title: Efficacy of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) medicines for treatment of menopausal symptoms - comments on major statements of the Cochrane Collaboration report 2012 "black cohosh (Cimicifuga spp.) for menopausal symptoms (review)".
abstract: Menopausal symptoms management with high-quality plant extracts from Actaea (Cimicifuga. racemosa rootstock is well-established. Efficacy and safety are supported by research and clinical trials since several decades and backed up by official monographs. However, the recent published Cochrane review on black cohosh neglects major evidence for beneficial effects. The authors' negative conclusions are questionable and call for reply and clarification. Our careful reconsideration of all appropriate placebo-controlled clinical studies reveals a standardized mean difference of 0.385 in favor of black cohosh (p < 0.0001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Naturopathy, Blankenstein Hospital, Ruhr-Universität Bochum , Hattingen , Germany .
authors.forename: André-M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.forename: Rüdiger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Osmers
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schnitker
authors.forename: Wenpei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Alfred O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Mueck
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meden
mesh_terms: D031885:Cimicifuga / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts