There are lots of plants out there that have been used for centuries as remedies for common problems. Black cohosh has gotten a lot of attention thanks to preliminary evidence that suggests the herb may help relieve symptoms of menopause.
Black cohosh is a member of the buttercup family common in North America. It is commonly known as black snakeroot, bugwort, rattletop, and rattleweed. The plant tends to be avoided by insects, which is probably how black cohosh earned some of its names! The roots and rhizomes (underground stems) are the parts of the plant that are used medicinally.
Native Americans used black cohosh in treating all sorts of health issues, including colds and cough, rheumatism, kidney problems, gynecological disorders, and more. In the nineteenth century, Americans used black cohosh to treat rheumatism and fever and to regulate menstruation.
A compound in black cohosh seems to have estrogenic activity — if black cohosh acts like estrogen does, it can help relieve menopause symptoms caused by hormonal fluctuations. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) are specifically studying the effects of black cohosh on hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Preliminary evidence is encouraging; further studies will pinpoint how black cohosh works in the body and exactly how it can best be used.
Black cohosh is not regulated in the United States — it is sold as a dietary or herbal supplement, which is considered a food, not as a drug. This means the composition of a black cohosh supplement in the United States can vary from one manufacturer to another or even from one batch to another! The most frequently reported side effects of black cohosh are stomach upset and headache. Because black cohosh has not been thoroughly studied, there are questions about the safety of long-term use. Six months to one year of use seems to be safe; longer use may increase a risk of developing endometrial cancer.
Black cohosh and blue cohosh are not interchangeable! Blue cohosh has a greater potential for toxicity and is used for treating different health issues.