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Black Cohosh: Your Best Friend for Menopause?
A Bite-Size Read for Your Health and Your Waistline
Have you heard of black cohosh (pronounced koh-haw-shh)? How about black bugbane, black snakeroot, fairy candle, rheumatism weed, or battleweed? All of these refer to a perennial shrub-like plant that grows in the forests of the eastern United States and Canada. North American indigenous populations used black cohosh to help with pain associated with periods and childbirth as well as treating menopause symptoms. Why don’t we all know about it?! Truly, I’m not totally sure because this is just the beginning.
Black cohosh continues to be used to help treat pain and discomfort associated with gynecological symptoms and disorders. A 2018 study found that menopausal women experiencing hot flashes who supplemented with black cohosh daily for eight weeks reported significantly fewer and less severe hot flashes. Some research suggests it may be able to help with these symptoms because it may mimic estrogen in the body. While there aren’t conclusive findings yet, what we do know about this amazing shrub so far indicates that it has the potential to promote hormonal balance!
As a supplement, black cohosh can also promote a better mood overall as well as providing support for mental health. A study looking at how herbal supplements affected menopausal women with anxiety and…
