II. Mechanism
- Native North American plant
- Plant root contains Estrogenic steroids
- Triterpene glycosides (acetin, cimicifugoside)
- Isoflavonoid formononetin
- Effects
III. Indications: Current Use
- Menopausal symptoms
- Post-menopausal Hot Flushes
- Insomnia
- Mood disturbance
- Dysmenorrhea
IV. Contraindications
- Pregnancy (due to uterine contractions)
- Use caution if risk factors for Breast Cancer
- Black Cohosh has unclear effect on Breast Cancer risk
V. Efficacy
- No rigorous RCT studies to show efficacy to date
VI. Adverse Effects
VII. Drug Interactions
- No CYP enzyme or P-Glycoprotein interactions
- OATP2B1 Interactions that reduce efficacy of affected medications
VIII. Cost
- Monthly: $12 to $30
IX. Dosing
- Remifemin (Standardized 1 mg terpene per 20 mg tablet)
- Typical dose: Two 20 mg tablets bid
- Effects anticipated at 2-4 weeks after starting
X. References
- Jarry (1985) Planta Medica 4:316-9
- Rand (2001) CMEA Medicine Lecture, San Diego
- Asher (2017) Am Fam Physician 96(2): 101-7 [PubMed]
- Kligler (2003) Am Fam Physician 68(1):114-6 [PubMed]
- Morelli (2002) Am Fam Physician 66(1):129-34 [PubMed]
Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)
Related Studies
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Biologically Active Substance (T123) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
| MSH | C073419 |
| English | Remifemin, remifemin |
Ontology: Black Cohosh Extract (C0771967)
| Definition (NCI) | A triterpene-containing herb isolated from the roots and rhizomes of the plant Cimicifuga racemosa (also known as Actaea racemosa). While the mechanism of action of black cohosh is not completely understood, it appears to act as a selective estrogen receptor modulator. In vitro, this preparation has been shown to induce cell cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells. (NCI04) |
| Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) | An eastern North American perennial herb. A substance obtained from the root of the plant has been used in some cultures to treat a number of medical problems. It is being studied in the treatment of hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. The scientific name is Cimicifuga racemosa. |
| Definition (PDQ) | A triterpene-containing herb isolated from the roots and rhizomes of the plant Cimicifuga racemosa (also known as Actaea racemosa). While the mechanism of action of black cohosh is not completely understood, it appears to act as a selective estrogen receptor modulator. In vitro, this preparation has been shown to induce cell cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells. Check for "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=302635&idtype=1" active clinical trials or "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=302635&idtype=1&closed=1" closed clinical trials using this agent. ("http://nciterms.nci.nih.gov:80/NCIBrowser/ConceptReport.jsp?dictionary=NCI_Thesaurus&code=C26647" NCI Thesaurus) |
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
| SnomedCT | 412588001, 412589009 |
| English | Black cohosh, black cohosh (medication), BLACK COHOSH, cimicifuga racemosa, black cohosh extract, Black Cohosh Extract, black cohosh, Cimicifuga racemosa Root, Cimicifugae racemosae Rhizoma, Fariy Candle Root, Actaea racemosa Root, Black Cohosh, bugbane, black snakeroot, bugwort, rattlesnake root, Cimicifuga racemosa extract (substance), Cimicifuga racemosa extract, Cimicifuga racemosa preparation (product), Cimicifuga racemosa preparation, Black cohosh extract, Black cohosh preparation, BLACK COHOSH EXTRACT |
| Spanish | extracto de raíz de culebra negra, extracto de cimicífuga, Cimicifuga racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa (producto), preparación con Cimicifuga racemosa (producto), preparación con Cimicifuga racemosa, extracto de Cimicifuga racemosa (sustancia), extracto de Cimicifuga racemosa |
Ontology: Cimicifuga racemosa (C0885226)
| Definition (ALT) | Black cohosh root. |
| Concepts | Plant (T002) |
| MSH | D031885 |
| Portuguese | Cimifuga, Raiz-Cascavel, Raiz-Preta-de-Cobra |
| Czech | Cimicifuga racemosa, ploštičník hroznovitý, ploštičník hroznatý |
| German | Trauben-Silberkerze, Silberkerze, Trauben-, Wanzenkraut |
| French | Cimicifuge noire, Cimicaire en grappes, Cimicifuga racemosa, Actée à grappes noires, Actaea racemosa |
| English | Bugbanes, Black, racemosa, Actaea, racemosas, Actaea, Black Cohoshs, Cimicifuga racemosas, Actaea racemosas, racemosa, Cimicifuga, Black Bugbanes, Cohoshs, Black, racemosas, Cimicifuga, Black Bugbane, Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt., Actaea racemosa L., cimicifuga racemosa, black cohosh, Cimicifuga racemosa, Actaea racemosa, