The Healers - A website about healing and healers

Tip of the Month:
Black Cohosh for Hot Flashes

by Bonnie Bucqueroux
(click here to submit a tip and win a Healers t-shirt)

Menopause is a natural event in the life cycle of all women, but some suffer more than others from hot flashes. What to do now that Hormone Replacement Therapy elevates your risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke? Is there a safe but effective alternative?

The old Lydia Pinkham elixir

Black Cohosh appears to be a welcome alternative therapy. The Germans, who seem to be far ahead of the United States in identifying herbal alternatives, recommend Black Cohosh for hot flashes.

Hot flashes occur when estrogen levels drop and your brain responds by triggering surges of of the GNRH hormone, most often at night. The flashes typically last three to six minutes and the insomnia caused by the sweats and chills can be debilitating. Thin women tend to suffer most. Women who carry a few extra pounds often suffer less, because estrogen is stored in fat.

In the United States during the first half of the 20th Century, many women relied on Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound for a variety of "female ailments." At the time, the primary ingredient was Blach Cohosh (in a tincture of alcohol, which also allowed women in the Temperance movement an occasional tipple). For more than 100 years, until 1926, Black Cohosh was listed as a treatment for 'female troubles' in the U.S. Pharmacopaiea.

Black Cohosh in the wild

Black Cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa), also called squaw root, bugbane, black snake root, and rattle weed, grows wild in the United States -- the flowering plants can reach eight-foot high. While there is some concern that a rush of new customers for Black Cohosh could further endanger this at-risk plant, there is also a strong possibility that companies will begin to cultivate Black Cohosh to fill the need for alternative medications for hot flashes.

The plant grows from a rhizome (the bulb-like structure from which plants like irises grow) and it contains the active ingredient 24-deoxyacteine. The good news is that there appear to be few side effects other than occasional gastric distress. (Do not, however, confuse Black Cohosh with Blue Cohosh, which can cause problems.)

The VitaminShoppe.com offers a wide variety of Black Cohosh and Remifemin products. While there appear to be no reported cases of toxic interaction with other drugs, always tell your doctor and your pharmacist about all remedies you are taking.

Click here to submit your tip!



		Indulge yourself with natural fiber bedding
		The joy of flowers
		Natural light





		What you need to know about ghee
		Going vegetarian?
		Recipe of the month





		You will love Yoga
		Walk for fitness
		The virtues of keeping a daily journal





		Music from around the world
		We love Enya
		Share your favorites

RETURN TO:

HOME

Tip of the Month: Black Cohosh for Hot Flashes

Tip of the Month:
Black Cohosh for Hot Flashes