NATURE'S ANSWER BLACK COHOSH ROOT EXTRACT 1 fl oz

NATURE'S ANSWER BLACK COHOSH ROOT EXTRACT 1 fl oz FEMALE HORMONAL BALANCE Black Cohosh Root Extract (Cimicifuga racemosa) 1 fl oz Alcohol Free Black Cohosh has a long history of use among Native Americans, primarily for female needs, but also for cold and flu, indigestion, hysteria and pain. Black Cohosh has been shown in numerous studies to be both safe and effective, and is widely used in Europe and the US to relieve the symptoms commonly associated with PMS and menopause (particularly hot flashes, menstrual cramps, changes to the vaginal lining and even depression). The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends black cohosh for 'Premenstrual discomfort, dysmenorrhea or climacteric [menopausal] neurovegetative ailments.' 'Side Effects: Occasionally, gastric discomfort.' 'Daily dosage: Extracts with alcohol 40 - 60 percent (v/v) corresponding to 40 mg of drug. Mode of Administration: Galenical preparations for internal use. Duration of Administration: Not longer than 6 months. Actions: Estrogen-like action; Luteinizing hormone suppression; Binding to estrogen receptors.' Hot flashes are hormonal imbalances caused during menopause when the signals between the ovaries and pituitary gland diminish. This decreases estrogen production and increases the production of luteinizing hormone (LH). A recent German clinical study demonstrated that an extract of black cohosh decreases LH secretions in menopausal women – but produces no hormonal changes. The studies, therefore, support the usefulness of black cohosh for symptomatic relief from hot flashes, but not as a substitute for hormone replacement therapy. The extract of this plant is sold in great quantities in the US and Europe under the trade name Remifemin. Results of tests comparing Remifemin to combination treatment with estrogens and diazepam have shown treatment with Remifemin to be superior as measured by the Kupperman Menopausal Index. Other tests such as the Self-evaluation For Depression Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Inventory, and the Clinical Global Impression Scale--all recognized and trusted measures of clinical efficacy--have been used in studies evaluating the performance of Black Cohosh extract. Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal' : 'Astringent, emmenagogue, diuretic, alterative, expectorant. The root of this plant is much used in America in many disorders, and is supposed to be an antidote against poison and the bite of the rattlesnake. The fresh root, dug in October, is used to make a tincture.' 'In small doses, it is useful in children's diarrhoea.' 'In the paroxyms of consumption, it gives relief by allaying the cough, reducing the rapidity of the pulse and inducing perspiration. In whooping-cough, it proves very effective.' 'The infusion and decoction have been given with success in rheumatism.' 'In infantile disorders, it is given in the form of syrup. It is said to be a specific in St. Vitus' Dance of children. Overdoses produce nausea and vomiting.' Preparations: Fluid extract, U.S.P., 15 to 30 drops. Fluid extract, B.P., 5 to 30 drops. Tincture, U.S.P., 1 drachm. Tincture, B.P., 15 to 60 drops. Cimicifugin, 1 to 6 grains. Powdered extract, U.S.P., 4 grains.' King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Cimicifuga has several common names, as snakeroot and rattleroot, having been used to cure rattlesnake bites; rattleweed, from the fact that the seeds remaining in the pods through a part of the winter, rattle when blown by the winds, squawroot, a name more properly belonging to blue cohosh; and its pharmacopoeial name, black snakeroot. The name macrotys, adopted by some Eclectics, is an erroneous one, given by De Candolle, the celebrated French botanist. The proper word is macrotrys, from two Greek words meaning a large bunch, referring to its large raceme of fruit. Cimicifuga, its present botanical name, is derived from cimex (bedbug), and fugare (to drive away), the European species having been used as a bug exterminator. The drug is best known to the members of our school as MACROTYS.' 'This is a very active, powerful, and useful remedy, and appears to fulfil a great number of indications. It possesses an undoubted influence over the nervous system. In small doses the appetite and digestion are improved, and larger amounts augment the secretions of the gastro-intestinal tract.' 'Upon the reproductive organs it exerts a specific influence, promoting the menstrual discharge, and by its power of increasing contractility of the unstriped fibres of the uterus, it acts as an efficient parturient. The venereal propensity in man is said to be stimulated by cimicifuga.' 'Few of our remedies have acquired as great a reputation in the treatment of rheumatism and neuralgia... Indeed, few cases of rheumatism, or conditions depending upon a rheumatic basis, will present, which will not be influenced for the better by macrotys.' 