Therapeutic Uses
- Premenstrual Syndrome – Commission E, the expert panel that evaluates herbal medicines for the German counterpart of the FDA, endorses the use of black cohosh to treat PMS. This endorsement is based on 40 years of testimonials and clinical experience.
- Menstrual Cramps – Likewise, Commission E endorses the use of black cohosh to treat menstrual cramps.
- Menopausal Complaints – Trials evaluating the effectiveness of black cohosh found that participants had fewer and briefer hot flashes, less vaginal dryness, improved mood, and relief from fatigue.
- Hormone Replacement Alternative – When comparing pharmaceutical hormone replacements with black cohosh, researchers found that participants who were given black cohosh experienced just as much benefit from their treatment as those treated with pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, the black cohosh caused no significant side effects.
- Breast Cancer – It appears that black cohosh may reduce the risk of breast cancer. Laboratory studies have shown that the herb inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells. Researchers concluded that black cohosh has a significant breast-cancer-protective effect.
- High Blood Pressure – Black cohosh reduces blood pressure by opening blood vessels in the limbs. The herb may help manage high blood pressure, but consult your physician before use.
Medicinal Uses: *Acne *Anxiety *Breast Cancer *Bug Bites *Cough *Fever *Heart Disease *Induction of Labor *Infertility *Menopausal Symptoms *Mental Function *Migraine Headache *Mole Removal *Osteoarthritis *Osteoporosis *Painful Menstruation *Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) *Rheumatism *Rheumatoid Arthritis *Snake Bite *Sore Throat *Wart Removal
Black Cohosh Side Effects: Black cohosh can cause some mild side effects such as stomach upset, cramping, headache, rash, a feeling of heaviness, vaginal spotting or bleeding, and weight gain. There is also some concern that black cohosh may be associated with liver damage. People with liver disease should avoid taking black cohosh. Black cohosh is possibly unsafe when used during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Since black cohosh acts somewhat like a female hormone it might increase the risk of miscarriage. There is some concern that black cohosh might worsen existing breast cancer. Women who have breast cancer or who have had breast cancer in the past, and women at high-risk for breast cancer, should avoid black cohosh. Do not take black cohosh if you have a condition that could be affected by female hormones. These conditions include ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, and other conditions. People who have received a kidney transplant should avoid black cohosh. People with protein S deficiency should avoid black cohosh.
Black Cohosh Drug Interactions: Taking black cohosh with atorvastatin (Lipitor) might increase the chance of liver damage. There is some concern that black cohosh might decrease how well cisplatin (Platinol-AQ) works for cancer. Do not take black cohosh if you are taking cisplatin (Platinol-AQ). Black cohosh might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking black cohosh along with some medications that are changed by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of your medication. Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), clozapine (Clozaril), codeine, desipramine (Norpramin), donepezil (Aricept), fentanyl (Duragesic), flecainide (Tambocor), fluoxetine (Prozac), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), olanzapine (Zyprexa), ondansetron (Zofran), tramadol (Ultram), trazodone (Desyrel), and others. Do not take black cohosh if you are taking a medication that can harm the liver. Some medications that can harm the liver include acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ilosone, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and many others.
