Black Cohosh:
Black Cohosh: a Root for Women's Health
For generations North American women have relied on a root known as black cohosh to relieve various "female" problems throughout their lives. From PMS discomfort and menstrual cramps to menopause, black cohosh has long been used to treat a variety of women's problems.
Dating back to 1900, an indigenous wildflower known as black cohosh provided the central ingredient for a popular tonic used to treat various female problems. A member of the buttercup family, black cohosh's usefulness extends far beyond PMS and menopause. In addition to traditional feminine uses, black cohosh has been used to treat a multitude of other conditions, ranging from eczema to insect bites.
Black cohosh in modern times
For years, the herb black cohosh fell out of favor, but this popular root is once again being used as an herbal treatment for such symptoms as hot flashes and other issues associated with menopause. When so-called traditional hormone replacement therapy--i.e. the unnatural introduction of estrogen and progestin into the body--was found to carry significant health risks, some doctors changed their tune and recommended black cohosh for their menopausal patients.Black cohosh is also believed to be a superb anti-inflammatory medication, a relief for muscle aches and even a mild sedative. Additionally, black cohosh has been used to clear stopped up mucous membranes and to relieve congestion and coughing.
The impact of black cohosh
Black cohosh also has a long history of treating menstrual cramps without resorting to drugs. The antispasmodic properties of black cohosh may be responsible for lessening discomforts of menstrual cramps. Also, black cohosh is thought to advance the blood flow to the uterus, and to reduce the intensity of hurtful cramping. Some women report relief with black cohosh treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS).Black cohosh for ingestion
Black cohosh is available in a variety of different preparations, including tablets, capsules, tinctures, and dried herbs. In its dried herb form black cohosh is often used to prepare soothing teas.
When shopping for capsules or tablets, look for products which have been standardized to contain 2.5% triterpenes glycosides, which are the active ingredients in the black cohosh root. This amount has proven most effective in clinical trials of black cohosh.For liquid forms of black cohosh, however, seek out products that have been standardized to a higher percentage, around 5% of triterpene glycosides.
For many people the capsules containing the freeze dried black cohosh roots is an excellent choice, since these capsules are most likely to contain all of the key ingredients of the herb. This includes many compounds within the root that have yet to be identified by science but are very likely to be part of the active ingredients of black cohosh.
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