'Macrotys plays a very important part in the therapeutics of gynaecology. It is a remedy for atony of the reproductive tract. In the painful conditions incident to imperfect menstruation. its remedial action is fully displayed. By its special affinity for the female reproductive organs, it is an efficient agent for the restoration of suppressed menses. It is even a better remedy in that variety of amenorrhoea termed 'absentio mensium.' In dysmenorrhoea it is surpassed by no other drug, being of greatest utility in irritative and congestive conditions of the uterus and appendages, characterized by tensive, dragging pains, resembling the pains of rheumatism.' 'It is a good remedy for the reflex 'side-aches' of the unmarried woman; also for mastitis and mastodynia. It should be remembered in rheumatism of the uterus, and in uterine leucorrhoea, with a flabby condition of the viscus, its effects are decided. When there is a disordered action or lack of functional power in the uterus, giving rise to sterility, cimicifuga often corrects the impaired condition and cures. Reflex mammary pains during gestation are met by it, and in rheumatic subjects it promptly relieves such ovarian troubles as ovarialgia and neuralgia, the pain being of an aching character. Orchialgia and aching sensations of the prostate are conditions calling for macrotys, and as a tonic it is not without good effects in spematorrhoea.' 'Macrotys has proved a better agent in obstetrical practice than ergot. It produces natural intermittent uterine contractions, whereas ergot produces constant contractions, thereby endangering the life of the child, or rupture of the uterus. Where the pains are inefficient, feeble, or irregular, macrotys will stimulate to normal action. It is an excellent 'partus praeparator' if given for several weeks before confinement. It is a diagnostic agent to differentiate between spurious and true labor plains, the latter being increased, while the former are dissipated under its use. It is the best and safest agent known for the relief of after-pains, and is effectual in allaying the general excitement of the nervous system after labor.' 'Macrotys exerts a powerful influence over the nervous system, and has long been favorably known as a remedy for chorea. It may be used alone or with specific valerian, equal parts. It is particularly useful here when associated with amenorrhoea, or when the menstrual function fails to act for the first time. Its action is slow, but its effects are permanent. It has been used successfully as an antispasmodic in hysteria, epilepsy when due to menstrual failures, asthma and kindred affections, periodical convulsions, nervous excitability, pertussis, delirium tremens, and many other spasmodic affections.' 'Cimicifuga exerts a tonic influence over both the serous and mucous tissues of the system, and will be found a superior remedy in the majority of chronic diseases of these parts. In all cases where a acidity of the stomach is present, this should first be removed, or some mild alkaline preparation be administered in conjunction with the remedy, before any beneficial change will ensue. As a remedy for pain, macrotys is a very prompt agent, often relieving in a few hours, painful conditions that have existed for a long time.' 'The saturated tincture of the root is recommended as a valuable embrocation in all cases where a stimulant, tonic, anodyne, and alterative combined is required...' 'Cimicifugin, whose action differs somewhat from macrotys, was used by Prof. King in the treatment of 'chronic ovaritis, endometritis, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea menorrhagia, frigidity, sterility, threatened abortion, uterine subinvolution, and to relieve severe after-pains.' 'As a partus accelerator, it may be substituted for, and should be preferred to, ergot; ½ drachm of the powdered root may be given in warm water every 15 or 20 minutes, until the expulsive action of the uterus is induced, and which it seldom fails to bring on speedily and powerfully. The powder, however, is seldom now used, the specific macrotys in from 15 drops to ½ fluid drachm being given in the same manner. In acute troubles, as acute muscular rheumatism, and in false pains, and as an oxytocic, Webster prefers the strong decoction of the recent root in tablespoonful doses.' 'The fluid extract of black cohosh may be used in all cases where the article is indicated; its dose is from ½ fluid drachm to 2 fluid drachms. The ordinary dose of macrotys for its specific effects is a teaspoonful of a mixture of from 10 drops to 1 drachm of specific macrotys in 4 ounces of water, the larger or smaller dose being determined by the condition of the patient.' American Materia Medica, 1919 (Ellingwood): 'In the premonitory stage of acute fevers, or of acute inflammatory troubles of whatever character, a common symptom is a general tired feeling with aching of the muscles. In these cases there is usually a chill or chilliness, with more or less fever with the aching. One drop of the tincture of cimicifuga every hour will relieve this aching in from six to twelve hours. If given with aconite for the fever and belladonna for the rigors, the time may be reduced to three or four hours. When indicated, its influence upon the nervous system will probably abridge many of the other symptoms.' 