Cimicífiuga: properties, contraindications and dosage

What is black cohosh and why does it help in menopause?

Hot flashes, sweating, palpitations, headache, depression and sleep disturbances are some of the symptoms which often appear during the menopause. All these disorders are due to hormone reduction that occurs in this physiological period of women.

To alleviate these symptoms, traditional medicine recommends performing a estrogen-based hormone therapy. However, such therapy involves the artificial administration of hormones to the body and it is not risk free.

A good one alternative to this treatment is the black cohosh (cohosh racemose)a plant native to North Americawhose estrogenic action It has been clinically proven, which gives it a hormonal regulating effect.

For this reason it is recommended to treat premenstrual pain and problems related to menopause. It is also useful in case of painful rulesspasms and muscle pain.

Medicinal properties of black cohosh

Unlike other plants rich in phytoestrogenssuch as soy or red clover, which have an anti-estrogenic action, the cohosh promotes it. The mechanism of action is not well understood, but rather than increasing the level of estrogen in the plasma, what increases is its effectiveness. This differential point is interesting, because makes it devoid of the noticeable side effects that hormones have of synthesis.The effectiveness of this plant is in everything comparable to hormonal therapy. In fact, there are studies that show that three-quarters of women responded better to black cohosh than to hormone therapy. This fact is important, especially considering that hormone replacement therapy is almost routinely given to women entering menopause, without taking into account that in some cases it can have negative health consequences. In addition, there are women who are expressly contraindicated for hormonal treatment, such as those with breast cancer, which worsens with estrogen administration. In them the use of black cohosh extracts could be very useful, since it has been proven that, unlike estrogens, this plant does not stimulate the proliferation of MCF-7 cancer cells rather, it seems to enhance the action of tamoxifen, a medication that helps prevent its recurrence. Another of the problems of menopause is atrophy of the structure of the vaginal mucosa, which becomes drier. In these cases, the administration of black cohosh has proven to be useful to counteract this effect.

How to take it: cohosh dosage

One of the advantages offered by this plant is that it can be taken for long periods of time without health risks. These hints may be helpful:

are recommended 3 to 6 capsules up to date and between 2 or 3 teaspoons if it is a fluid extract. It can be taken for 1 or 2 months without a prescriptionbut in the case of continuing the treatment for a longer time, the supervision of a professional is necessary.

Side effects and contraindications of black cohosh

Due to its action on the hormonal system, its use is not recommended in case of pregnancy, since could stimulate miscarriage or premature labor.

have only been found side effects after taking amounts of black cohosh higher than necessary. In these cases the symptoms are: nausea, stiffness, tremors and headaches.

Dr. Josep Lluís Berdonces (naturopathic doctor)