OVERVIEW
According to Health Canada, Black Cohosh can be used to help relieve pain associated with menstruation; relieve symptoms associated with menopause; relieve premenstrual symptoms; help ease nervous tension; and help relieve muscle and joint pain associated with rheumatic conditions.
A German study was conducted to determine the effects of black cohosh in treating menopausal symptoms. The study, which included 629 women found that black cohosh improved physical and psychological menopausal symptoms in more than 80% of the participants within four weeks. In a second study, 60 menopausal women were given black cohosh extract, conjugated estrogens, or diazepam (a leading anti-anxiety medication) for three months. Those who received black cohosh reported feeling significantly less depressed and anxious than those who received either estrogen or diazepam.
In a separate study, 80 menopausal women were treated for 12 weeks with black cohosh extract, conjugated estrogens, or placebo. The study found that black cohosh improved anxiety, menopause and a variety of vaginal symptoms.
