Black cohosh safely treats symptoms of menopause - Educational Opportunities - Brief Article

AORN Journal,  Nov, 2002  

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A scientific review of the health benefits of black cohosh, a herb used to treat symptoms of menopause, is being released by the American Botanical Council, according to a Sept 18, 2002, news release from the council. Black cohosh (ie, Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa) is native to the United States and has a long history of use. Native American Indians used it for "female problems," and it was a major ingredient in Lydia Pinkham's famous women's tonic, which was sold for more than 50 years in the nineteenth century.

In the 1940s, a special formulation of the herb was developed in Germany as a natural agent for the treatment of menstrual and menopausal symptoms. This formulation has been used in the majority of clinical trials conducted, which show that the use of black cohosh is safe and effective for treating the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause, including

* hot flashes,

* night sweats,

* mood swings,

* irritability, and

* occasional sleeplessness.

Black cohosh currently is marketed in the United States. In Germany, it has been approved as a nonprescription medication for the treatment of various menopausal symptoms. Clinicians can find more information on the herb and its clinically documented benefits by visiting the American Botanical Council's web site at http://www.herbalgram.org.

Women currently being treated with hormone replacement therapy should not discontinue it without consulting their physician. Also, herbs should be chosen based on individual symptoms and needs.

American Botanical Council Releases Scientific Information on Black Cohosh for Menopause (news release, Austin, Tex: American Botanical Council, Sept 18, 2002) http:// www.herbalgram.org/browse_site.php/Press20020918/ (accessed 23 Sept 2002).

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