Can Black Cohosh Really Raise Estrogen Levels During Menopause?
Black cohosh has become increasingly popular as a remedy to combat menopause symptoms, although in reality, little is known about its effects. The herb is thought to be effective in raising levels of estrogen during a woman's menopausal years. It contains phytoestrogen, a natural substance which mimics estrogen when introduced into the body.
During menopause, when estrogen levels are low, it is thought that black cohosh can supplement estrogen, in effect increasing the body's level of estrogen to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
However, there are some arguments that contest this theory. Read on to learn more about the arguments and studies that have been done to find out if black cohosh really does raise estrogen levels during menopause.
Black Cohosh Can Raise Estrogen Levels During Menopause
There is some evidence to suggest that black cohosh can raise estrogen levels:
1. In traditional medicine, black cohosh has been used to treat gynecological problems and childbirth recovery.
2. The German report by Stengler shows that one study of 131 doctors and 629 female patients revealed that a standardized extract of black cohosh alleviated menopausal symptoms in over 80 percent of the patients within six to eight weeks.
3. Author Michael Castleman records in his book The New Healing Herbs, that between 1982 and 1991, black cohosh was tested on nearly 1,200 women in Germany. Allegedly, in all trials, participants experienced briefer hot flashes, less vaginal dryness, an improved mood and relief from fatigue.
Black Cohosh Cannot Raise Estrogen Levels During Menopause
However, other studies suggest that black cohosh does not raise women's estrogen levels during menopause.
1. In 1986, and FDA report warned of the potentially hazardous side effects of black cohosh.
2. An article in American Family Physician which reviewed recent studies on black cohosh concluded that the herb had little or no estrogenic effects.
3. Research published in 2003 by the University of Maryland Medical Center in the International Journal of Oncology found that black cohosh didn't register on several different estrogen measurement scales.
What�s the Verdict on Black Cohosh?
At this stage in the study of natural menopausal treatments, it is impossible to conclude whether or not black cohosh really does raise estrogen levels during menopause. Every woman's body responds differently to herbal remedies, so you may find that black cohosh works well to combat your menopausal symptoms, while it might not for someone else. Click here for more information on black cohosh, and other herbal remedies that might help ease menopausal symptoms
