Black cohosh, or Actaea racemosa, is a plant with large leaves and tall clusters of white flowers native to North America. Both its flowers and roots were used by Native Americans in the treatment of gynecological, renal, and even mental problems.
Today Actaea racemosa serves as an active ingredient in supplements related to women’s health, especially those that relieve menopausal symptoms, increase fertility, and balance hormonal imbalance.
Find out everything you need to know about this plant in this article!
Uses and possible health benefits
As we mentioned previously, most of its benefits and uses have to do with women’s health. Let’s take a detailed look at how it can help, as well as its other attributed benefits.
1. Relieving menopausal symptoms
Most people use black cohosh to combat menopausal symptoms (fatigue, hot flashes, sweating, insomnia, mood swings, among others).
A study of 80 menopausal women with hot flashes showed that those who consumed 20 milligrams per day for 8 weeks experienced a decrease in the number and severity of hot flashes.
However, although other studies support these effects, we still need more research to certify cohosh as a palliative for menopausal symptoms.
2. May increase fertility
While it’s true that many sellers of this supplement claim that it can improve fertility, the scientific evidence is scanty.
According to research in Reproductive BioMedicine Online and Gynecological Endocrinology, black cohosh increases the effectiveness of clomiphene. This drug’s useful in treating infertility in women with ovulation problems, thus increasing their chances of becoming pregnant.
Studies also showed an improvement in pregnancy and ovulation rates in women with infertility who took black cohosh and clomiphene supplements. However, more research on these effects is still necessary.
3. Treating various gynecological problems
This medicinal plant’s also known to treat other ailments that afflict women. These include the following:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): According to a study in Gynecological Endocrinology, black cohosh supplements may increase the chances of getting pregnant for a woman with Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) taking clomiphene. Similarly, research in the European Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Biology found that these supplements regulate the cycles of women with PCOS.
- Fibroids: A study of 244 menopausal women proved that daily supplementation with 40 milligrams of black cohosh can reduce the size of uterine fibroids by 30%.
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): Although some claim that black cohosh can treat PMS symptoms, there’s not enough scientific evidence to prove it.
- Menstrual cycle regulation: There’s scientific evidence that black cohosh supplements can help regulate the menstrual cycle in women undergoing fertility treatments. This is true whether they’re PCOS patients or not.
4. Reduces the risk of breast cancer
Because black cohosh behaves like the hormone estrogen, experts believe that it may worsen or increase the risk of breast cancer.
However, a study published in Integrative Cancer Therapies found that it doesn’t increase the likelihood of breast cancer. On the contrary, it was associated with a lower risk.
According to test-tube studies, black cohosh extract may act as an anti-estrogen and slow the spread of breast cancer cells. However, more research is still necessary.
5. May improve mental health
Experts also believe that black cohosh may improve mental health, especially in menopausal women. According to research in Post Reproductive Health, supplements do not affect anxiety. However, they may improve some psychological symptoms.
However, more studies are necessary to support this benefit of black cohosh supplements.
6. Improve sleep quality
A small study of 42 menopausal women suggested that black cohosh supplements may improve the duration and quality of sleep.
Likewise, research in Minerva Obstetrics and Gynecology found that combining black cohosh with other compounds (chaste berry, zinc, ginger, and hyaluronic acid) could improve hot flashes that cause anxiety and insomnia. However, it’s difficult to know if it was the compound that was behind these effects.
7. Stimulate weight loss
Menopausal women often gain weight, given the natural decrease in their estrogen levels. However, since there’s scientific evidence of the estrogenic effects of black cohosh, experts believe that it may help control weight at this stage.
Black cohosh care and side effects
Although black cohosh has side effects, they’re mostly mild. These include stomach upset, skin rashes, muscle pain, breast enlargement, and spotting or bleeding outside the period, among others.
Serious cases include aggravating liver damage. This is why people with these diseases or undergoing treatment should avoid this ingredient. Similarly, an animal study linked high doses to damage to red blood cells, leading to anemia. However, more research is necessary to look at these effects in humans.
At the same time, you should note that research on black cohosh is sparse, so there may be other adverse effects that we’re not aware of.
Dosage and forms of black cohosh
It is available in various form, whether capsules, liquid extract, or tea. According to the dosages, these can vary depending on the brand. However, the general dosage is between 20 to 120 milligrams of extract or powder per day.
Experts believe that to treat menopausal symptoms, women must take at least 20 milligrams daily. However, some experts say that you shouldn’t take it for more than 6 months, given its potential to cause liver damage.
Supplements often come in forms that blend black cohosh with other components. For example, red clover, soy isoflavones, chaste berry, St. John’s wort, dong quai, and vitamin C.
Combining black cohosh with each of these could help boost its role in alleviating menopausal symptoms. However, we still need more studies to support such hypotheses.
An ally for menopausal symptoms
Black cohosh is a North American medicinal plant. Ancient Native Americans used it to treat conditions that afflicted women, as well as other ailments such as sore throat, kidney problems, and even depression.
Today, its uses haven’t changed much. It’s mainly used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, increase fertility, and treat various gynecological problems, such as fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, and premenstrual syndrome.
Although most of its adverse effects are mild, you should note that it may worsen liver damage, as well as affect red blood cells, causing anemia.