'Through its influence upon the vasomotor centers and upon the nerve ganglia, it has a beneficial influence upon the heart. In rheumatic carditis or pericarditis it is a sovereign remedy acting directly in the line of its physiological influence. In neuralgia of the heart—angina pectoris and functional irregularity of the heart from exalted nerve influence, either alone or combined with gelsemium, it is prompt and reliable, and should be by no means neglected.; 'Prof. King advised this agent in coughs, and its value through its influence upon the nerve centers has been confirmed by many practitioners. It soothes the cough of excessive nerve irritation, and the reflex cough; the irritable cough of acute bronchitis is relieved by it, as it increases bronchial secretions to a notable extent.' 'A homeopathic writer says that in pleurisy, there are often strong indications for cimicifuga where it works in harmony with aconite and bryonia. This is our own experience.' 'It is given by many as a stomachic tonic, and it improves digestion by relieving excess of nerve influence over the functional operations of the digestive apparatus.' 'As a remedy for chorea it has become widely popular. Given in fifteendrop doses of the tincture four or five times daily, it is superior to any other known remedy. Its effects are permanent if the anemia and other concomitant conditions are correctly controlled by proper medication at the same time. Its sedative, tonic and antispasmodic influences are here fully exercised.' 'It may be combined with scutellaria lateriflora, with valerian or gelsemium, as the indications demand, with superb results. The writer has aired intractable cases by alternating it with minute doses of exalgine.' 'The characteristic aching pains above described are very constant in acute rheumatism and rheumatic fevers. Cimicifuga is certainly a royal remedy in these cases, and has become universally popular. If the condition be absolutely confined to the joint and does not involve muscular structure, it is not of as much value. The direct indications must be present.' 'The agent, however, has a specific influence in overcoming lithemia and in preventing and curing conditions resulting from an excess of uric acid conditions existing in the uric acid diathesis. It is therefore of value with auxiliary treatment in acute or subacute rheumatic arthritis with lithemia.' 'It will be found indicated in rheumatic neuralgia, in sciatica, in muscular rheumatism of the chest walls, in achings of the deep muscles of the back, in myalgia, in severe colds, in neuralgia from cold, in rheumatic headache, and in neuralgia of the ovaries; also with women in the intense muscular aching preceding the menses.' 'Cimicifuga operates directly upon the reproductive functions. In the female it is valuable as above indicated, in dysmenorrhea of a congestive character always, and in amenorrhea. In these cases aconite will aid its action greatly, if the condition be induced by sudden cold; and pulsatilla will do likewise if the conditions be caused by nervous shock or functional irregularity extending over a longer period. Helonias may be given with it, if there be weight and dragging in the lower abdominal region. If leucorrhea be present with the above indications, it is especially valuable. It is valuable to promote uterine contractions, and in subinvolution. In the aggravating rheumatic pains of parturition, or of the later stages of pregnancy, which deceive by closely simulating those of labor in some ladies of rheumatic diathesis, this is positive and prompt.' 'In hysterical conditions of the menstrual epoch, in hypochondriasis or melancholia at these times, with congestive dysmenorrhea with the above indications, it is specific. In puerperal hysteria with great nervous excitement and the above conditions, or with excitable mania or incipient puerperal insanity, it is a most efficient remedy, having a desirable sedative influence on the nerves of the womb.' 'The agent is excellent in relieving irregular pains and uterine distress occurring during the course of pregnancy. It may be given in small doses, and it thus prepares the patient for parturition and undoubtedly contributes largely to a short, easy and uncomplicated labor. The agent, either as the fluid extract, or from two to five grains of the resinoid, is a most efficient partus accelerator. It increases the expulsive pains in a regularly intermittent and normal manner, without spasmodic irritation. While the normal pains are increased, all erratic, rheumatic, irregular and nagging pains are relieved. It promotes uterine involution and hastens normal recovery.' 'Knox observed the action of this remedy as a partus preparator in a hundred and sixty cases. His observations, summed up, are that the remedy has a positive sedative influence upon the parturient women, quieting reflex irritability, nausea, pruritis and insomnia. It has a positive anti-spasmodic effect, correcting neuralgic cramps, and irregular pains of the first stage of labor, sometimes terminating the labor precipitately, if given in too large doses, often without prodomic symptoms.' 