Herbal remedies for metabolism & alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis

Black Cohosh provides safe herbal remedies for many ailments. Native Americans Indians commonly used this tall, graceful perennial to cure, among other things, rattlesnake bites, aptly referring to it as Rattle Root. Native women on the other hand, used the plant for female-type problems including, menstrual symptoms and childbirth pain, calling it Squawroot. But today, Black Cohosh, by any other name, is still considered a very powerful estrogenic and anti-inflammatory in its own rite.

Originally found throughout Canada and the eastern United States, as far south as Florida, this fragrant wild herb thrives in shady forested areas. Black Cohosh can reach up to 8 feet in height, its feathery spikes of white Astilbe-like flowers blooming from June through July. It was eventually naturalized in Europe, and has been used there now for over 40 years as an approved treatment for most pre- and post-menstrual symptoms.

History shows that the North American Indians, who frequently chewed the root for its sedative properties, introduced Black Cohosh to ‘American medicine’. They claimed it relieved depression, cured malaise, kidney disorders, malaria, colds, coughs, constipation, hives, backache, arthritis, sore throats and even induced lactation in new mothers. If sprinkled in a room as a tea, this herb, related to the buttercup, was also believed to ward off evil spirits and prevent them from entering the home. In the early 19th century, Black Cohosh was a common home remedy among Colonists for fever, arthritis and amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) and was frequently used as a diuretic. In the late 1800s, Lydia Pinkham, a grandmother from Lynn, Massachusetts, developed a ‘cure-all’ tonic of alcohol (18 percent to be exact) and crushed herbs (including Black Cohosh) for female problems. Originally, Pinkham shared the tonic with her neighbor, but after amazing results, her son urged her to market the product. Within a few years Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound was a hit and dubbed “the savior of her sex”. It s sedative, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties were later found to also be helpful for men.

Today, Black Cohosh is touted an alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy, without of course, the side effects normally associated with conventional estrogen replacement. It is believed that a recently identified chemical, fukinolic acid, along with triterpene glycoside, the main active ingredient in Black Cohosh, has estrogenic properties. These substances act like estrogens in the body without producing the negative side effects, such as breast cancer, normally associated with high levels of estrogen. It is believed that black Cohosh balances estrogen levels by reducing progesterone levels.

Dozens of studies have been conducted since the 1980s validating the effectiveness of this herb on menopausal symptoms. One significant German study looked at 629 menopausal women and concluded that more than 80 percent had improved physiological and psychological symptoms within four weeks¹. In one other such study, 80 menopausal women were treated for 3 months with Black Cohosh extract, estrogens or a placebo. It was concluded that after 12 weeks of treatment, subjects receiving the Black Cohosh and estrogen experienced less anxiety and menopausal symptoms, including the number and intensity of hot flashes².

In 2001, as a result of these and other positive studies, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists concurred that Black Cohosh may be helpful in the short term at least (6 months or less), for menopausal women. In the interim, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is funding a 12-month study on the effectiveness of Black Cohosh in reducing the number and duration of menopausal hot flashes³.

Apart from its proven effectiveness in relieving the common symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, mood swings, headache and night sweats, Black Cohosh is also thought to lower the incidence of breast cancer in menopausal women. Laboratory studies show that the estrogenic properties in Black Cohosh’s may actually block the ‘bad’ effects of estrogens known in some cases, to produce cancerous tumors⁴. This finding is still quite controversial however, and researchers warn that women with a family history (a mother or sister) of breast cancer, should avoid Black Cohosh until more substantiated research is concluded.

Black Cohosh has been used as an anti-inflammatory for centuries. Recent studies now also suggest that it may be useful as a treatment and pain relief for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. One study concluded that when used in combination with other herbs such as willow bark, sarsaparilla, guaiacum resin and poplar bark, it can relieve pain of inflammation⁵. As well, although not yet concluded through clinical trials, research does suggest that Black Cohosh could prevent osteoporosis, through its beneficial properties associated with the plant-based estrogens⁶. Black Cohosh is available in a liquid form as a tincture, as capsules and tablets or dried. While there are no studies on the effects of Black Cohosh on children, the recommended doses for adults depend on the need and the form in which it will be administered. Normally, the recommended dose ranges between 40 – 80 mg per day. In tincture form that amounts to 2 to 4 ml, three times daily.

Remifemin, a commercialized pharmaceutical preparation made from a standardized 20-mg Black Cohosh extract, is currently available for HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) purposes. These Commercial products usually contain 1 mg of total triterpene saponins (the main active component of Black Cohosh) in each 20-mg dose.

There are no reported side effects from Black Cohosh when taken at recommended doses, but in large doses, it has been known to cause stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, tremors and in some cases joint pain and headaches. And because the jury is still out on the effects of the estrogenic properties and breast cancer, it is best that women with a history of cancer consult a health practitioner prior to taking the herb. Pregnant and lactating women should avoid Black Cohosh since it has been known in some instances (although normally associated more with Blue Cohosh) to stimulate contractions and induce premature labor.

Black Cohosh for Hair Loss Black Cohosh is recommended for most post menopausal issues. With its ability to regulate estrogen hormone level, it has also been found to be helpful in hair loss restoration. Black cohosh is generally included in most of the hair loss restoration formulas.

Equal parts of wild yam root, licorice, motherwort, black cohosh, chamomile, valerian root and skullcap can be taken as the safe herbal supplements for hair loss due to loss of estrogen production. All these herbs are known to simulate estrogen in your system.

References:

1. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. “The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines”, Boston, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 19998:90
2. Lieberman S.,”A review of the effectiveness of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) for the symptoms of menopause”, J Womens Health. 1998;5:525–529.
3. www.clinicaltrials.gov or 212-342-0110, Columbia University, New York, NY
4. Dixon-Shanies D, Shaikh N., “Growth inhibition of human breast cancer cells by herbs and phytoestrogens”, Oncol Rep. 1996;6(6):1383-1387.
5. Ernst E, Chrubasik S. “Phyto–anti-inflammatories. A systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials”, Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2000;26(1):13-27.
6. Guillaume G. “Postmenopausal osteoporosis and Chinese medicine”, Am J Acupuncture. 1992;20(2):105-111