Herbal researcher Dr. James Duke has this to say about Black Cohosh; "Black cohosh really should be better known in this country, especially with our aging population and the millions of women who are now facing menopause. Recognized for its mild sedative and anti-inflammatory activity, black cohosh can help with hot flashes and other symptoms associated with that dramatic change of life called menopause.

 Black Cohosh is reported to have some estrogenic activity. Herbalist Steven Foster refers to a study that compared the effects of conventional estrogen replacement therapy with black cohosh. That study looked at 60 women, younger than 40 years old, who had had complete hysterectomies and were experiencing abrupt menopause. In all groups, treatment with black cohosh compared favorably with conventional treatment.

Black cohosh is one of the more popular herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, night sweats, migraines, mood disturbances, heart palpitations and vaginal dryness. Initial research on black cohosh suggests that it may improve some menopausal symptoms for up to six months. In more recent years studies have proven  that Black Cohosh can help reduce the inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and neuralgia.

Black Cohosh is thought to increase serotonin levels in the brain serotonin is a natural chemical produced by our bodies to help regulate appetite, mood, sexual desire, sleep patterns and stress levels. These functions are badly affected if serotonin levels in the body are reduced. Serotonin levels can become too low because of emotional or physical pressures, imbalanced diet, nutritional deficiencies, insufficient exercise (aerobic and muscular), alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.

As many menopausal women suffer from low mood and depression causing high anxiety levels they may well find taking Black Cohosh to be beneficial. 

Preliminary work on individual cells suggests Black Cohosh may act on estrogen receptors in some way and is associated with lowered breast cancer risk. A 2007 study involving nearly 2,500 women found that use of Black Cohosh reduced the risk of breast cancer, this was the first known report of such an effect and until more studies are done, people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or who are at high risk for breast cancer should speak with their doctors if they are consider taking supplements.

Black Cohosh is a plant found in North America and is a member of the buttercup family. Its roots are used medicinally in the treatment of many gynaecological problems including menopausal symptoms and painful menstruation.

Black Cohosh has been found as far west as Arkansas and was widely used by Native Americans for a range of disorders such as period pains, labour pains and just general aches and pains. It is reported that Black Cohosh was even used for kidney ailments, rheumatism and malaria. The early settlers in the US Colonies also found it useful in the treatment of bronchitis, fevers, back pain nervous discords and yellow fever.

Black Cohosh is derived from the dark root of the plant Actaea racemosa or Cimicifuga racemosa it is also known as black snakeroot and squaw vine. Black Cohosh is rich in isoflavones, also called phytoestrogens, which form the constituents found in plants such as soy. These phytoestrogens are currently the focus of much media interest.

At Natural Ingredients, we are interested in the International Journal of Phytotherapy & Phytopharmacology July 2002 which statedthat “Black Cohosh was a promising natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy for treating menopausal symptoms”. 40 Million Women in the USA are within the menopausal age and that number is increasing every day. We need a safe way to treat the symptoms of Menopause and Black Cohosh has been spoken of as “natural oestrogen”.