Black Cohosh and hot flashes

Pilot evaluation of black cohosh for the treatment of hot flashes in women.

Article Summary:

The purpose of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of black cohosh to reduce hot flashes. Only women who reported at least 14 hot flashes per week participated in this study. These women recieved black cohosh extract for the last four weeks of this five week long study. The data was collected by having daily questionnaires. Of the 21 women who completed this study, the mean age was 56 years.

The result of the study was that the daily hot flash mean of the women decreased 50 percent at the completion of the study. The weekly hot flash mean of the women decreased 56 percent at the end of the study. Most patients reported less trouble sleeping, less fatigue, and less abnormal sweating. No adverse effects caused anyone who participated in the study to have to stop taking the black cohosh extract. The conclusion was that black cohosh seems to reduce hot flashes and it has a low toxicity.

Authors:

Pockaj BA, Loprinzi CL, Sloan JA, Novotny PJ, Barton DL, Hagenmaier A, Zhang H, Lambert GH, Reeser KA, Wisbey JA.

Institution:

Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona 85259, USA.

Country of Institution:

United States

Source:

Cancer Invest. 2004;22(4):515-21.

Return to the "Menopause Articles page. "