Black Cohosh Benefits | Menopause, Menstrual Health & Muscle Pain
Black Cohosh is a member of the buttercup plant family and is native to North America. Native Americans first used black cohosh many centuries ago to treat female reproductive problems, including pain during childbirth, uterine colic, menstrual pain, snakebites and arthritis. Today, herbalists commonly use Black Cohosh to support healthy female reproductive function and relieve discomfort associated with perimenopause and menopause.
Black Cohosh Pharmacology
Botanical Name
Actaea racemosa & Cimicifuga racemosa
Other Common Names
Baneberry, Black Snakeroot, Bugbane, Bugwort, Cimicifuga, Rattle Root, Rattle Top, Rattlesnake Root, Rattleweed, Sheng Ma, Snakeroot & Squaw Root.
Part Used
Root
Main Therapeutic Compounds
Triterpene glycosides, including cimicifugoside, actein and 27-deoxyactein, and other quinolizidine alkaloids, phenolic acids, including isoferulic and fukinolic acid, salicylic acids, resins, fatty acids and tannin
Herbal Actions
Analgesics
Antispasmodic
Mild Sedative
Hormone Balancer
Anti-Inflammatory
Antirheumatic
Uterine Tonic
Black Cohosh Herbal Benefits
Menopause Symptoms || Hot Flushes || Premenstrual Syndrome || Muscle & Nerve Pain
Menopause & Perimenopause
Most clinical research on Black Cohosh has focused on its potential to manage and decrease the severity of various menopausal symptoms.
A 2020 study found that Black Cohosh can be beneficial for alleviating menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, sweating, mood swings, depression, anxiety, vaginal dryness and insomnia.
In a recent clinical human study, black cohosh and evening primrose oil effectively reduced the severity of menopause symptoms and improved quality of life; however, the researchers concluded that black cohosh seemed more effective than evening primrose oil at reducing the number of hot flushes and night sweats.
It is hypothesised that Black Cohosh may relieve menopausal symptoms by modulating serotonergic pathways or exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or selective oestrogen receptor modulating actions.
The compounds in Black Cohosh, including triterpenes and flavonoids, are believed to suppress luteinising hormone release (LH), which as a result, reduces the occurrence of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, heart palpitations, and vaginal drying and thinning.
Muscle Pain & Cramps
Due to the potent anti-spasmodic properties of Black Cohosh, it has long been traditionally used to treat menstrual pain and relieve muscle cramps. The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving actions of Black Cohosh are likely due to its salicylic acid content. Black cohosh may be beneficial for aches and pains connected to muscle strain or chronic nervous tension because of its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Black Cohosh Typical Use
Tea & Infusion
Dried Black Cohosh can be used to make a tea/infusion by boiling 10-20g of dried roots for 5 minutes. Consuming Black Cohosh as tea has been found to be the least effective at reducing menopause symptoms.
Dried Herb & Powder
Typical adult use of powdered or dried Black Cohosh root is 500mg - 2 grams daily in capsule, tablet or powder form.
Tincture & Liquid Extract
Typical adult use of Black Cohosh tincture or liquid extract is approximately 3 mls daily, or as directed by your practitioner.
Herbal Combinations
Black Cohosh combines well with Chastetree, Sage, Zizyphus, Lemon Balm & Peony Root
Cautions & Safety
Black Cohosh is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation.
It is recommended to only take Black Cohosh for a maximum of 6 months before having a break due to rare and spontaneous cases of hepatotoxicity. Black Cohosh is best avoided in pre-existing liver disease.
If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical medications, please consult your primary healthcare practitioner prior to use.
References
Lieberman S. A Review of the effectiveness of cimicifuga racemosa (Black Cohosh) for the symptoms of menopause. J Women's Health 1998;7:525-9.
Liske E, Wustenberg P. Therapy of climacteric complaints with Cimicifuga racemosa: herbal medicine with clinically proven evidence. Menopause 1998;5:250.
Pepping J. Black cohosh: Cimicifuga racemosa. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1999;56:1400-2.
Liske E. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of Cimicifuga racemosa for gynecologic disorders. Adv Ther 1998;15:45-53.
Jacobson JS, Troxel AB, Evans J, et al. Randomized trial of black cohosh for the treatment of hot flashes among women with a history of breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2001;19:2739-45.
Amato P, Christophe S, Mellon PL. Estrogenic activity of herbs commonly used as remedies for menopausal symptoms. Menopause 2002;9:145-50.
Kronenberg F, Fugh-Berman A. Complementary and alternative medicine for menopausal symptoms: a review of randomized, controlled trials. Ann Intern Med 2002;137:805-13.
Huntley A, Ernst E. A systematic review of the safety of black cohosh. Menopause 2003;10:58-64.
Pockaj BA, Loprinzi CL, Sloan JA, et al. Pilot evaluation of black cohosh for the treatment of hot flashes in women. Cancer Invest 2004;22:515-21.
Low, Dog T. Menopause: a review of botanical dietary supplements. Am J Med 12-19-2005;118 Suppl 12B:98-108.
Rhyu, M. R., Lu, J., Webster, D. E., Fabricant, D. S., Farnsworth, N. R., and Wang, Z. J. Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa) behaves as a mixed competitive ligand and partial agonist at the human mu opiate receptor. J Agric.Food Chem 12-27-2006;54(26):9852-9857.
Amsterdam JD, Yao Y, Mao JJ, Soeller I, Rockwell K, Shults J. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) in women with anxiety disorder due to menopause. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2009;29:478-83.
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