'It relieves undue irritation of the uterine muscular fiber, relaxes the soft parts of the parturient canal, and thus facilitates labor and diminishes the risks of laceration by controlling undue irritability of the muscular fiber.' 'It maintains a better contraction of the uterus after delivery, but for this purpose he administers a special dose of thirty minims of the fluid extract after the birth of the fetal head. It was his habit in using this remedy for its preparatory effects, to give fifteen minims, at the time of retiring each night, for six weeks prior to confinement.' 'In six cases where Dr. Coffin used this remedy for the above purpose, there was postpartum hemorrhage, and this caused the doctor to question whether or not the agent had such a relaxing influence, as he was not in the habit of giving either this or any other remedy to anticipate such hemorrhage. Others deny this influence. I have never observed it.' 'The elder Adolphus, treated ophthalmia with this remedy, especially when there was severe pain. He gave it in from two to five drop doses, every four hours, day and night. He claimed that in one severe epidemic it did not fail to cure. In the severe cases, he applied it externally, as well as administering it internally. In those cases where there was much nervous irritability, he combined it with gelsemium, which he was confident enhanced its influence.' 'In the male it is valuable in gonorrhea, with aching, in the bladder and across the kidneys. We prescribe it oftener than any other agent in these cases. It soothes the nervous irritability and materially assists in relieving the active inflammation. We usually find indications for aconite in the acute cases, or gelsemium where there is irritation with a tendency to spasmodic stricture, or hydrangea where there are sharp, cutting pains in urination; and these properly combined have been our ''sure cure'' treatment for many years, with mild injections of zinc sulphate, hydrastine, or hydrogen peroxide, all warm, or of warm water alone. It is valuable also in orchitis with its own indications. In spermatorrhea with irritability and considerable sexual weakness and plethora, it will cure when other agents fail, if given in half-dram doses after meals.' Clinical Trials Eight botanical preparations that are commonly used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms were tested for estrogenic activity. These data suggest a potential use for some dietary supplements, ingested by human beings, in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Liu 2001 Review of 8 human studies on the effectiveness of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) for the symptoms of menopause. Study concludes it is a safe and effective alternative to estrogen Lieberman 1998 These studies show good therapeutic efficacy for menopausal symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, profuse sweating, sleep disturbances, depressive moods) and tolerability profiles for Cimicifuga racemosa. Liske 1998 Menopausal women taking Cimicifuga ethanol extract for 8 weeks had lower LH & unchanged FSH. Fractions tested showed both competitive binding at estrogen receptors and reduction of LH secretion in ovariectomized rats. Duker 1991 LH suppressive effect of Cimicifuga racemosa in menopausal women and ovx rats caused by three different compounds, non ligands for the estrogen receptor that suppress LH, ligands for the estrogen receptor that suppress LH and ligands for the estrogen receptor that don't suppress LH. Duker 1991 60 hysterectomy menopausal women randomized to Cimicifuga or 3 types of estrogen all had lower Kupperman-Index but no significant differences in serum FSH & LH. Lehmann-Willenbrock 1988 This Phase I study will assess the pharmacokinetics (drug toxicity, absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination data) of two botanicals, Trifolium pratense and Cimicifuga racemosa. Participants receive a single dose of one botanical preparation. ClinicalTrials.gov Observational Studies/Case Reports Of the certified nurse-midwives (CNM) who used herbal preparations to stimulate labor, 64% used blue cohosh, 45% used black cohosh, 63% used red raspberry leaf, 93% used castor oil, and 60% used evening primrose oil. McFarlin 1999 'Black and blue cohosh in labour' (no abstract). Baillie 1997 'The use of black and blue cohosh in labour' (no abstract). Gunn 1996 Recommendations: As a dietary supplement take ½-1mL (approx. 14-28 drops, or ½ to 1 dropperful) 2 times a day. Botanical Name: Cimicifuga racemosa Ingredients: Each serving contains: Black Cohosh root extract 100mg Guaranteed to contain a minimum of 2mg of triterpene glycosides as 27-deoxyactein. in a base of coconut glycerin and triple filtered water. Safety Info: Does Not Contain lactose, sugar, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, egg, dairy products, artificial flavoring or preservatives. All herbs are Certified Organic. Item # 215760 Price $13.80