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

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

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

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

Therefore 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 antiestrogenic action, the black cohosh promotes it. The mechanism of action is not well known, but more than increasing the level of estrogen in the plasma, what increases is its effectiveness. This differential point is interesting, because makes it lack the notable side effects that hormones have synthesis.
• The effectiveness of this plant is in every way comparable to hormone 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 given almost routinely to women who enter menopause, without taking into account that in some cases it can have negative consequences on health.
• Furthermore, there are women who have expressly contraindicated hormonal treatmentsuch as those who have breast cancer, which worsens with the administration of estrogen. In them the use of 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. but rather it appears to enhance the action of tamoxifen, a medication that helps prevent its recurrence.
• Another problem of menopause is atrophy of the vaginal mucosa structurewhich becomes drier. In these cases, The administration of black cohosh has proven to be useful to counteract this effect.

How to take it: dosage of black cohosh

One of the advantages that this plant offers is that can be taken for long periods of time without health risks. These tips may be helpful:

• They are recommended 3 to 6 capsules a day and between 2 or 3 teaspoons if it is a fluid extract.
• can be taken for 1 or 2 months without a medical prescriptionbut in the case of continuing the treatment longer, 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 abortion or premature birth.

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

Dr. Josep Lluís Berdonces (naturopathic doctor)