BLACK COHASH (Cimicifuga racemosa)

also known as black snakeroot, rattleweed, rattleroot, bugbane, bugwort

Do not confuse black cohash with blue cohash or white cohash. These are unrelated plants. The blue and white cohash plants do not have the same effects as black cohash, and may not be safe.

Black Cohash is an American herb, introduced into medical practice in America in 1828 and used briefly in Europe around 1860. Only recently has Black Cohash been given attention once again as an herb for menopausal symptoms.

Black cohash was used by Native Americans as a traditional folk remedy for womens' health conditions, such as menstrual cramps and hot flashes, as well as arthritis, muscle pain, sore throat, cough and indigestion. The juice of the plant was used as an insect repellent and was made into a salve and applied to snake bite

Today, black cohash is used primarily as a nutritional supplement for hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, vaginal dryness and other symptoms that can occur during menopause, as well as for menstrual cramps and bloating.

Side effects of black cohash may include: indigestion, headache, nausea, vomiting, heaviness in the legs, weight gain, low blood pressure, seizures, visual disturbances and slow or irregular heartbeat. There have also been a number of cases of liver damage suspected to be associated with black cohash.

People with a history of blood clots or stroke, seizures, liver disease and those who are taking medications for high blood pressure should not use black cohash. And because it may act like the hormone estrogen in the body, black cohash could interfere with hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives.

Black cohash may interfere with the effectiveness of the chemotherapy drug CISPLATIN. Also, combining black cohash with the drug ESTRADIOL,(Alora, Combipatc, Estrace,, Estraderm, Fem Patch, Vivelle, ) could raise the body's estrogen level too high.

You should not use black cohash if you have a hormone-sensitive condition, such as breast cancer, endometriosis, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, or fibroid tumors or, if you have liver damage or drink alcohol in excessive quantities. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid black cohash as the herb may stimulate contractions and lead to premature labor.

It is suggested that you not use black cohash for longer than 6 months/

In August 2006, Health Canada advised consumers of the possible link between black cohash and liver damage. In June 2007, the United States Pharmacopeia proposed that black cohash product labels contain a cautionary statement