Black Cohosh is an herb that has become synonymous with treating PMS and menopause symptoms, and is now a popular alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Hormones can begin plaguing a woman not long after she reaches her teens. Young women use pain killers and heating pads for relief, but when menopause symptoms begin, women need something more. From hot flashes to breast pain and cramping, women have suffered for centuries. Recently, HRT has been used to alleviate these ailments, but research has shown that the side effects are often worse than the cure. Using Black Cohosh as a dietary supplement has proven to be a liberating alternative.

Native Americans were the first to use the Black Cohosh root. The plant is tall and flowering, similar to the goldenrod, but the flowers are white. Also known as squawroot or black snakeroot, Black Cohosh is a member of the buttercup family. Native Americans discovered that the Black Cohosh root could be used as a healing herb for maladies such as malaria, rheumatism, sore throats, colds, constipation, hives, backaches, and to induce lactation. In the 1800s, early Americans used Black Cohosh as a home remedy for fevers and to bring on menstruation; it was even thought to prevent miscarriage and minimize labor pains.

Modern research has shown that while it does not cure anything, Black Cohosh treats the unpleasant symptoms of PMS and menopause such as depression and minor aches and pains. Black Cohosh actually balances out luteinizing hormone levels and serves as a mild anti-inflammatory. Research has also shown that Black Cohosh is a mild sedative and decongestant.

In recent years, women have found Black Cohosh to be a natural treatment for the symptoms of PMS and menopause. Studies are still relatively new, but according to Stanley M. Cohen, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, Black Cohosh can possibly cause the immune system to attack the liver. This is extremely rare, but women should tell their doctors if they are taking Black Cohosh, and ask for a liver function test.

With your doctor's approval, Black Cohosh is worth considering as an alternative to HRT. Many women have found relief and better quality of life after taking Black Cohosh. When choosing a supplement, the standardized extract is recommended; this ensures that it includes the necessary ingredients for maximum benefit. Black Cohosh might interfere with oral contraceptives and other medications, and unless directed by a doctor, women who are pregnant or nursing are advised not to take Black Cohosh.