Black Cohosh - Non-Timber Forest Products

metastasis of cancer to the lungs was higher in groups taking black cohosh
(27.1 percent, n = 96 treatment group, versus 10.9 percent, n = 110, control
group) after 14 weeks of treatment. The number of lung tumors increased
with longer exposure to black cohosh. The results indicated that black
cohosh did not increase the possibility of developing breast cancer in
healthy individuals, but could accelerate metastasis of existing tumors.
Keywords: Cancer, clinical studies.
Dixon-Shanies, D.; Shaikh, N. 1999. Growth inhibition of human breast
cancer cells by herbs and phytoestrogens. Oncology Reports. 6: 1383–
1387.
Evaluates the abilities of various agents to protect against breast cancer.
Black cohosh extract was found to inhibit growth of T–47D cancer cells.
Keywords: Cancer, clinical studies, phytoestrogens, research.
Dog, T.L.; Powell, K.L.; Weisman, S.M. 2003. Critical evaluation of
the safety of Cimicifuga racemosa in menopause symptom relief.
Menopause. 10(40): 299-313.
Reviews clinical research on the safety of black cohosh for treating
menopausal symptoms. Reports from both the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, Special Nutritional Adverse Events Monitoring System and
the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for International Drug
Monitoring are presented. Adverse effects reported included headache, high
blood pressure, heart attack, diarrhea, chest pain, anxiety, and weakness.
In most cases, the patients used a combination product that contained
black cohosh and other herbs. The products named in the report were not
investigated, and the cause of the reaction only speculated. A postmarketing
survey conducted by the manufacturers of Remifemin ® found that 7 percent
of patients experienced temporary, mild gastrointestinal upset. No serious
side effects were reported. Numerous clinical studies on the effect of black
cohosh in vivo and in vitro are reviewed. These studies suggested that
black cohosh is safe when used in the recommended dosage for a period
of 6 months and possibly longer. Studies on black cohosh and estrogen
receptor-positive breast cancer showed that black cohosh did not stimulate
cell proliferation, and may have actually inhibited the development of
tumors. The authors concluded that the long history of medicinal usage, low
incidence of adverse effects, and numerous clinical studies demonstrating
improvement in menopausal symptoms with a lack of serious side effects
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