Indication: Menopausal symptoms

Source: Maturitas, 2003;44(Suppl 1):
S67-S77.

Research: In a double-blind clinical trial, researchers asked 62 postmeno­pausal women to take black cohosh supplements (40 mg), estrogen (.6 mg) or placebos daily for three months. The women recorded their menopause-related symptoms in a diary, and blood tests examined markers indicative of bone health.

Results: Black cohosh was equivalent to estrogen and both were superior to placebo in reducing menopausal symptoms. The symptoms included hot flashes, heart palpitations, sleep difficulty, nervousness, fatigue, vaginal dryness and decreases in sexual activity. Both the herb and the drug also improved signs of bone metabolism. A further benefit was that the herb did not significantly increase the numbers of endometrial cells, whereas estrogen did.