Black Cohosh Benefits
Updated Apr. 23rd, 2024 | Read Time: 2 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Active Properties & Health Benefits of Black Cohosh
- Black Cohosh Supplement Varieties
- Cautions & Important Info Before Taking This Supplement
- Nutritional Information
- Reader Comments (2)
The Latin name of black cohosh, Cimicifuga, actually means bug repeller, although today it is better known for its hormonal activity. Black cohosh is a phytoestrogenic agent. This means that it contains plant estrogens, compounds that look similar to human estrogen and can interact with estrogen receptors in the human body. These plant estrogens only stimulate the receptors a fraction of the amount that the hormone estrogen would. Therefore, black cohosh can benefit conditions of high estrogen activity, by blocking the activity of the hormone estrogen.
Active Properties & Health Benefits of Black Cohosh
Black Cohosh can also benefit conditions of low estrogen activity by binding to vacant receptor sites and causing a bit of hormonal stimulation. Black cohosh is used to treat menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, anxiety and depression, and PMS and painful periods. Black cohosh also contains aspirin precursor molecules called salicylates. Therefore black cohosh has pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that are useful for conditions like arthritis. Some compounds in black cohosh have been found to decrease blood pressure by dilating vessels making black cohosh useful for treating high blood pressure.
Black Cohosh Supplement Varieties
Most black cohosh supplements are made from encapsulated dried root. Be sure to purchase a product that has been standardized to the triterpene content. This is an assurance that the product contains black cohosh and has some active properties.
Cautions & Important Info Before Taking This Supplement
Black cohosh may cause miscarriage when taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is potentially toxic to infants and should not be used by breastfeeding mothers. Individuals with estrogen sensitive tumours or a history of such tumours should not use black cohosh. Theoretically black cohosh may alter levels of oral contraceptives, hormone replacement medication or blood thinners but this has not been seen clinically. Do not use black cohosh if you are allergic to aspirin.
In working to resolve my own hormonal issues (high testosterone and low estrogen, which actually even affected my sexuality for a time), I discovered black cohash. I never used it as it was not applicable to my own issues but I learned it could modulate hormones. My mother struggled with menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, anxiety and depression, and I wish that I would have known about black cohash at the time because she is a big fan of natural remedies and I am sure that she would have at least tried it (and potentially added it to her arsonal). Thank you for this great article and I hope that some people who could benefit from black cohash give it a read!
Hello Rachel,
Thank you for your comment and sharing your experience with black cohosh and your journey to balance your hormones naturally.
We think you’ll also enjoy this article: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/estrogen-balance/
Have a healthy day!