American Botanical Council releases scientific information on black cohosh.(menopause treatment)

2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The American Botanical Council (ABC), an independent nonprofit organization, is making available to the public, a monograph or scientific review of the health benefits of a leading herb used by many women to treat symptoms of menopause.

The herb, black cohosh, known by its Latin names Actaea racemosa and Cimicifuga racemosa, is a native American herb with a long history of use. Black cohosh was used by Native Americans for "female problems," and was a major ingredient in Lydia Pinkham's famous women's tonic, sold for more than 50 years in the 19th century.

A special formulation of black cohosh was developed in the early 1940s in Germany as a natural agent for treating menstrual and menopausal symptoms.

This herbal preparation has been used in the majority of the clinical trials that have been conducted. These studies support its safety and efficacy for treating the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, irritability, and occasional sleeplessness associated with menopause.

The product studied in most of the trials has been used in Germany since the mid 1950s and is currently marketed in the U.S. under the name RemiFemin Menopause. The German government's Commission E, a special committee of physicians, pharmacists, and other scientific experts to evaluate and approve herbs, has approved black cohosh as a nonprescription medicine for treatment of various symptoms associated with menopause.

"As researchers, healthcare providers, and ...