Alternative medicine, black cohosh?

Question

ive read that the main adverse effects are

headaches, gastric complaints, heaviness in the legs,

and weight problems................

has anyone taken these tablets, whats your experience?

Do they stop hot flushes

Answer 1

I have taken black cohosh in the form of Remifemin.  I have hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, and restless leg syndrome due to perimenopause.

I had no adverse effects.  But then the black cohosh didn't make a noticeable difference in my hot flashes.  The Remifemin Goodnight, however, seemed to help my insomnia.

Estroven also makes a black cohosh formula.   Their formula seemed to help my hot flashes.  And Estroven PM definitely  helped my insomnia.

If you're thinking of taking black cohosh for menopausal or perimenopausal symptoms, you may want to talk to a physician first.  Other health problems and other medications can interfere with the effectiveness or can make black cohosh potentially dangerous to you.

Answer 2

It should not be used in pregnancy .It has oestrogenic properties and so is beneficial for hot flushes, it is also a uterine tonic, for neurological and muscular pain,tinnitis, whooping cough, is a relaxing nervine and normalises the female reproductive system.I do not think it is a herb you'd use in the long term. It is also an American Indian herb.

Answer 3

it works sometimes for some people.  you have to try it for yourself.  not all medications work on everyone all the time.  it's an option to try before more serious meds.  consider learning to accept the hot flashes as part of life.

Answer 4

What It Is Used For

    * Black cohosh has a history of use for rheumatism (arthritis and muscle pain), but has been used more recently to treat hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and other symptoms that can occur during menopause.

    * Black cohosh has also been used for menstrual irregularities and premenstrual syndrome, and to induce labor.

How It Is Used

The underground stems and roots of black cohosh are commonly used fresh or dried to make strong teas (infusions), capsules, solid extracts used in pills, or liquid extracts (tinctures).

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What the Science Says

    * Study results are mixed on whether black cohosh effectively relieves menopausal symptoms.

    * Studies to date have been less than 6 months long, so long-term safety data are not currently available.1

    * NCCAM is funding studies to determine whether black cohosh reduces the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.

    * There are not enough reliable data to determine whether black cohosh is effective for rheumatism or other uses.

Side Effects and Cautions

    * Black cohosh can cause headaches and stomach discomfort. In clinical trials comparing the effects of the herb and those of estrogens, a low number of side effects were reported, such as headaches, gastric complaints, heaviness in the legs, and weight problems.

    * No interactions have been reported between black cohosh and prescription medicines.

    * Black cohosh has recently been linked to a few cases of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), but it is not clear whether black cohosh caused the problem.

    * It is not clear if black cohosh is safe for women who have had breast cancer or for pregnant women.

    * Black cohosh should not be confused with blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), which has different properties, treatment uses, and side effects than black cohosh. Black cohosh is sometimes used with blue cohosh to stimulate labor, but this therapy has caused adverse effects in newborns, which appear to be due to blue cohosh.

    * It is important to inform your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplementA product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements. you are using, including black cohosh. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.