More research on black cohosh and menopause

An isopropanolic extract of black cohosh root effectively relieves hot flashes and other climacteric complaints, especially in newly symptomatic women, according to a randomized, multicenter, double-blind clinical trial.

Researchers gave 304 women from 24 centers tablets corresponding to 40 mg drug or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Using the Menopause Rating Scale I, they found black cohosh to be more effective than placebo (P<0.001) depending on time from symptom onset (P=0.014) and FSH level (P=0.011), and to be particularly effective at relieving hot flushes (P=0.007), atrophy (P=0.012), and psychological symptoms (P=0.019).

Few, mild, and transient adverse events occurred, supporting previous findings indicating that black cohosh is a relatively harmless substance.