Black Cohosh Usage

The exact mechanism of black cohosh in fertilty is unclear. Its therapeutic activity was originally believed to result from an activation of estrogen receptors which may address [causes of...

Read more about Infertility and Black Cohosh.

Black cohosh is sometimes recommended as a kind of general women’s herb, said to be effective for a variety of menstrual issues, such as dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and irregular...

Read more about Cervical Cancer and Black Cohosh.

Black cohosh’s main use today is for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Some evidence indicates that black cohosh extract might reduce hot flashes as well as other symptoms of...

Read more about Menopause and Black Cohosh.

Black cohosh’s main use today is for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Meaningful but far from definitive evidence indicates that black cohosh extract might reduce hot flashes as well as other symptoms of menopause.

In the past, black cohosh was believed to be a phytoestrogen, a plant-based substance that has actions similar to estrogen. However, as we describe below, growing evidence indicates that black cohosh does not have general estrogen-like actions. Rather, it may act like estrogen only in certain places: the brain (reducing hot flashes), bone (potentially fighting osteoporosis), and vagina (reducing vaginal dryness).

Black cohosh has also been tried for reducing hot flashes in women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer, but it does not appear to be effective for this purpose.

Finally, black cohosh is sometimes recommended as a kind of general women’s herb, said to be effective for a variety of menstrual issues, such as dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and irregular menstruation.