Black Cohosh
(Cimicifuga racemosa)

What is Black Cohosh?
A nice review by students from the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy

Recent Study on Black Cohosh Is Faulty,
Claims the American Botanical Council
American Botanical Council
The American Botanical Council responded to a study conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz. The four-week trial with 132 women was too short to measure any effect from the product tested. Most trials have run for three to six months. “Most of the clinical trials published to date on black cohosh have demonstrated positive results in helping to treat various symptoms of menopause.” A nice review by students from the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy

Efficacy of Black cohosh-containing Preparations
on Menopausal Symptoms: A Meta-analysis
Altern Ther Health Med. 2010 (Jan); 16 (1): 36–44
A systematic search of three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library) was conducted to identify relevant literature. Two reviewers independently abstracted the data from the eligible studies. Of the 288 English language citations screened, nine randomized placebo-controlled trials were included. Among these trials, six demonstrated a significant improvement in the black cohosh group compared with the placebo group.

Hot Flashes: A Review of the Literature on Alternative and
Complementary Treatment Approaches
Alternative Medicine Review 2003 (Aug); 8 (3): 284–302 ~ FULL TEXT
Hot flashes are a common experience for menopausal women, with an 85-percent incidence in the West. With the increased knowledge of side effects attributable to conventional treatment options, more women are exploring natural alternatives. Although more definitive research is necessary, several natural therapies show promise in treating hot flashes without the risks associated with conventional therapies. Soy and other phytoestrogens, black cohosh, evening primrose oil, vitamin E, the bioflavonoid hesperidin with vitamin C, ferulic acid, acupuncture treatment, and regular aerobic exercise have been shown effective in treating hot flashes in menopausal women.

Cimicifuga racemosa Monograph
Alternative Medicine Review 2003 (May); 8 (2): 186–189 ~ FULL TEXT
Black Cohosh, known botanically as Cimicifuga racemosa, has been used by Native Americans and Europeans for gunecological conditions predating the settlement of the New World. Find out more here.

Black Cohosh: An Alternative Therapy for Menopause?
Nutr Clin Care 2002 (Nov); 5 (6): 283–289
Due to the long-term health risks now associated with hormone replacement therapy, many menopausal women are actively seeking alternative treatments. One such alternative is black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, syn. Cimicifuga racemosa), which has been used in the United States for the treatment of gynecologic complaints for more than 100 years. Review of the published clinical data suggests that black cohosh may be useful for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, profuse sweating, insomnia, and anxiety.

Efficacy and Safety of Phytomedicines for Gynecologic Disorders
with Particular Reference to Cimicifuga racemosa
and Hypericum perforatum
Presented at First Asian European Congress on the Menopause
January 28–31, 1998; Bangkok, Thailand
Extracts of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) and Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) have a historic reputation as herbal remedies. Clinical research with C. racemosa mono-preparations (i.e. Remifemin®) and with the herbal combination containing C. racemosa and H. perforatum (i.e. Remifemin® plus) in pre- and postmenopausal patients suffering from psychovegetative menopausal disorders shows a good therapeutic efficacy and safety profile finally resulting in a positive benefit-risk-ratio of these herbal preparations.

Cimicifuga racemosa L. – Black Cohosh
Quarterly Review of Natural Medicine, Spring 1996
Preparations of the drug have characteristics similar to those of hormones, where the estrogen-like active constituent is especially dominant. Formononetin is a competitive ligand in the estrogen receptor assay and binds ex vivo to the uterus of oophorectomized rats. Anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and hypotensive effects were measured using animal experiments.