How does Cimicifuga racemosa assist hot flushes?

Question

I'm working on a herbal therapy module for my collage. Any help would be appreciated =]

Answer 1

I think the studies are still going on as far as what actually happens. Two excellent books on female reproduction from a natural approach are Women, Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle by Ruth Trickey,  and Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Tory Hudson N.D.

Ruth Trickey's book specifically goes into this in numerous pages and breaks down some of the constituents in herbs and why they work. I suggest you look at it as it's more then I can write here. But she says "Recent research has shown cimicifuga to contain 3 types of hormonally active substances, one of which suppresses luteinising hormone. secretion....luteinising hormone surges are thought to cause flushing, and the suppression of this hormone by cimicufuga is thought to control the symptom" Although this is in her book the info is referenced by another source. So if it's in a report use the proper references.

In Tory Hudson's book she says, "Most recently, scientists from the U. of Illinois have reported that constituents in black cohosh bind to opiate receptors and activate responses, including core temperature regulation. At the moment,  the mechanism of action is not clear." This is also referenced by another source in her book.

good luck