Black Cohosh

Complementary therapies for management of menopausal symptoms: a systematic review to inform the update of the International Menopause Society recommendations on women's midlife health.

Maunder A, Mardon AK, Rao V, Torkel S, Metri NJ, Liu J · Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society · 2026

Menopausal hormone therapy is standard treatment, but some women use complementary therapies. This review examines complementary therapies for menopause to inform International Menopause Society (IMS) recommendations. A systematic search of six databases (January 2022-December 2024) identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews on complementary therapies for menopause. Outcomes included menopausal, vasomotor, genitourinary, cardiometabolic, sleep symptoms, bone health and safety. The study quality and certainty of evidence were evaluated using Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB2), A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR 2) and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). From 3187 citations, 158 studies were included: one overview, 36 meta-analyses, seven systematic reviews and 114 RCTs. While promising evidence was found for acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), herbs, nutrients, mind-body/touch therapies for a va

Herbal medicine for depression and anxiety: A systematic review with assessment of potential psycho-oncologic relevance.

Yeung KS, Hernandez M, Mao JJ, Haviland I, Gubili J · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2018

Anxiety and depression are prevalent among cancer patients, with significant negative impact. Many patients prefer herbs for symptom relief to conventional medications which have limited efficacy/side effects. We identified single-herb medicines that may warrant further study in cancer patients. Our search included PubMed, Allied and Complementary Medicine, Embase, and Cochrane databases, selecting only single-herb randomized controlled trials between 1996 and 2016 in any population for data extraction, excluding herbs with known potential for interactions with cancer treatments. One hundred articles involving 38 botanicals met our criteria. Among herbs most studied (≥6 randomized controlled trials each), lavender, passionflower, and saffron produced benefits comparable to standard anxiolytics and antidepressants. Black cohosh, chamomile, and chasteberry are also promising. Anxiety or depressive symptoms were measured in all studies, but not always as primary endpoints. Overall,

Hormone Therapy and Other Treatments for Symptoms of Menopause.

Hill DA, Crider M, Hill SR · American family physician · 2016

The results of large clinical trials have led physicians and patients to question the safety of hormone therapy for menopause. In the past, physicians prescribed hormone therapy to improve overall health and prevent cardiac disease, as well as for symptoms of menopause. Combined estrogen/progestogen therapy, but not estrogen alone, increases the risk of breast cancer when used for more than three to five years. Therefore, in women with a uterus, it is recommended that physicians prescribe combination therapy only to treat menopausal symptoms such as vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) and vaginal atrophy, using the smallest effective dosage for the shortest possible duration. Although estrogen is the most effective treatment for hot flashes, nonhormonal alternatives such as low-dose paroxetine, venlafaxine, and gabapentin are effective alternatives. Women with a uterus who are using estrogen should also take a progestogen to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. Women who cannot tolerate

Assessing the combined effects of Black Cohosh, Soy Isoflavones, and SDG Lignans on menopausal symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Pokushalov E, Ponomarenko A, Garcia C, Kasimova L, Pak I, Shrainer E · European journal of nutrition · 2025 · n=90

This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Black Cohosh, Soy Isoflavones, and SDG Lignans in alleviating menopausal symptoms compared to a placebo. Ninety-six postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years were enrolled. Participants were randomized to receive either the study supplements or a placebo for 90 days, with Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) scores collected at baseline and every 4 weeks to monitor symptom changes. Secondary outcomes assessed included hormonal variations and the incidence of adverse symptoms. Of the initial cohort, 90 participants completed the study with high adherence. Significant improvements were observed in the treatment group across all MRS domains: somatic (- 54.3% difference, p < 0.01), psychological (- 54.3% difference, p < 0.01), urogenital (-37.3% difference, p < 0.01), and total score (- 48.0% difference, p < 0

Alternative and complementary therapies for the menopause.

