• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Herbal Resource

Information on Medicinal Herbs & Functional Medicine

  • Home
  • Herbs List
  • Herbs by Health Condition
  • Latest Posts
  • Phytochemicals
  • Our Authors

What is Black Cohosh used for?

April 18, 2021 by Herbal Resource Leave a Comment

Pin10
Reddit
Share
Share
Share
Tweet
Flip
10 Shares

Modern day use of the herb is most commonly for menopausal symptoms but also pre menstrual syndrome (PMS) and irregular periods.

As women reach menopause, the signals between the ovaries and pituitary gland begin to diminish, which in turn reduces the production of estrogen, and increases the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH). Hot flashes and other acute symptoms of menopause are thought to be related to these changes.

Black Cohosh Herb (Actaea racemosa)
Black Cohosh – Herb Illustration

Early studies done on rats suggested a hormone-like effect of black cohosh. One of these study found that constituents in black cohosh did connect to the estrogen receptors in the uterus.

Another study found that the herb caused a decrease in the concentration of LH in the blood. The conclusion at that time was that black cohosh had a mild estrogen effect and also reduced the amount of LH, both believed to contribute to reducing hot flashes in menopausal women.

In recent years, however, both animal and human studies indicate that these early findings of the estrogen effect of black cohosh are not necessarily accurate. In a study done on mice and rats, it was found that black cohosh does not have any estrogenic properties.

The theory of the estrogen effect of black cohosh was further weakened when one of the best studies to date looked at the effect of the commercial black cohosh extract Remifemin® on menopausal women between 43 and 60 years. The women were administered either 40 or 127 mg of the extract daily for three months.

Although the frequency and severity of the hot flashes improved markedly and was similar at both dosages, there was no estrogen-like effect noted at all.

The conclusion was, therefore, despite earlier findings that black cohosh does not contain any phytoestrogens, and that women experience menopause symptoms should not look to it as an estrogen replacement.

In addition, isoflavones, a group of substances that include all phytoestrogens, rarely occur in plants other than those belonging to the pea family (Fabaceae ) such as soy (Glycine max) and red clover (Trifolium pratense). Black cohosh belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).

Black cohosh is still, despite having probably no hormonal effects, regarded as one of the best natural options for a relief for hot flashes during menopause and it does not cause serious side effects and potential health risks (eg. increased risk of cancer) as estrogen substitutes have been known for.

[Read more about Black Cohosh…]

The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
Avatar photo

Herbal Resource

The Herbal Resource was created out of a passion for all natural health solutions and to inform on what nature can provide to heal. Staffed by a group of functional medicine advocates, scientists and natural health experts, we use science to support how natural can help bring health to people.
Avatar photo

Latest posts by Herbal Resource (see all)

  • Maximizing Fitness Performance with Natural Supplements: The Efficacy of Black Ginger and Tongkat Ali - January 14, 2025
Pin10
Reddit
Share
Share
Share
Tweet
Flip
10 Shares

Filed Under: Herbs - General

Avatar photo

About Herbal Resource

The Herbal Resource was created out of a passion for all natural health solutions and to inform on what nature can provide to heal. Staffed by a group of functional medicine advocates, scientists and natural health experts, we use science to support how natural can help bring health to people.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

HSR Newsletter Sign-up

loader

Email Address*

Your e-mail address is only used to send you our newsletter and information about the activities of The Herbal Resource. You can always use the unsubscribe link included in the newsletter.

Footer

  • Newsletters
  • Deals
  • Ethical Foraging – Do’s and Don’ts
  • Write for Us
  • Partner, Advertising & Commercial Relationships
  • Affiliate Agreement
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Categories

  • Functional Medicine
  • Grow Your Own Herbs
  • Herbs – General
  • Herbs – Scientific Evidence
  • Herbs for Specific Ailments
  • Medicinal Herb Profiles
  • Phytochemicals
  • Poisonous Plants
  • Sponsored Posts
  • Uncategorized

Follow

Subscribe to notifications

Contact Information

Email: herb@herbal-supplement-resource.com

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure Statement

The Herbal Resource is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program as well as with other affiliate partners.

An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to their products and services.

Looking for Something?

© Copyright 2018 The Herbal Resource · All Rights Reserved!