Black Cohosh: Characteristics, Uses And Precautions
Black cohosh can relieve symptoms of menopause, increase fertility, and treat various gynecological problems. Discover other of its benefits, as well as its possible adverse effects.
Black cohosh is a plant with large leaves and tall clusters of white flowers native to North America. Both its flowers and its roots were used by Native Americans in the treatment of gynecological, kidney and even mental problems.
Currently, Actaea racemosa , as it is also known, serves as an active ingredient in supplements related to women’s health, especially aimed at alleviating the symptoms of menopause, increasing fertility and balancing the hormonal balance. Discover everything you need to know about this plant.
Uses and possible health benefits
As mentioned before, most of its benefits and uses are associated with women’s health. Let’s see in detail how it can help them, as well as its other attributed benefits.
1. Relieve the symptoms of menopause
Most people use black cohosh to combat menopausal symptoms (fatigue, hot flashes, sweating, insomnia, mood swings, etc.).
A study of 80 menopausal women with hot flashes showed that those who consumed 20 milligrams of black cohosh daily for 8 weeks experienced a decrease in the amount and severity of hot flashes.
However, and although there are other studies that support these effects, more research is still needed to certify cohosh as a palliative for menopausal symptoms.
2. Could increase fertility
While it is true that many sellers of black cohosh claim that it can improve fertility, the scientific evidence is scant.
According to research published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online and Gynecological Endocrinology , black cohosh increases the effectiveness of clomiphene, a drug to treat infertility in women with ovulation problems, which in turn increases their chances of getting pregnant.
The studies also found an improvement in pregnancy and ovulation rates in infertile women who took black cohosh and clomiphene supplements. However, more research on these effects is still required.
3. Treat various gynecological problems
Black cohosh is also known to treat other diseases that afflict women. These include the following:
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): According to a study published in Gynecological Endocrinology , black cohosh supplements may increase the chances of getting pregnant by a woman with PCOS taking clomiphene. Similarly, research published in the European Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Biology found that these supplements regulate the cycles of women with PCOS.
- Fibroids: a study with 244 menopausal women proved that daily supplementation with 40 milligrams of black cohosh is capable of reducing the size of uterine fibroids by 30%.
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): Although there are those who claim that black cohosh can treat the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, there is not enough scientific evidence to certify it.
- Regulation of the menstrual cycle: There is scientific evidence that black cohosh supplements can help regulate the menstrual cycle in women with fertility treatments who are PCOS patients or not.
4. Reduces the risk of breast cancer
Since black cohosh behaves like the hormone estrogen, it is believed that it may worsen or increase the risk of breast cancer.
However, a study published in Integrative Cancer Therapies found that black cohosh does not increase the chances of developing breast cancer. On the contrary, it was associated with a lower risk.
According to test tube studies, black cohosh extract can act as an anti-estrogen and slow the spread of breast cancer cells. However, more research is still required.
5. Could improve mental health
Black cohosh is thought to improve mental health, especially in menopausal women. According to research published in Post Reproductive Health , black cohosh supplements have no effect on anxiety, but they may improve some psychological symptoms.
Now, more studies are needed to support this benefit of black cohosh supplements.
6. It would improve the quality of sleep
A small study of 42 menopausal women suggested that black cohosh supplements can improve the duration and quality of sleep.
Likewise, research published in Minerva Obstetrics and Gynecology found that combining black cohosh with other compounds (chasteberry, zinc, ginger, and hyaluronic acid) would improve hot flashes that cause anxiety and insomnia. However, it is difficult to know if it was the compound that was behind these effects.
7. Stimulate weight loss
Menopausal women tend to gain weight, given the natural decrease in their estrogen levels. Now, since there is scientific evidence of the estrogenic effects of black cohosh, it is believed that it could help control weight at this stage.
Black cohosh care and side effects
Although black cohosh has side effects, they are mostly mild. These include an upset stomach, skin rashes, muscle pain, enlarged breasts, spotting or bleeding outside of your period, among others.
Serious cases include exacerbating liver damage, which is why people with these diseases or under treatment should avoid it. Similarly, an animal study linked high doses to red blood cell damage, leading to anemia. However, more research is required to look at these effects in humans.
On the other hand, it should be taken into account that research on black cohosh is scarce, so there could be other adverse effects that are not known.
Dosage and presentations of black cohosh
Black cohosh can be found in various forms, whether they are capsules, liquid extract, or tea. According to the doses, these can vary depending on the brand, however, the general is between 20 to 120 milligrams of extract or powder per day.
It is believed that to treat the symptoms of menopause you need to take at least 20 milligrams a day. However, some experts assure that it should not be ingested for more than 6 months, given its potential to cause liver damage.
For their part, supplements often come in forms that mix other compounds, such as red clover, soy isoflavones, chasteberry, St. John’s wort, dong quai, and vitamin C.
Combining black cohosh with each of these could help boost their function of relieving menopausal symptoms. However, more studies are still required to support such hypotheses.
Black cohosh: an ally against the symptoms of menopause
Black cohosh is a medicinal plant from North America. Ancient Native Americans used it to treat conditions that afflicted women, as well as other ailments, such as a sore throat, kidney problems, and even depression.
Currently, its applications have not changed much. It is mainly used to relieve menopausal symptoms, increase fertility, and treat various gynecological problems, such as fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, and premenstrual syndrome.
Although most of its adverse effects are mild, it should be taken into account that it could worsen liver damage, as well as affect red blood cells, causing anemia.
