7(3), 93.
Johnson, T. L., & Fahey, J. W. (2012). Black cohosh: Coming full circle?. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 141(3), 775-779.