Black Cohosh

[dixiedad]

Anyone taking this for ADT hot flashes?

[CAMPSOUPS]

Best to discuss hot flashes with your Medical Oncologist.Also enter "hot flash" into the search pane here and you will find good information on reliable researched, safe drugs.

Use as medicine

Native Americans used black cohosh to treat gynecological and other disorders.[2][6][8] Following the arrival of European settlers in the U.S. who continued the use of black cohosh, the plant appeared in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia under the name "black snakeroot".[2] In the 19th century, the root was used to treat snakebite, inflamed lungs, and pain from childbirth.[9]

Black cohosh is used as a dietary supplement marketed mainly to women for treating gynecological problems,[6][10] but there is no high-quality scientific evidence to support such uses.[8][4][11]

Safety and health concerns

Rigorous studies on the long-term safety of using black cohosh, and its safety as a traditional medicine or dietary supplement, have not been published,[2][8][4] mainly because most black cohosh materials are harvested from the wild with lack of proper authentication and adulteration of commercial preparations by other plant species.[6][12] High doses of black cohosh may cause nausea, dizziness, visual effects, a lower heart rate, and increased perspiration.[8]

Worldwide, some 83 cases of liver damage, including hepatitis, liver failure, and elevated liver enzymes, have been associated with using black cohosh, although a cause-and-effect relationship remains undefined.[2] Women have taken black cohosh without reporting adverse health effects,[4] and a meta-analysis of clinical trials found no evidence that black cohosh preparations had adverse effects on liver function.[13] According to Cancer Research UK: "Doctors are worried that using black cohosh long term may cause thickening of the womb lining. This could lead to an increased risk of womb cancer." They also caution that people with liver problems should not take it as it can damage the liver,[4][14] although a 2011 meta-analysis of research evidence suggested this concern may be unfounded.[13] In 2007, the Australian Government warned that black cohosh may cause liver damage, although rarely, and should not be used without medical supervision.[15] Other studies concluded that liver damage from use of black cohosh is unlikely.[16]

Phytochemicals

Black cohosh contains diverse phytochemicals, such as polyphenols[17][18] and estrogen-like compounds (isoflavones) implicated in effects of black cohosh extracts on hot flashes in menopausal women, although there is no effect confirmed by high-quality clinical research.[4][8][19]

[bean1008]

My MO advised me against taking any supplements. But it would sure be nice to find something that helped with those hot flashes!

[Murk in reply to bean1008]

What is the logic given to you for not taking any supplements which many are vitamins which the body needs to replenish etc??

[bean1008 in reply to Murk]

Vitamins are fine…and extra vitamin D…and I take a calcium supplement as well. No extra C or E….just what’s in a multivitamin. He just doesn’t want me taking things that haven’t been studied or proven to be beneficial or could be harmful.