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| Botanical name |
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| Actions |
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Black Cohosh has a long traditional use for female complaints. It has oestrogen modulating activity in the body and has the capacity to calm the uterus or stimulate contractions in pregnancy. It exerts antispasmodic and antiinflammatory actions throughout the body and is a sedative and nerve tonic. |
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| Conditions commonly used for |
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- Premenstrual abdominal pain and dysmenorrhoea
- Menopausal symptoms including depression, anxiety, hot flushes, ringing in the ears, headache, vaginal dryness, vertigo, palpitations and insomnia
- Arthritis (both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis)
- Muscular and nerve pain
- Nervous conditions
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| Common dosage range |
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- Whole powdered herb (as capsule or tablet), 40 mg per day
- For commercially available standardised concentrated products containing Black Cohosh follow the dosing instructions on the product labelling.
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| Cautions, Contraindications and Side Effects |
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- Mild gastrointestinal symptoms are the most common side effects. They include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Other side effects include dizziness, visual dimness, headaches, tremors, joint pain, and slow heart beat.
- Black Cohosh is contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding and children.
- The botanical is appropriate for patients not suited for HRT including those with a history of breast cancer, unexplained uterine bleeding, liver and gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and fibrocystic breast disease.
- Although Black Cohosh reportedly possesses oestrogenic properties, no clinically significant interactions between it and conventional medications (including hormone replacement therapies) have been reported in the literature to date.
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| Links & Other Information |
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It is not within the scope of the YourHealth website to provide comprehensive information on documented or potential herb-drug interactions. Please seek the advice of your healthcare practitioner.
Contact YourHealth for referenced material regarding this herb, any conditions or therapies mentioned.
A Medical Practitioner specialising in Integrative Medicine, a qualified Nutritionist or Naturopath will be well trained in the use of nutrients, including their proper dosage, contraindications and potential drug interactions. Although many herbal remedies are available over the counter, self-prescribing is not recommended except for minor ailments, and best results will be obtained by seeking the advice of a qualified herbal medicine practitioner. Any plant substance, even those that are used as foods, can cause an allergic reaction in some people. |
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