Cohosh Side Effects

Throughout history, black cohosh has been prized by women suffering symptoms of menopause or menstruation. It was also once a popular herb used during childbirth. However, it is not an herb to take without care or supervision. There are possible side effects, and if it is taken too soon during pregnancy it can have serious negative consequences on an unborn child.

History

• Black cohosh grows the along the edge of forests in eastern parts of North America. The plant is also cultivated in Europe. The roots and dried rhizome are used medicinally. The plant is a member of the buttercup family and bears white flowers. Peter Smith introduced blue cohosh to medicine in 1813. The herb was previously used by the Indians for sore throats, cramps, inflammation in the uterus, and colic. Women drank the tea a few weeks before their expected date of delivery so they would have a speedy and easy delivery.

Uses

• Black cohosh is considered a woman's herb because it helps to relieve symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis. The herb also stimulates contractions during childbirth. It was a popular herb among the Alonquin Native American tribes, who originally gave the herb its current name. The tribe used the herb during childbirth and to relieve menstrual pain. Native Americans also used the root of cohosh as a contraceptive. Blue cohosh has the same effects. Extracts or large doses of cohosh can abort pregnancy.

Side Effects

• According to an study published in the August 2002 issues of Veterinary and Human Toxicology, blue cohosh can cause nicotinic toxicity when used to induce abortions. Symptoms of nicotinic toxicity include vomiting, muscle weakness and abdominal pain. Cohosh can cause a premature birth or miscarriage if used during pregnancy, even without the high doses typically used to cause and abortions. The herb can also cause nausea, vomiting or hypertension. The herb should not be taken with sedatives, anesthetics or anti-hypertensive medications. The herb should also be used with estrogen supplements because of its estrogen-like properties.

Hormone Therapy

• A case report published in Vol. 11 Issue 5 of the journal "Menopause" warns that cohosh can trigger autoimmune hepatitis. The study recommends closely monitoring women who take the herb, because of this possible effect. Many women are using cohosh as a replacement for hormone therapy for menopause symptoms because of the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. Another study, published in Vol. 10 Issue 1 of "Menopause," reported that if black cohosh is taken for short periods, there is only a slight risk of adverse effects that would be mild and reversible. It also concluded that serious adverse effects were rare, and that cohosh was considered a safe herbal medicine.

Dosage

• Traditional preparations used a decoction of .5 to 1g of the dried root in a decoction or tincture. Cohosh is available in many prepared supplements such as Remifemin. Remifemin is a German made tablet or liquid extract distributed by GlaxoSmithKline to the United States. Most supplements suggest 20mg be taken two times a day. However, dosages may vary with each different supplement. High doses or extracts may cause negative side effects, especially during pregnancy.