Black Cohosh Health Benefits and Side Effects

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Common and Biological name of Black Cohosh

Known as “black snakeroot”“bugbane” “bugwort”

◆ Not same as blue cohosh

◆ Contains salicylic acid

◆ Member of buttercup family

◆ Used in Native American and American folk medicine for menopausal sx, induction of labor, rheumatism

Black Cohosh Health Benefits

Menopausal symptoms most traditional Study results mixed on this.

◆ NCCAM study—failed to relieve night sweats and hot flashes

◆ NIH 2008—inadequate support for use

◆ German E Commission—approved for menopausal sx, not >6 months

◆ North American Menopause Society (2004) recommends

◆ Insufficient studies for safety>6 months or for rheumatism

Black Cohosh Side Effects

United States Pharmacopeia: women should discontinue use of black cohosh and consult a health care practitioner if they have a liver disorder or develop symptoms of liver trouble, such as abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice.several case reports of hepatitis and liver failure; not known if black cohosh was cause 

Avoid in pregnancy/lactation; can induce labor