Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, formerly Cimicifuga racemosa) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American and early European-American practitioners, for various women’s health concerns. Its use for symptoms resembling PMS Type A (characterized by anxiety, irritability, and mood swings, believed to be linked to estrogen dominance or hormonal imbalance) is based largely on this tradition. Historical herbal texts and records describe black cohosh as an “emmenagogue” and a remedy for "female complaints," including menstrual irregularities and mood symptoms.

However, scientific evidence specifically supporting black cohosh for PMS—especially PMS Type A—is sparse. Most modern research on black cohosh focuses on its effects on menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and mood disturbances, rather than premenstrual syndrome. Some studies suggest mild serotonergic effects or modulation of estrogen receptors, but these findings are not directly tied to PMS. There are very few clinical trials examining black cohosh for PMS, and those that exist have methodological limitations and inconsistent results. Therefore, while its use for PMS Type A is justified by tradition, not science, and the overall evidence is weak.

More about black cohosh
More about PMS Type A

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Vitabase Active Woman's Multi
Pure Encapsulations Black Cohosh 2.5
Metagenics Black Cohosh Plus®
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Designs For Health FemGuard+Balance™
Thorne Meta-Balance
Vitabase Women's Support