Diet & Fitness

 

Some, but not all, double-blind trials support the usefulness of black cohosh for women with hot flashes associated with menopause.¹² In a three-month study of postmenopausal women, 40 mg per day of an extract of black cohosh was as effective as estrogen therapy in the treatment of hot flashes.¹³ A review of eight trials concluded black cohosh to be both safe and effective.¹⁴ However, one double-blind trial found that black cohosh is ineffective as a treatment for menopausal symptoms.¹⁵ Many doctors recommend 20 mg of a highly concentrated extract taken twice per day; 2 to 4 ml of tincture three times per day may also be used.

In a double-blind study of postmenopausal women who were experiencing psychological symptoms, a combination of black cohosh and St. John's wort was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving both menopausal symptoms and depression. The product used in this study contained (per tablet) black cohosh standardized to 1 mg of triterpene glycosides and St. John's wort standardized to 0.25 mg of hypericin. The amount taken was two tablets twice a day for eight weeks, followed by one tablet twice a day for eight weeks.¹⁶

In a double-blind study of postmenopausal women who were experiencing psychological symptoms, a combination of black cohosh and St. John's wort was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving both menopausal symptoms and depression. The product used in this study contained (per tablet) black cohosh standardized to 1 mg of triterpene glycosides and St. John's wort standardized to 0.25 mg of hypericin. The amount taken was two tablets twice a day for eight weeks, followed by one tablet twice a day for eight weeks.¹⁷

 

Black cohosh is approved in Germany for use in women with PMS.¹⁸ This approval appears to be based on historical use as there are no modern clinical trials to support the use of black cohosh for PMS.

 

Black cohosh has a history as a folk medicine for relieving menstrual cramps. Black cohosh can be taken in several forms, including crude plant, dried root, or rhizome (300–2,000 mg per day), or as a solid, dry powdered extract (250 mg three times per day). Standardized extracts of the herb are available, though they have primarily been researched for use with menopausal women suffering from hot flashes. The recommended amount is 20–40 mg twice per day.¹⁹ The best researched form provides 1 mg of deoxyactein per 20 mg of extract. Tinctures can are also used (2–4 ml three times per day).²⁰ The Commission E Monograph recommends black cohosh be taken for up to six months, and then discontinued.²¹

 

Some, but not all, double-blind trials support the usefulness of black cohosh for women with hot flashes associated with menopause.²² In a three-month study of postmenopausal women, 40 mg per day of an extract of black cohosh was as effective as estrogen therapy in the treatment of hot flashes.²³ A review of eight trials concluded black cohosh to be both safe and effective.²⁴ However, one double-blind trial found that black cohosh is ineffective as a treatment for menopausal symptoms.²⁵ Many doctors recommend 20 mg of a highly concentrated extract taken twice per day; 2 to 4 ml of tincture three times per day may also be used.

In a double-blind study of postmenopausal women who were experiencing psychological symptoms, a combination of black cohosh and St. John's wort was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving both menopausal symptoms and depression. The product used in this study contained (per tablet) black cohosh standardized to 1 mg of triterpene glycosides and St. John's wort standardized to 0.25 mg of hypericin. The amount taken was two tablets twice a day for eight weeks, followed by one tablet twice a day for eight weeks.²⁶

In a double-blind study of postmenopausal women who were experiencing psychological symptoms, a combination of black cohosh and St. John's wort was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving both menopausal symptoms and depression. The product used in this study contained (per tablet) black cohosh standardized to 1 mg of triterpene glycosides and St. John's wort standardized to 0.25 mg of hypericin. The amount taken was two tablets twice a day for eight weeks, followed by one tablet twice a day for eight weeks.²⁷

 

Black cohosh is approved in Germany for use in women with PMS.²⁸ This approval appears to be based on historical use as there are no modern clinical trials to support the use of black cohosh for PMS.

 

Black cohosh has a history as a folk medicine for relieving menstrual cramps. Black cohosh can be taken in several forms, including crude plant, dried root, or rhizome (300–2,000 mg per day), or as a solid, dry powdered extract (250 mg three times per day). Standardized extracts of the herb are available, though they have primarily been researched for use with menopausal women suffering from hot flashes. The recommended amount is 20–40 mg twice per day.²⁹ The best researched form provides 1 mg of deoxyactein per 20 mg of extract. Tinctures can are also used (2–4 ml three times per day).³⁰ The Commission E Monograph recommends black cohosh be taken for up to six months, and then discontinued.³¹

Black cohosh has been shown to improve bone mineral density in animals fed a low calcium diet,³² but it has not been studied for this purpose in humans.