Product Review

Solaray Female Hormone Blend SP-7C Black Cohosh with Homeopathic Nutrients Black cohosh is a shrub-like plant native to the eastern deciduous forests of North America, ranging from southern Ontario to Georgia, north to Wisconsin and west to Arkansas. The dried root and rhizome are used medicinally. When harvested from the wild, the root is black in color. Cohosh, an Algonquin Indian word meaning "rough," refers to the plants gnarly root structure. Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies)Native Americans valued the herb and used it for many conditions, ranging from gynecological problems to rattlesnake bites. Some 19th century American physicians used black cohosh for fever, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and insomnia. Active Constituents Black cohosh contains several ingredients, including triterpene glycosides (for example, acetin and 27-deoxyactein) and isoflavones (for example, formononetin). Other constituents include aromatic acids, tannins, resins, fatty acids, starches, and sugars. As a woman approaches menopause, the signals between the ovaries and pituitary gland diminish, slowing down estrogen production and increasing luteinizing hormone (LH) secretions. Hot flashes can result from these hormonal changes. Earlier animal studies and a human clinical trial suggested that black cohosh had some estrogen activity in the body and also decreased LH secretions. However, more recent animal studies and a clinical trial have found no estrogen activity for black cohosh extracts. Further clinical trials are needed to determine whether black cohosh has significant estrogenic actions in the body. Small German clinical trials support the usefulness of black cohosh for women with hot flashes associated with menopause. A review of eight clinical trials found black cohosh to be both safe and effective for symptomatic relief of menopausal hot flashes.