Black cohosh is the superman of herbs. Or shall we call it the superwoman of herbs? Black cohosh has been helping menopausal women get over their hot flashes, and almost everything else that is related to menopause. Menopausal women have used black cohosh for years in the search of sorts for the Holy Grail of supplements. Black cohosh has been said to do everything for a menopausal woman from curing migraine headaches, to helping with hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, virginal dryness and vaginal atrophy.

It all depends though on whom you believe and what study you have discovered. Some studies conclude that black cohosh is indeed a miracle cure and will help a menopausal woman with hot flashes. While other studies conclude than hot flashes are not cured by black cohosh.

Black cohosh is known both as Actaea raemosa, and Cimicitugaracemos. It is also, a member of the buttercup family. Black cohosh is a perennial plant that is native to North America. The preparations made from black cohosh come from it roots and it s underground stems. The Indians used black cohosh in North America as a form of medicinal wonder that could cure almost anything. The early Indians used black cohosh to treat malaise, malaria, kidney disorders, rheumatism, and gynecological disorders.

According to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, initial human research suggests that black cohosh may improve the symptoms of menopause up to six months. The symptoms that they are saying can be helped by black cohosh are; improving headaches, sleep disturbances, hot flashes, perspiration, and heart palpitations. The Mayo Clinic also states that current evidence is mixed and more studies are needed. In a 2001randomized 12-week study of 55 menopausal women, the study compared an ethanol extract of black cohosh with conjugated estrogens. All menopausal symptoms improved and were measured by the Kupperman Index. This index measured the level of depression and anxiety in the women. This is according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Women have utilized black cohosh for years now in the search for a cure-all for their menopausal symptoms. Black cohosh has been utilized as a popular alternative to hormonal therapy that can cause cancer. Treatment of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood disturbances, heart palpitations and vaginal dryness has been said by women to relive these symptoms. Controversy has surrounded the use of black cohosh for many years and the benefits it may or may not bring. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the usage of black cohosh or any other herbal supplement either.

Nlack cohohs helps women with hot flashes. Hot flashes are a feeling of mild warmth to intense heat that spreads through the upper body and face. Sweating and a flushed appearance often accompany it. Women have been benefiting for years from utilizing black cohosh to help ease one of the symptoms of menopause. Black cohosh has been used widely in Europe for treating hot flashes and has been very popular with women in the United States as well.

According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 30 percent of women afflicted with migraines have menstrual-related migraines. Women have been taking black cohosh to ease migraine symptoms as well. According to the Mayo Clinic more studies need to be done to discover whether black cohosh helps or not.

The jury is still out as to whether black cohosh does benefit women who use it to help ease the varied symptoms of menopause. Study results have yielded conflicting results with some studies coming out for the positive while others come out with negative results.

National Institute of Health Mayo Clinic

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