Black Cohosh

Cimicifuga racemosa

Obtained from the root of the plant, black cohosh is used as a dietary supplement to relieve symptoms of menopause and dysmenorrhea. Preliminary data suggest it has antiosteoporotic effects (8) and enhances bone formation (9). Black cohosh by itself (2) (3) or in combination with other herbs (4) (5) may be effective for menopausal symptoms, although data are conflicting (6) (31) (32) (36) (45) and an older meta analysis cited insufficient evidence to support its use (40). However, a more recent meta-analysis found isopropanolic black cohosh extract, an herbal medicinal product widely used in the EU as nonhormonal therapy, is comparable to low-dose transdermal estradiol or tibolone with a better benefit-risk profile than tibolone (62).