What To Look For
Look for supplements that contain black cohosh root, the medicinal part of the plant.
The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements. As a result, the quality and amount of active ingredients in the product can vary from brand to brand.
Look for products certified by an independent third-party tester such as Consumer Labs, U.S. Pharmacopeia, or NSF International.
The Effects Of Black Cohosh
Black cohosh has been used for hundreds of years to treat a variety of conditions, including PMS, postpartum depression, menopause, and hot flashes. It is thought that the active ingredient is black cohosh, a perennial that grows in the wild in Canada and the United States. The plant has been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years, but its effects have not been well-studied. Preliminary research has suggested that it may have therapeutic benefits in the treatment of menopause and perimenopausal conditions. According to a study in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, black cohosh may be an effective treatment for perimenopausal and menopausal women who experience hot flashes. Some studies have found that black cohosh may improve symptoms of menopause. A study found that black cohosh appeared to improve sleep and mood among women who had severe hot flashes. A study found that black cohosh may improve symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and sleeplessness. Black cohosh may also help improve the quality of sleep among women.
Black Cohosh For Menopause Symptom And Hot Flash Relief
When we look to natural remedies for managing menopause symptoms, black cohosh is a prized ingredient. Native to North America, the flowering plant is a traditional medicine for hormonal discomforts including hot flashes and night sweats, moodiness and vaginal dryness.
Black cohosh has a long history as a health remedy. Native Americans used black cohosh as a tonic to support womens reproductive health a practice adopted by European settlers. The herb has been studied over the past several decades and we now have a body of modern research that backs up black cohoshs effectiveness as a natural remedy for menopause symptom relief.
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How To Take Black Cohosh
The standard black cohosh dosage is 40 mg to 128 mg of extract daily for up to 12 months. The most common preparations are tinctures and capsules, but motivated individuals can make their own, Dr. Lin says. To brew it at home:
- Simmer 1 cup of water with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of dried black cohosh root.
- Keep on stove top for 10 minutes to 15 minutes.
- Strain and drink up to three cups per day.
To ensure that youre buying a safe, quality product, Dr. Lin recommends purchasing only organic black cohosh from reputable companies that have been independently verified by a third party such as ConsumerLab, U.S. Pharmacopeia or NSF International.
Taking Black Cohosh For Hot Flashes
Today, the roots and underground stems of black cohosh are turned into herbal supplements in the form of capsules, powders and teas and marketed as a way to reduce hot flashes.
Hot flashes, which are due in part to estrogen withdrawal, are the most common complaint during menopause, impacting up to 80% of women and people assigned female at birth. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:
- Profuse sweating.
But can black cohosh actually help get rid of hot flashes? Researchers arent convinced. The application of black cohosh for hot flashes is relatively new to the 20th century, but research as a whole has not been supportive of this use, Dr. Lin says.
One of the phytochemicals in black cohosh has a serotonin-like effect, which may impact your bodys ability to regulate temperature and ultimately help to reduce hot flashes but its not a sure thing. Not all black cohosh plants express the gene-encoding enzyme required to make this phytochemical, Dr. Lin explains.
One study found no significant difference between participants who took black cohosh and those who took a placebo.
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Black Cohosh Cannot Raise Estrogen Levels During Menopause
However, other studies suggest that black cohosh does not raise women’s estrogen levels during menopause.
1. In 1986, and FDA report warned of the potentially hazardous side effects of black cohosh.
2. An article in American Family Physician which reviewed recent studies on black cohosh concluded that the herb had little or no estrogenic effects.
3. Research published in 2003 by the University of Maryland Medical Center in the International Journal of Oncology found that black cohosh didn’t register on several different estrogen measurement scales.
Estrogen Antidepressants Black Cohosh
Menopause and the treatment of its symptoms are in the news again with the publication of new guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. And sadly, women seem just as confused as ever about how they should handle symptoms like hot flashes without risking their health.âI feel so baffled by the choices out there,â wrote one reader in the comments section of a New York Times story that examined the guidelines, published in the January 2014 issue of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. âI would like to take charge of my health, but all the information seems so contradictory.âThat confusion is understandable, said Dr. Katherine A. Guthrie, a statistician and menopause researcher in Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centerâs Public Health Sciences Division.âItâs a complex issue and itâs important to consider where you are as an individual,â she said.âEveryone and their brother seem to have a recommendation for women about what they should do about this,â Guthrie said. âWomen are suffering, their quality of life is suffering and theyâre being told to waste their time and money on solutions that we have good evidence donât work.â
Contact writer Diane Mapes at
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Black Cohosh Interesting Facts
The spread of black cohosh across Europe took place after Native American Indians introduced the herb to European colonists. It became a common treatment for womens health issues in Europe in the mid-20th century. Traditional Chinese medicine also shows record of the use of black cohosh to serve as an anti-inflammatory and painkiller.
One of its nicknames, Bugbane, was coined because of its use as an insect repellent, though its no longer used for that purpose. Another, snakeroot, was derived from the habit of frontiersmen using it to treat rattlesnake bites. Its efficacy against snake bites has never been tested by modern researchers, but its an interesting theory.
