Black Cohosh for Menopause Relief

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa or Cimicifuga racemosa) is a plant, which is native to North America. This herb, which is also known as black snakeroot, bugbane or bugwort, has been used by humans for its medicinal properties for a very long time. It is believed that Native Americans used the roots and stems of this plant for treating various medical conditions. The extract prepared from black cohosh is believed to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, while some people use it as a sedative too. Nowadays this extract is mainly used for treating symptoms associated with menopause.

Black Cohosh and Menopausal Symptoms

Menopause is the permanent end to the menstrual cycle or menstruation in a woman's life. It is a natural process which can cause several physical and emotional symptoms. The most common menopausal symptoms include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, headaches, thinning of hair, vaginal dryness, etc. The symptoms can be mild for some women, but, some others may find it exhausting and affecting their daily activities. The conventional treatment includes hormone therapy, antidepressants, vaginal estrogen and other medications, that are aimed at relieving the symptoms. Lifestyle and diet changes are also recommended to combat the symptoms. There are women, who resort to alternative medicine for relief from menopause symptoms. One such treatment option is black cohosh, which is widely used in Europe and other regions.

Studies show that this herb can work as a painkiller. Apart from that, it has certain steroids, that act as anti-inflammatory agents. Some compounds in black cohosh, like formononetin and cimicifugoside can affect the female reproductive organs. While the former stimulates estrogen production, latter acts as a fungicide. Another compound called fukinolic acid is similar to estrogen. Even though, it cannot replace estrogen, it can produce similar effects and trick the body to believe that it has adequate levels of estrogen. Hot flashes, caused by sudden temperature variations in the body (due to dip in the estrogen levels) can be alleviated with black cohosh. It is also used as a remedy for hot flashes. Apart from hot flashes and mood swings, other symptoms are also eased with this herb. It is also said to be good for easing mood swings. Though, most of the users are satisfied with the results, there is no scientific backing for its efficacy.

Black cohosh comes in different forms, but it is mainly used as tablets, that too for a very short term. It is not recommended to take this herb for more than six months. Any long-term use can cause side effects like gastric problems, liver complaints, headaches, nausea and dark-colored urine. It is also not recommended for women with breast cancer. However, if you intend to take black cohosh for menopause, you must seek the opinion of your doctor first, and then approach a qualified herbal practitioner for treatment with this herb. Menopause symptoms can be alleviated with this herb, but, don't take it in excess, and stick to the prescribed doses and period of treatment.