By Andrea Holwegner, Health Stand Nutrition Consulting Inc.

Black cohosh has been used as a treatment for menopause for decades in the traditional medicine field and is extensively used in Europe. Black cohosh is known for its effectiveness in treating menopause symptoms (hot flashes, heart palpitations, sleep disturbances, and mood changes), of if you have irregular menstrual cycles, or premenstrual discomfort. Suggested dosages include 40-80 mg of black cohosh (crude drug) per day (available in tablet and liquid form). Many research studies that show a beneficial effect have used the standardized brand Remifemin isopropanolic/ethanoilic extract of black cohosh root. Black cohosh should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Potential side effects could include occasional digestive discomfort and in rare cases when an overdose was taken side effects could be vertigo, nausea, vomiting, headache, impaired vision, and impaired circulation. There are no known drug interactions.

Click here for more reading on Black Cohosh (The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs)