| Modern uses of black cohosh
For many years, the use of black cohosh fell out of
favor, but this popular root is once again being used
as an herbal treatment for such symptoms as hot flashes
which are commonly associated with menopause. When traditional
hormone replacement therapy was found to carry significant
health risks, many doctors recommended that their patients
treat their menopausal symptoms instead with black cohosh.
Black cohosh is also thought to be an excellent anti-inflammatory
medication, a relief for muscle aches and even a mild
sedative. In addition, black cohosh has been used to
clear stopped up mucous membranes and to help lessen
congestion and coughing.
The importance of black cohosh
Black cohosh also has a long history of treating
menstrual cramps in a drug free way. The antispasmodic
properties of black cohosh may be responsible for its
effectiveness at treating the discomforts of menstrual
cramps. In addition, black cohosh is thought to increase
the blood flow to the uterus, and to reduce the intensity
of painful cramping. Black cohosh is even thought to
benefit those suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Black cohosh is available in a number of different
preparations, including tinctures, tablets, capsules,
and dried herbs. These dried black cohosh herbs are
often used to prepare soothing teas.
What to look for
When shopping for capsules or tablets containing black
cohosh, it is important to look for those products which
have been standardized to contain 2.5% triterpenes glycosides,
which are the active ingredients in the black cohosh
root. It is this amount that has proven most effective
in clinical trials of black cohosh.
When buying liquid forms of black cohosh, it is important
to seek out those products that have been standardized
to a higher percentage, around 5% of triterpene glycosides.
For many people the capsules which contain the freeze
dried black cohosh roots can be an excellent choice,
since these capsules are most likely to contain all
of the key ingredients in this herb. This includes many
of the compounds that have yet to be identified by science,
but which are likely to be part of the active ingredients
of black cohosh.
The best preparation of black cohosh for PMS symptoms
is to take 40 mg of black cohosh two times a day. This
regimen should be started from a week to 10 days prior
to your period. Muscle aches and pains are best treated
with a warm compress which has been soaked in black
cohosh tea. This preparation should be applied to the
affected area for about 20 minutes. The black cohosh
tea is made by boiling the dried black cohosh root in
water for 20 to 30 minutes, and then allowing the tea
to cool before it is used.
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