The safety of black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa).
Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa/Cimicifuga racemosa) is a North American perennial plant that has been used for traditional medicinal purposes by the native Indian population. Its modern day application is the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Unlike conventional non-herbal medications, herbal preparations have not been systematically evaluated for their safety. However, the evidence from in vitro, animal and clinical studies all suggest that black cohosh is a safe herbal therapy for menopausal women if taken for a limited period. More research is needed to evaluate the safety of this herb over longer periods of time, and also to further investigate its mechanism of action.
Huntley
Alyson
A
Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, 25 Victoria Park Road, Exeter, EX2 4NT, UK. alyson.huntley@pms.ac.uk
D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D000818:Animals; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D031885:Cimicifuga / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000075202:Contraindications; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004357:Drug Synergism; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004967:Estrogens; D005260:Female; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000209:etiology; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000188:drug therapy; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D051381:Rats; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D004967:Estrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators