Menopause Black Cohosh

Menopause Black Cohosh -- Yes, black cohosh is primarily an herbal intervention for women who undergo menopause conditions. Before we discuss black cohosh menopause issues, however, let's discuss briefly what it is.

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 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 Menopause

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. BlackCohosh'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 is rich in vital minerals namely, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron (especially important to women), and silicon.

One thing for sure, though, 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 was 2005 as it was obvious that hormone replacement therapy actually increased the risk for heart disease and strokes.

Reference: Lacey, JV, et al. Menopausal hormone replacement therapy and risk of ovarian cancer. J Am Med Assn., 288: 334-41, 2002.

Precautions & Side Effects When Using Black Cohosh Menopause

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 A Menopause Black Cohosh Supplement

Look for menopause black cohosh that is made from standardized black cohosh root extract. This is where the active ingredients like Triterpene glycosides reside and they are what provide the health benefits described above.

Second point: Remember to buy your black cohosh supplement from companies that have pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities.

This ensures adherence to rigid governmental regulatory requirements. Unfortunately, the supplement and herbal medicine industry is fraught with fraud. Contamination is common place.

Generally speaking, always avoid fillers like sucrose, gluten, silica as well.

A Quality Product

A New Zealand company we discovered in our research meets these requirements.

I deliberately mention where they're headquartered as New Zealand has stricter regulatory standards than does the U.S. FDA.

Their women's health supplement product is scientifically designed for women having not only Black Cohosh but other women's health specific ingredients as well.

I've been taking this complete multivitamin for over eight years now and can personally testify of its efficacy. (The men's version I take, of course, being male.)

I hope this article on menopause black cohosh has been useful to you.

Yours in health,
Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com