Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is primarily used to support the reproductive system, especially in relation to women's health. Traditionally, Native American and early European herbalists used black cohosh for gynecological conditions such as menstrual discomfort and symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flashes and mood disturbances. Over the past several decades, scientific interest has focused on these traditional uses, particularly for menopause symptom relief.

Clinical studies have produced mixed results. Some randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest that black cohosh extracts can modestly reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. The exact mechanism is not fully understood; black cohosh does not appear to have direct estrogenic activity but may affect serotonergic pathways in the brain. However, other well-conducted studies have found little to no benefit compared to placebo. The variability in results may be due to differences in extract standardization, study populations, and outcome measurements.

Major organizations such as the North American Menopause Society acknowledge that black cohosh may provide relief for some women, but it is not universally effective. Safety data indicate that short-term use is generally well tolerated, though rare cases of liver toxicity have been reported. Overall, there is modest scientific validation for the use of black cohosh in supporting the female reproductive system, specifically for menopausal symptom management, but evidence is not robust or consistent across all studies.

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Products containing black cohosh

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