Select an Online Manual
THE MERCK MANUAL MEDICAL LIBRARY: The Merck Manual of Medical Information--Home Edition
Tips for better results
ABCDEFGHI
JKLMNOPQR
STUVWXYZ
In This Topic
Black Cohosh
Back to Top

Section

Subject

Topics

Black Cohosh

Pronunciations

Black cohosh is a plant. The underground stem of this plant is available in powder, tablet, or liquid form.

Medicinal Claims: People most often take black cohosh for menopausal symptoms (such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, rapid heart rate, and vaginal dryness). People sometimes take black cohosh for arthritis, to induce labor, or to treat menstrual symptoms.

Scientific evidence regarding benefit in relieving menstrual symptoms is conflicting. There are few reliable data on its effectiveness for other disorders and symptoms.

Possible Side Effects: Side effects are uncommon. The most likely are headache and stomach discomfort. There is no evidence that black cohosh interferes with any drugs.

Black cohosh may cause headaches, dizziness, excessive sweating, nervous system problems, and vision disturbances (if high doses are taken). Other side effects include low blood pressure, constipation, loss of bone mass, muscle damage, digestive tract discomfort, liver toxicity, reduced pulse rate, nausea, and vomiting.

People who are sensitive to aspirin Some Trade Names
BAYER
or have a seizure disorder, liver disease, hormone-sensitive cancers (for example, certain kinds of breast cancer), stroke, or high blood pressure probably should not take black cohosh. The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) has recommended that black cohosh products should be labeled with a warning declaring that they may be toxic to the liver.

Last full review/revision February 2009 by Ara DerMarderosian, PhD

Back to Top

Previous: Introduction

Next: Chamomile

Audio
Figures
Photographs
Pronunciations
Tables
Videos