BLACK COHOSH
Black cohosh is scientifically known as Actaea racemosa. It mainly grows in North America. It is a herbaceous and perennial smooth plant that has wide compound leaves. This plant is used by inhabitants of North America to cure disorders like sore throats as well as gynecological problems, kidney issues and even depression. Black cohosh is mainly taken by ladies as a diet supplement for remedies of signs of premenstrual tension, menopause and other gynecological issues.
However, the use of cohosh is controversial in that it has side effects like physical pathways that are seen in age related disorders such as osteoporosis. It is also said to be ineffective in treating menopausal hot flashes. When black cohosh is administered simultaneously with another commercial drug it produces no estrogenic influence on breasts. It is not yet known what are the long term effects of using black cohosh, but it is thought to cause liver defects. The drug also has side effects that include; dizziness, diarrhea, sweating, constipation, vomiting, nausea weight issues, slow heartbeats and blood pressure.
Women who pass their menopause always have low estrogen levels but have higher levels of the Luteinizing hormone (LH) and the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) as compared to ladies who are still menstruating. Black cohosh has no influence on estrogen receptors and to a small extend enhances the development of cancer causing cells. For women who are past menopause and take cohosh, experience estrogenic changes in their epithelium of the vagina. Menopause is said to cause thinning of uterine linings. Such a study done on mice, it showed that when the mice were administered with cohosh, they had an increase in uterine walls. There has also been cases of neurological problems in a baby after labor was induced using the herb.
References
Craker, L. E., & Simon, J. E. (2006). Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants: Recent Advances in Botany, Horticulture, and Pharmacology (revised ed.). London: Routledge.
Yaniv, Z., & Bachrach, U. (2005). Handbook of medicinal plants (illustrated ed.). London: Routledge.
