Thursday, January 21, 2010

Black Cohosh - An Alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy

From the article "Black Cohosh - A Woman's Ally" by Linsay Wilson


Hot flashes, night sweats, and severe mood swings are, for many women, the most common symptoms associated with menopause, and until recently hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was the most common conventional treatment. But since a landmark 2002 study linked synthetic HRT to serious health risks, including an increased risk in breast cancer, stroke, and heart attack, more women and their healthcare practitioners have turned to safer, natural alternatives to manage menopause. Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa), a North American herb traditionally used by Native Americans to address gynecologic disorders, has become a star among herbal remedies for treating menopausal symptoms.
Numerous clinical studies, largely conducted on the product Remifemin, which contains a standardized extract of black cohosh, have confirmed the effectiveness of the herb in reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. As with any herb, black cohosh is not a cure-all, but for those women who responded to the herb, they responded extremely well.

Read more here at Natural Grocers.