Black Cohosh FAQs
What is Black Cohosh?
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a plant indigenous to North America that has been traditionally used by Native Americans for generations to support female health as well as a host of other physical challenges. The dried root and rhizomes of the plant are generally used for herbal preparations.
Is there any research supporting black cohosh?
Black cohosh has been researched and successfully used in Germany as herbal support for common symptoms related to menopause.* The German Commission E (a German advisory board that reviews and approves traditional and herbal medicines) included the monograph for black cohosh in 1989 based on the many years of clinical efficacy and safety of this herb. The active components identified belong to a family of triterpene glycosides, and the best formulas are standardized to contain a guaranteed amount of these naturally occurring compounds.
How does black cohosh work?
Though it was once theorized that black cohosh exerted its beneficial effects via estrogen-like activity, more recent animal and human clinical studies performed in Europe have indicated that the pharmacology and mechanism of action is not estrogenic. Research into the mechanism of action is ongoing.
