Black cohosh is one of the most well studied supplements for menopause. Known as both Actaea racemosa and Cimicifuga racemosa and also as black bugbane, black snakeroot and fairy candle. The roots and rhizomes have long been used medicinally by Native Americans who discovered that the root of the black cohosh plant helped relieve menstrual cramps and symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, irritability, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Extracts from these plant materials are thought to possess analgesic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory properties.Black cohosh is used today mainly as a dietary supplement for women as a remedy for the symptoms of premenstrual tension, perimenopause, and menopause as well as other gynecological problems. This has been especially true since the risks of a standard treatment for menopause -- hormone therapy -- were publicized more than a decade ago. It’s also used less commonly for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), painful menstruation, acne, weakened bones (osteoporosis), and for starting labor in pregnant women. Estrogen is the primary sex hormone in a woman's body. Estrogen helps to control the menstrual cycle and plays a number of other functions in the body. The compounds in black cohosh that work similarly to estrogen can supplement natural estrogen in the body, leading to an improved hormonal balance. As a result, it is recommend to women suffering from premenstrual syndrome and other conditions related to estrogen imbalance.
