Black Cohosh Info

Black Cohosh is a gnarled black root that comes from the black-cohosh plant. It's been called Blue-Cohosh, Squaw Root and Papoose Root as well.

It's been used for more than a century as an herbal medicine for female health issues by Native Americans and now naturopaths.

In fact, using black-cohosh herb for menopause issues was common to Native Americans. It also appears native to U.S. soil. According to legendary herbal doctor Dr. Shook,

"This is a very old Indian remedy. They believed it to be the best parturient [relating to giving birth] in nature, and it was the habit of their women to drink the tea several weeks before labor...This exceedingly valuable herb is well called 'Women's Best Friend'."

Benefits of Black Cohosh Root

Let's discuss now just what makes Black Cohosh "women's best friend." Fundamentally, it reduces menopausal symptoms, in particular hot flashes, but also night sweats, cramps and the like.

It also helps ease menstrual pain. It actually lowers blood pressure and even works as an antiflammatory. Black Cohosh's antispasmodic action helps to relieve coughs and asthma as well.

It also helps clear mucous membranes, and it even helps in arthritis although that is a secondary benefit. Minimizing depression inherent to menopause is also believed to be one of its blessings although this info is not as definitive as its other qualities.

Muscle relief is another of its potent qualities, which is certainly beneficial in childbirth. One Dr. Felter says Black Cohosh is "an ideal regulator of uterine contractions during labor."

It also helps afterbirth pains as well. Black Cohosh menopause research is ongoing as to how it is able to work so effectively. Some researches believe it is the lessening of key hormone levels in women.

The luteinizing hormone in particular is believed to be the culprit of the symptoms of menopause as well as the menstrual symptoms. Black Cohosh root is rich in vital minerals namely, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron (especially important to women), and silicon. 

It is now seen as an effective alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy.

In July 2002, a report in the American news media confirmed that Hormone Replacement Therapy has never been tested. Researchers set out to confirm its benefits as an estrogen replacement, but researchers had to abandon the long-term study before its projected finish date in 2005 as it was obvious that hormone replacement therapy actually increased the risk for heart disease and strokes.

Incidentally, black cohosh preparations have been approved by the German government as nonprescription medications for treatment of menopausal symptoms and are among the most widely-used natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Precautions & Guidelines

Don't use this herb while pregnant or breast feeding. While pregnant is different than when in the throes of childbearing or in immediate preparation thereof. Black Cohosh may also interfere with hormonal drugs like contraceptive medications. The medication may have to be adjusted. Please talk to your doctor, though, before doing so. As Black-Cohosh lowers blood pressure, don't use Black-Cohosh if you are taking medication for hypertension as the effect could be compounded.

Are there any side effects? Yes. It may cause stomach upset and dizziness. It can also cause headaches, and high doses could cause vomiting and nausea. It is an herb to be used with judgment and skill but is overall a very safe herb.

How To Choose Black-Cohosh Root Supplements

Finding quality supplements is difficult as there are so many dishonest companies out there literally selling hundreds and hundreds of supplements of all kinds and varieties. In order to make as informed a decision as possible, we recommend the following criteria, based on our own experience, that can help you save money as well as get the best supplement possible. Here's what to look for:

1. The supplements should be produced at pharmaceutical standard GMP registered facilities. Facilities that are GMP registered comply with the most rigid standards so as to minimize the possibility of product contaminants. (These are the same standards pharmaceutical companies in the United States are required to operate under as mandated by the FDA.) Nutritional supplements are not regulated by FDA and as such fraud is rampant with many so-called supplements containing contaminants with 1 in 5 not having the ingredients as proclaimed on the label!

2. If taking it in tablet form, take Black Cohosh root with Wild Yam and Dong Quai and with other vitamins and minerals as they are interdependent in their biochemistry. Black Cohosh, Dong Quai, and Wild Yam are female-centric herbs that work well together. Also, take Black Cohosh pills it with a full spectrum of other nutrients for maximum efficacy. 4. Make sure the Black Cohosh comes from standardized black cohosh root extracts for this is where the therapeutic benefits of the herb reside. This is vital. Many companies don't use standardized extracts as it's very expensive to do so.

Quality Black Cohosh

I've found a company that offers GMP compliant products, and meets all the above criteria. Their female-specific multivitamin supplement product has Black Cohosh but also Dong Quai and Wild Yam as well (there's also a male-specific version as well).

This supplement for women is a scientifically formulated containing a full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, trace and specialty minerals, and nutrient-rich enzymes.

New Zealand has among the strictest standards for supplements in the world, even surpassing the U.S. FDA for quality control.

Their products actually undergo the same rigid testing as pharmaceutical medications.

After using this company's products for a year, I'm very, very pleased with the results.

Yours in health, hope, and harmony,
Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com