Black Cohosh - Non-Timber Forest Products

Vorberg, G. 1984. Treatment of menopause symptoms. Zeitschrift Für
Alternsforschung. 60: 626-629.
Evaluates the effectiveness of Remifemin ® in an open study with 50 women.
After 12 weeks of treatment, significant improvements were observed for
neurovegetative and psychological symptoms.
Keywords: Clinical studies, medicinal uses, Remifemin ® .
Wade, C.; Kronenberg, F.; Kelly, A.; Murphy, P.A. 1999. Hormonemodulating
herbs: implications for women’s health. Journal of the
American Medical Women’s Association. 54(4): 181-183.
Reviews research related to black cohosh, particularly the effectiveness and
safety of phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens such as isoflavones, lignans, and
coumestans can bind to estrogen receptors and produce both estrogenic and
antiestrogenic effects to mediate hormonal imbalances. Research into the
estrogen-like effects of black cohosh has yielded conflicting results. One
study identified the isoflavone formononetin in a black cohosh preparation,
whereas another study found no traceable amount. One study concluded
that black cohosh could bind to estrogen receptors, whereas another study
concluded that black cohosh did not increase the proliferation of breast
cancer that would have resulted from binding to estrogen sites. The authors
attributed inconsistencies in research findings to the lack of controlled,
randomized studies with women of homogenous hormonal status.
Keywords: Cancer, chemical constituents, phytoestrogens, research reviews,
safety.
Warnecke, G. 1985. Influence of a phytopharmaceutical on climacteric
complaints. Medizinische Welt. 36: 871-874.
Evaluates the effectiveness of black cohosh, hormone replacement
therapy, and a psychopharmaceutical drug for treating various symptoms
of menopause in an open, controlled, comparative study. Sixty
menopausal female patients were divided into three groups and received
either Remifemin ® (40 drops twice daily), estrogens (0.625 mg daily),
or Diazepam (2 mg daily) for a 12-week duration. The Kupperman
Menopausal Index, Clinical Global Impression Scale, and Profile of
Mood States were used to evaluate the effectiveness of each treatment.
All therapies were deemed comparatively good, and both Remifemin ®
and estrogens similarly stimulated vaginal mucosa with an increase
in cytological indices. Because it lacked any negative side effects and
performed as well as the estrogens in treating neurovegetative menopausal
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