Be careful not to confuse black cohosh with its sister plants, blue cohosh and white cohosh. These plants are similar in structure, but dont have the same effects and may be dangerous to ingest.
Comparison Of Bmd Of The Distal Femur Of Rats In Each Group
The distal femur BMD of rats in the four groups of NS + NS, GnRH-a + NS, GnRH-a + E2, and GnRH-a + ICR was g/cm3, g/cm3, g/cm3 and g/cm3 . There was a significant difference in BMD between the four groups of . The BMD level of the GnRH-a + NS group was significantly lower than that of the NS + NS, GnRH-a + E2, and GnRH-a + ICR groups , while that of the GnRH-a + E2 and GnRH-a + ICR groups was slightly lower than that of the NS + NS group, but the difference between the three groups was not statistically significant .
Figure 1 Comparison of the distal femur BMD of rats in each group. **P< 0.01 vs. NS + NS ##P< 0.01 vs, GnRH-a + NS.
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What Others Said About Black Cohosh
At Bust Bunny, our supplements all contain black cohosh as the main ingredient.
The Breast Enlargement supplement and Hormonal Balance supplement have been used by our customers from all over the world.
Many of our customers loved our smooth and efficient shipping process after placing their orders.
Other things they liked about the supplements include:
- The breasts got fuller, perkier, and rounder.
- PMS symptoms were less severe and acne was eliminated.
- The pills are odorless and easy to swallow.
- The supplements dont hurt the stomach.
Love how my breasts feel firmer and dont have the deflated appearance. Excited to see and feel the effects as time goes on.
Black Cohosh: Benefits Dosage Side Effects And More
The popular womens health supplement Remifemin contains black cohosh as an active ingredient.
Its flowers and roots were commonly used in traditional Native American medicine, and today its a popular womens health supplement claimed to help with menopause symptoms, fertility, and hormonal balance.
It may be effective because it functions as a phytoestrogen, a plant-based compound that mimics the action of the hormone estrogen. However, theres some debate as to whether black cohosh can be classified as a true phytoestrogen .
Regardless, black cohosh appears to be beneficial for relieving menopause symptoms. Still, evidence for its other uses is lacking.
Black cohosh has a number of potential benefits most of them related to womens health or hormonal balance. Yet, with the exception of menopause symptoms, there is little evidence to support its use for any of these conditions.
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Effects Of Hormones And Antihormones With Bc On Cell Viability
T-47D cellular viability was also assessed under treatment combinations that were previously mentioned with hormones and antihormones. Cells were cultured using the experimental approach as indicated in Cell viability assays in Materials and methods section. Figure 6 illustrates the results of the treatment combinations compared to the control. As mentioned previously, E2 is an ER agonist therefore, it is expected that this compound will induce cell proliferation in hormone-dependent T-47D cells. Results in Figure 6 also signify that treatment of BC alone significantly reverses cell proliferation it is also seen with treatments of ICI alone and in the combination of BC + ICI. Treatment with E2 + ICI, BC + E2, TAM, BC + TAM, and E2 + TAM, when compared to control, shows no cellular reduction.
Effects of hormones and antihormones with BC on cell viability.
Notes: T-47D cells were cultured as mentioned in Figure 3. The treatments, alone or in combination, consisted of 100 µM BC, 10 nM E2, 1 µM of pure ER antagonist, ICI, and 1 µM TAM. Treatment combinations are as follows: E2, ICI, E2 + ICI, BC, BC + E2, BC + ICI, TAM, BC + TAM, E2 + TAM. This was followed by a cell viability assay utilizing propidium iodide staining and image cytometry via the Nexcelom Cellometer Vision on the seventh day. ***p< 0.001 . Three independent experiments are displayed in the graph.
Effects On Men Taking Black Cohosh
Black cohosh has been used for countless generations by Native Americans for a variety of conditions, including gynecological disorders. More recently, it has become a popular herbal remedy to counteract the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and menopause because of its estrogen-like properties. Men can benefit from taking black cohosh also, although in high doses it may disrupt the male hormonal balance.
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Should I Take Black Cohosh Supplements In The Morning Or At Night
You can take the black cohosh supplement at any time of the day or night. Always ensure you take two pills daily with water to start seeing results fast.
Expert Tip: To minimize the risk of liver damage and the above-listed side effects, always take only the recommended dose. Taking more than the recommended dose wont yield faster results.
Supports Women Experiencing Menopausal Symptoms
Menopause is one of the most challenging times in a womans life. It comes with many unpleasant symptoms, such as:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
These symptoms can cause distress and lower the quality of life for anyone. To ease them, many women turn to hormone replacement therapy. This is where hormonal medications are administered to restore the natural balance of hormones in the body.
Hormone replacement therapy comes with adverse risks including blood clots, weight gain, and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Phytoestrogenic herbs, such as black cohosh, are a safer and more natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Black cohosh works the same as estrogen, hence inhibiting the effects of menopause.
Studies show that it takes women suffering from menopause symptoms up to four weeks to experience relief. At eight weeks, even more noticeable benefits were noted.