Borrelli F, Ernst E · Maturitas · 2010

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among menopausal women has increased in the last years. This review examines the evidence from systematic reviews, RCTs and epidemiological studies of CAM in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Some evidence exists in favour of phytosterols and phytostanols for diminishing LDL and total cholesterol in postmenopausal women. Similarly, regular fiber intake is effective in reducing serum total cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Clinical evidence also exists on the effectiveness of vitamin K, a combination of calcium and vitamin D or a combination of walking with other weight-bearing exercise in reducing bone mineral density loss and the incidence of fractures in postmenopausal women. Black cohosh appears to be effective therapy for relieving menopausal symptoms, primarily hot flashes, in early menopause. Phytoestrogen extracts, including isoflavones and lignans, appear to have only minimal effect on hot flash

Effectiveness of Multisymptom Support for Better Relief and Alleviation of Common Effects in Perimenopause (EMBRACE PERIMENOPAUSE).

Choudhury R, Coelho K, Suryawanshi S, Hajare A, Kumar A · Cureus · 2025

Menopause affects 1.5 million women annually, with perimenopause lasting 2-8 years and causing symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and joint pain. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is effective, safety concerns limit its use, leading many women to seek nonhormonal alternatives. Nutraceuticals such as ashwagandha, vitex, and black cohosh offer potential benefits, with 80% of women using supplements. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of Arth perimenopause multisymptom capsules, providing evidence for nutraceuticals as an alternative to HRT. The Effectiveness of Multisymptom Support for Better Relief and Alleviation of Common Effects in Perimenopause (EMBRACE PERIMENOPAUSE) study was a prospective, observational trial conducted at Redkar Hospital and Research Center, Goa. Thirty perimenopausal women aged 40-48 years with irregular menstrual cycles and at least two menopausal symptoms received one Arth capsule daily for 60 days. Using standardized

The role of diet in managing menopausal symptoms: A narrative review.

Yelland S, Steenson S, Creedon A, Stanner S · Nutrition bulletin · 2023

Menopause is a natural stage that occurs when women stop menstruating, during which many women experience physical and psychological symptoms that can affect their quality of life and ability to work. Dietary modifications and food supplements may be explored by some women as alternatives to hormone replacement therapy, although existing reviews and expert position statements have given this limited consideration. This narrative review summarises the current evidence for dietary patterns, and botanical and food supplements, in the management of common menopausal symptoms, including vasomotor symptoms (VMS; hot flushes; night sweats), changes in bodyweight and composition, psychological symptoms (depression; anxiety; cognitive changes), sleep disturbances, joint pain, skin changes and urogenital symptoms. Soy isoflavones may reduce the frequency and/or severity of VMS, although results are inconsistent, and it is unclear whether dietary and supplemental sources have comparable effects.

Herbal preparations for the menopause: beyond isoflavones and black cohosh.

Depypere HT, Comhaire FH · Maturitas · 2014

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) such as isoflavones and black cohosh are commonly used to deal with menopausal symptoms, but benefit a limited proportion of women. The aim of this minireview is to summarize the evidence of the efficacy and safety of other herbal preparations. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) find that the extracts of Mediterranean pine bark (Pycnogenol(®)), linseed, and Lepididium meyenii (Maca) reduce vasomotor symptoms. The results of RCTs of the hop flavonoid 8-prenylnaringenin are conflicting. Animal and human studies suggest that Dioscorea villosa (Wild yam),and Broccoli may protect against osteoporosis and breast and gynecological cancers but further evidence is required. Linseed may protect against breast cancer but the results are conflicting.

Phase 3 Study - Efficacy and Tolerance for the Mixture of Dry Extracts Black Cohosh and Saint John's Worth Versus Isolated Black Cohosh Extract for the Climacteric Symptoms' Control

n=210 · NCT01481025 · UNKNOWN · UNKNOWN

Climacteric Complains bring to women many problems for living a normal life - hot flashes, irritation are 2 of many problems and the mixture of those 2 plant extract must bring a new horizon for this part of time.

A Randomized Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Pelacarsen (TQJ230) in US Black/African American & Hispanic Patient Populations With Elevated Lp(a) and Established Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

n=422 · NCT06267560 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED

Study CTQJ230A12303 is a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled, Phase IIIb study to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of pelacarsen (TQJ230) 80 mg s.c. QM compared with placebo s.c. QM in US Black/African American and Hispanic participants with established ASCVD and elevated levels of Lp(a) who are treated for cardiovascular (CV) risk factors according to local practice/guidelines for the reduction of cardiovascular risk.