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Black cohosh

Black cohosh, also known as black snakeroot, bugbane and squawroot, acts as a pain reliever and sedative. The root thereof has estrogenic properties and supplies estrogenic sterols which are the beginnings of steroid hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. The chief constituent of black cohosh root is the amorphous resinous substance known as Cimicifugin, or Macrotin. Black cohosh is most commonly used as a remedy for rheumatoid and myalgic pain and to control symptoms of menopause, premenstrual, mood swings, and dysmenorrhic neuronegative disorders, and as an alternative to common hormone replacement therapy. Certain herbs are recognized in the treatment of hot flashes. They include but are not limited to licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), chaste berry (Vitex agnus-castus), black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) and angelica (Cong quai(angelica sinensis). Also known as black snakeroot and actaeae racemosae radix, black cohosh consists of the dried roots and rhizomes of Cimicifuga racemosa. Extracts of Cimicifuga racemosa are used in gyniatrics for the treatment of menopause complaints, such as hot flashes, sweating, sleep disorders, irritability, and depressive disgruntlement. The extract is regarded as a phytosubstitute for oestrogen replacement therapy. Extracts of Cimicifuga racemosa play no significant role in allopathic veterinary medicine. Black cohosh relieves hot flashes, depression and vaginal atrophy. Hot flashes and sweating secondary to vasomotor instability affect 75% of women. Psychologic and emotional symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, irritability and nervousness are common. Lack of sleep due to disturbance by recurring hot flashes contributes to fatigue and irritability. Dizziness, parenthesis and cardiac symptoms of palpitations and tachycardia may also occur; the incidence of heart disease increases. Other common symptoms include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, arthralgia and myalgia. Extracts of the rhizome of the black cohosh exhibit estrogen-like effects. Components which bind specifically to estrogen receptors and are able to lower gonadotropin levels in ovariectomized rats have been found in the extracts. It has therefore proved to be of value to administer these extracts for the purpose of treating climacteric complaints and dysmenorrhea. Pharmacologic studies have shown that black cohosh contains several compounds which may contribute to its activity, including triteipene glycosides, aglycones, isofalvones, and aromatic acids. It has been demonstrated that black cohosh may exert its effect on menopausal woman by reducing the serum concentration of the pituitary hormone luteinizing hormone. Black cohosh has been found to be a safe, effective alternative to estrogen replacement therapy for those patients in whom estrogen replacement therapt is either refused or contraindicated. It has been found that preparations of black cohosh are therapeutically effective against urinary incontinence. Black cohosh extract is a botanical known as an astringent, diuretic and expectorant. Black cohosh extract has been found to be particularly effective in cleansing the scalp and hair follicle openings to allow normal hair growth.

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