Black cohosh would have beneficial effects against the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, anxiety, or excessive sweating. In combination with St. John’s Wort (hypercum perforatum), it would fight against depression, a major menopause problems. St. John’s Wort contains an active ingredient, hypericin, which is thought to act on mood regulation. Numerous clinical studies ¹ have been shown to be effective in the treatment of mild depression.

You should know that black cohosh is recognized by the commission E²  and the World Health Organization (WHO) for its positive action against the symptoms of menopause.

Generally, standardized extracts of black cohosh are found in the form of capsules containing 1 mg of 27-deoxyactéin. We can go up to 4 daily capsules of standardized extracts of black cohosh, taking into account the 27-deoxyactéin content: 1 mg / capsule.

This plant from the Ranunculaceae family has its origins in southeastern Canada and northeastern United States. The Amerindians used it to fight against menstrual pains and those of childbirth. It is in Germany and from the XX^stcentury that we began to prescribe standardized extracts of black cohosh to postmenopausal women.  

Until the early 2000s, the prescription of hormone replacement therapy was almost systematic in menopause. It was even supposed to prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease.³ In 2002 when the American study Women’s Health Initiative (WHI)⁴  highlights the correlation links between hormone replacement therapy, breast cancer and coronary heart disease, many women are turning to black cohosh.

Practical Guide, natural health products, everything you need to know to use them better, p 77 M.WICHTL et al., 1994, HANSGEN et al., 1996. The 24 members of Commission E made up an exceptional interdisciplinary panel which had recognized experts in medicine, pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacy and herbal medicine. From 1978 to 1994, these specialists evaluated 360 plants based on extensive documentation including, among other things, chemical analyzes, experimental, pharmacological and toxicological studies as well as clinical and epidemiological research. The first draft of a monograph was reviewed by all members of Commission E, but also by scientific associations, academic experts and other specialists. Hormone therapy more studies, less certainty! Sylvie Dodin. JAMA. 2002 Jul 17; 288 (3): 321-33. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: principal results From the Women’s Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. Grodstein F, Manson JE, Colditz GA et al. A prospective, observational study of postmenopausal hormone therapy and primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Ann Intern Med 2000; 133: 933-41 Practical Guide. Natural health products, everything you need to know to use them better. Herbal medicine from A to Z, health through plants, Alpen edition.