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The Benefits Of Black Cohosh
Studies show that black cohosh binds to your bodys opioid receptors, giving it a painkilling effect. Today, its sometimes used to reduce the muscle aches and body pains associated with menopause, perimenopause and postmenopause.
But while you may think its a new trend in wellness circles, it has actually been used since ancient times by healers and medical practitioners all over the world.
In recent years, black cohosh has been touted as a treatment for hot flashes, but this is not the way it has been traditionally used, Dr. Lin says. Both traditional Chinese medicine and Western herbal tradition have long used black cohosh to reduce pain and calm the nervous system.
- Nervous spasms and related pain.
- Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome , including headaches and body aches.
North American Indigenous peoples have also long used black cohosh to treat the pain associated with periods, childbirth and menopause symptoms. And in the 20th century, some physicians began using black cohosh for pain associated with gynecological disorders.
Drug Interactions With Black Cohosh
Used for its antirheumatic and antispasmodic properties, black cohosh is also well known to prevent uterine contractions and reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes associated with menopausal disorders. Black cohosh was found to inhibit CYP2B6, CYP2C19 and CYP2E1 in isolated human hepatic microsomes . Another study confirmed the inhibition of CYP2C19 by black cohosh extracts in vitro. A separate study reported inhibition of recombinant CYP3A4 in vitro. Another study extended these findings to include the inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP2C9, in addition to CYP3A4, in cultured hepatocytes . In contrast, a later study demonstrated no effects on human hepatic microsomal CYP3A4 activity . Further support for these data was shown by following administration of black cohosh for 14 days to healthy volunteers there was a lack of significant effect on CYP3A or CYP2D6 activity. A further study by the same authors demonstrated weak inhibition of CYP2D6 when black cohosh was administered to healthy individuals for 28 days however, this was considered to be clinically irrelevant .
Joseph E. Pizzorno ND, … Herb Joiner-Bey ND, in, 2016
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Black Cohosh Can Raise Estrogen Levels During Menopause
There is some evidence to suggest that black cohosh can raise estrogen levels:
1. In traditional medicine, black cohosh has been used to treat gynecological problems and childbirth recovery.
2. The German report by Stengler shows that one study of 131 doctors and 629 female patients revealed that a standardized extract of black cohosh alleviated menopausal symptoms in over 80 percent of the patients within six to eight weeks.
3. Author Michael Castleman records in his book The New Healing Herbs, that between 1982 and 1991, black cohosh was tested on nearly 1,200 women in Germany. Allegedly, in all trials, participants experienced briefer hot flashes, less vaginal dryness, an improved mood and relief from fatigue.
Helps Ease The Effects Of Hormonal Imbalance
Hormones help regulate the various functions in your body. When they rise or fall below normal levels in the bloodstream they result in hormonal imbalance.
Hormonal imbalance can occur naturally during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. It can also be precipitated by certain medications. For example, many women experience hormonal imbalances when on birth control.
When hormones fluctuate, the following functions in your body may be affected.
- Moods. Mood swings can influence the way a woman interacts with others, which affect both her personal life and career.
- Metabolism. Slowed metabolism can lead to chronic fatigue and weight gain.
- Reproductive cycle. When hormonal imbalance interferes with the reproductive cycle, your periods may be more painful and irregular.
- Sleep. Hormonal imbalance is a major cause of insomnia in women, which, over time, can lead to diabetes, weight gain, and high blood pressure.
- Anxiety. Hormonal imbalance may cause constant nervousness, which could lead to poor concentration and quality of life.
Black cohosh supports estrogen balance in your body, which helps alleviate all symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance.
Take note that different bodies show different responses at varied times. Some women start experiencing relief after two weeks, others after three months, and so on.
For instance, AshleeW started seeing results after only a month.
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Menopause And Menopause Symptoms
Alleviating menopause symptoms is the reason most people use black cohosh, and its one of the uses that has the most compelling evidence to support it.
In one study in 80 menopausal women who were experiencing hot flashes, those who supplemented with 20 mg of black cohosh daily for 8 weeks reported significantly fewer and less severe hot flashes than before they started the supplement .
Whats more, other human studies have confirmed similar findings. Though larger studies are needed, black cohosh appears to be beneficial for alleviating menopause symptoms .
Can Feminizing Herbs Really Increase Estrogen
I think it would be more than fair to say that much of what you read regarding the effects that feminization herbs have on the male body is purely anecdotal. There is not nearly enough clinical research nor scientific facts to back up the many claims.
Still, since there are so damn many reports of significant results among the MtF TG communityincluding myselfits hard to not take seriously.
Personally, I dont believe that feminizing herbs should be looked upon as an across-the-board replacement to traditional FHT. Treat them rather as a milder, gentler and a maybe healthier approach to a doctor-prescribed regimen of feminizing hormone therapy.
Or perhaps use them as a herbal-bridge to traditional FHT.
Because feminization herbs are naturally occurringno prescription necessarydoesnt mean that they should be taken lightly. On the contrary, some of the herbs Ive mentioned here are remarkably potent, and deserve the required amount or respect.
If you do choose to experiment with any of these herbs that increase estrogen, my advice would be to monitor your dosage carefully. It can sometimes take a week or two for your body to adapt to them.
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