Black Cohosh Root

What is black cohosh root?

Scientifically, black cohosh is called Actaea racemosa or Cimicifuga racemosa. It is a perennial flowering plant with fragrant white flowers that grow on a spike-like stem that can grow up to 5 feet tall. It grows in the woods of the eastern United States and Canada. It is related to the buttercup. Black cohosh is one of the active ingredients in the popular supplement for women's health called Remifemin.

Its flowers and roots were often used in traditional Native American medicine. Today, it is a popular health supplement for women that is said to help with menopause symptoms, fertility, and hormonal balance. It might work because it is a phytoestrogen, which is a plant-based chemical that acts like the hormone estrogen. But there is some disagreement about whether black cohosh can really be called a phytoestrogen.

How do I use black cohosh root?

Black cohosh dosage recommendations vary from 20 to 80 mg daily. It is necessary to standardize the tablets so that 1 mg of 27-deoxyactein is present. That is equivalent to 2 to 4 cc of black cohosh tincture, taken once or three times a day in tea or water. The suggested daily dosage is usually given in two capsules or tablets.

Black cohosh root benefits:

Native Americans first used black cohosh, a white flowering plant native to eastern North America, to treat body pain, coughs, colds, weakness, and women's health and reproduction. Black cohosh is one of the most popular health supplements for women today. As scientists learned more about how well it works, they started to figure out what it might help with (hint: menopause) and what benefits needed more research.

◉ Menopause and menopause symptoms: Most people use black cohosh to help with the symptoms of menopause, and this is one of the uses for which there is the most evidence. In a study of 80 women going through menopause who were having hot flashes, those who took 20 mg of black cohosh every day for 8 weeks had much fewer and milder hot flashes than before they started taking the supplement. What’s more, other human studies have confirmed similar findings. Even though more research needs to be done, black cohosh seems to help with menopause symptoms.

◉ Fertility: Even though there are a lot of claims about how black cohosh can help you get pregnant or make you more fertile, there isn't a lot of evidence to back this up. But research shows that black cohosh may make the fertility drug Clomid (clomiphene citrate) work better for people who can't get pregnant. This would increase their chances of getting pregnant. Three small studies with real people show that women with infertility who took black cohosh supplements along with Clomid were more likely to get pregnant or ovulate.

◉ Mental health: Black cohosh may be good for mental health, especially in women who are going through menopause. One review of studies looked at how menopausal women use herbal supplements to help with anxiety and depression. Researchers found that taking black cohosh supplements didn't help with anxiety, but it was linked to big improvements in other psychological symptoms.

◉ Weight loss: As estrogen levels naturally drop after menopause, a woman may be more likely to gain weight she doesn't want. Theoretically, because black cohosh may have estrogenic effects, it may help menopausal women lose a little bit of weight.

Where to buy Black Cohosh Root?

Buy Black Cohosh Root from the health food store in the USA, Alive Herbals.

Black Cohosh Root information (at a glance):