Black Cohosh - Non-Timber Forest Products
Black Cohosh - Non-Timber Forest Products
Black Cohosh - Non-Timber Forest Products
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Borrelli, F.; Ernst, E. 2002. Cimicifuga racemosa: a systematic review of<br />
its clinical efficacy. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 58:<br />
235-241.<br />
Reviews four randomized clinical trials on the use of black cohosh to treat<br />
menopausal symptoms in women, and summarizes in vitro and in vivo<br />
assays to determine the mechanism of action of the medicinal constituents<br />
in the rhizome. The randomized clinical trials yielded conflicting results:<br />
three studies showed that black cohosh significantly improved physical<br />
and psychological symptoms of menopause, though one of these studies<br />
also showed significant improvement in the placebo group. The fourth<br />
study showed no change in symptoms. The differing results may be due to<br />
variations in dosage, number of participants, and/or duration of the study.<br />
Early research on mice and rats indicated estrogenic effects; recent studies,<br />
however, have suggested a dopaminergic activity. Because earlier research<br />
did not use standardized extracts, estrogenic results may have been caused<br />
by contaminants.<br />
Keywords: Clinical studies, physiological actions, research reviews.<br />
Borrelli, F.; Izzo, A.A.; Ernst, E. 2003. Pharmacological effects of<br />
Cimicifuga racemosa. Life Sciences. 73(10): 1215-1229.<br />
Investigates the physiological actions of black cohosh by analyzing in<br />
vivo and in vitro experiments. Early studies suggested that black cohosh<br />
increased uterine weight and induced menstruation in ovariectomized<br />
rats by binding to estrogen receptors, reducing levels of luteinizing<br />
hormone. The chemical constituent believed to cause these phytoestrogenic<br />
effects was later identified as an adulterant not found in black cohosh<br />
roots and rhizomes. Current research using a standardized extract at<br />
recommended doses suggests that black cohosh reduces hot flashes through<br />
a dopaminergic effect on the brain. The effects of black cohosh on estrogensensitive<br />
cancer has not yet been determined; research has produced<br />
conflicting results.<br />
Keywords: Cancer, chemical constituents, clinical studies, hot flashes,<br />
luteinizing hormone, physiological actions, research reviews.<br />
Brücker, A. 1960. Essay on the phytotherapy of hormonal disorders in<br />
women. Medizinische Welt. 44: 2331-2333. Abstract available at http://<br />
www.chiro.org/nutrition/ABSTRACTS/Essay_on_the_Phytotherapy.<br />
shtml. [Date accessed: September 13, 2004].<br />
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