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Re: Black Cohosh
From: anonymous (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue May 7 15:47:43 2002
Mary!
Thank you so much for providing that info on Black Cohosh! Would you
share with us the website from which you found this Black Cohosh review?
I'd like to use it to research other herbs on interest.
Judging from the black cohosh review, I'm convinced that this herb would
only flare me more lol.
Once again, thank you so much Mary for the info.
At Tue, 7 May 2002, Mary wrote:
>
>At Mon, 6 May 2002, Tanja wrote:
>>
>>Ji there,
>>I was wondering if anyone has tried Black Cohosh to help with the PMS
>>mood swings, or just moodiness in general. The label says it's not
>>estrogen so my endo shouldn't grow right? Any insight would be
>>appreciated. THanks
>Black Cohosh: An Effective Natural Remedy for Menopausal Symtpoms
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Hi Tanja,
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>I found this study done on black cohosh on the net.It is a
>
>--
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>phytoestrogren so it may have effects.A lot of times, it depends on the
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>person.I'm not a med so I don't know
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Take care,
>Mary
>History and Claims
>This herbal goes by many names. These include: Black Cohosh, Cimicifuga
>Racemosa, Squaw Root, Rattle Snake Root and Black Snake Root. It does
>NOT go by the name Snake Root, this is an unrelated herbal--Aristolochia
>Serpentaria. If a woman chooses to use it, she will most likely buy it
>under its brand name of Remifemin. This comes in drops or tablets.
>
>Black Cohosh has been used by Native Americans, Europeans, and Chinese
>for centuries.
>
>Native Americans used it for a wide variety of female problems. They
>used it to restore normal menstrual function, to return a woman to her
>pre-pregnancy state after birth, and for menopause. It has been
>described as "hormone-like" and a mild euphoric by some. It has
>scientific evidence to support its effect on improving blood pressure.
>In addition, it has many claims that were not investigated for the
>purposes of this article. These claims include: its use as an
>astringent, an anti-diarrheal, a water pill, and a cough
>suppressant/expectorant. It is also believed to improve heart rate,
>increase sweating, and be an antidote to rattlesnake poison.
>
>Chemistry and Pharmacology of Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga Racemosa or
>Reminfemin)
>It is classified as a phytoestrogen. It is from the plant family N.O.
>Ranunculaceae. The active components of the natural form include:
>acetin, cimicifugioside, acetylacteal, 27-deoxyactin, cimigenol,
>deoxyacetylateal. The processed forms also include isoterulic and
>salicylic acid (the main ingredient is aspirin).
>
>It is not known exactly how it works. But studies on animals and women
>have shown that its various components act on the hormonal system in at
>various levels. Some do bind to estrogen receptors in the body. It
>causes LH, but not FSH suppression. (Estrogens cause both to be
>suppresed, when they both rise they are signs of menopause) . Some
>studies have found it to cause an increase in vaginal epithelium that is
>superior to estrogen replacment.
>
>The Scientific Evidence For Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga Racemosa or
>Reminfemin) For Menopausal Symptom Relief
>Most of the studies done used the Remifemin version of the herb. Many
>of the studies were done by the manufacturer of Remifemin.
>
>Studies compared Black Cohosh to Estrogen Replacement (for physical and
>psychological symptoms) and valium (for psychological only), and to
>women not taking anything. In more than one study, black cohosh has
>been found to improve a myriad of physical and mood symptoms in the
>menopausal women who took it. Women who took it did as well as those
>who took estrogen or valium, and better than those who took nothing.
>
>Black Cohosh was not found to cause any of the side effects commonly
>associated with hormone replacement. While it is reported that nausea
>and vomiting can be due to overdose, no evidence of discontinuation due
>to side effects was found. Over 93% of women in one study reported no
>side effects.
>
>Black Cohosh is not associated with increased breast cancer rates, nor
>dysfunctional uterine bleeding. It is not habit-forming. It does not
>interact with other medications. It is considered non-toxic.
>
>Using Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga Racemosa or Reminfemin) For Menopausal
>Symptom Relief
>As mentioned Remifemin is the processed and packaged version and the one
>most studied. It comes in liquid (take 40 drops, two times a day) or
>tablets (take 2 tablets twice a day). Other regimens include: the fluid
>extract U.S.P -- 15 to 30 drops, the fluid extract B.P. -- 5 to 30
>drops, tincture U.S.P. -- 1 drachm, tincture B.P. -- 15 to 60 drops,
>Cimicifugin -- 1 to 6 grains, and powdered extract, U.S.P. -- 4 grains.
>
>Results have been found in as little as four weeks of use, but six to
>eight was more common. Twelve weeks is the point were a woman might
>discontinue the herb if it hasn't worked by that time. While there is
>no documentation of adverse effects with long-term use, this practice
>has not been closely studied. Therefore, some have suggested a 6 month
>limit on its usage.
>
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