Product Review

Black Cohosh vs Synthetic Hormones

In the U.S., where pharmaceutical companies make $8 billion a year on synthetic hormones, side effects from the therapy are increasing dramatically among menopausal women. Dr. John Lee, author of "What your Doctor May Not Tell You about Menopause", blames the increases on synthetic hormones. He says that the pharmaceutical companies are well aware of the problems. "The whole thing is madness," he says, "and it's driven by greed." A few simple and natural solutions can clear up the menopausal problems and eliminate the health risks associated with the synthetic hormones.

Herbalist Steven Foster refers to a study that compared the effects of conventional estrogen replacement therapy with black cohosh. That study looked at 60 women, younger than 40 years old, who had had complete hysterectomies and were experiencing abrupt menopause. In all groups, treatment with black cohosh compared favorably with conventional treatment. "Native Americans used the roots and rhizomes of this member of the buttercup family to treat kidney ailments, malaria, rheumatism, and sore throats. Early American settlers turned to it for bronchitis, dropsy, fever, hysteria and nervous disorders, lumbago, rattlesnake bites, and yellow fever. It's also reportedly well known for easing PMS and menstrual irregularities."

Recent publicity concerning the health risks of synthetic hormone replacement therapy has led many women to seek more natural solutions. And with good reason. In areas of the world where soy and other estrogenic plants are part of the diet, rates of hormone related problems are much lower and menopausal symptoms are almost non-existent. Synthetic hormone replacement is not common in areas where these plants are a natural part of the diet, because it is not needed.