Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh has been used for centuries in this country. Historically, Black Cohosh was used by the American Indians, somewhat generically, in the treatment of diseases of women. Subsequently, in the last century it became one of the principle ingredients in the well-known Lydia Pinkham's vegetable compound.
While Black Cohosh is reportedly used for a number of medical conditions, the only medical condition that has been studied at any length is in the treatment of hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.
The Germans were the first country to extensively study Black Cohosh to this end. During the 1960s, there were 15 studies conducted in Germany involving over 1,500 patients, in which Black Cohosh was used to treat premenstrual and menopausal symptoms. Since that time there have been several other large studies outside of Germany, including one with 629 patients, where 80% of the patients in the study reported favourable results in the relief of their symptoms with Black Cohosh.
Black Cohosh contains at least a dozen different chemical compounds. About all that can be said at this time is that the compounds appear to bind to estrogen receptors exerting their therapeutic affect. It should be noted, while patients report improvement of clinical physical symptoms of menopause, there is no known data at this time to show whether Black Cohosh would have an affect on osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease. Black Cohosh shows no stimulatory effect on established breast cell tumour lines. However, it is thought that it could interact with the breast cancer treatment tamoxifen. Breast cancer patients interested in using Black Cohosh to treat symptoms of menopause should always seek the advise of their physician before using this product.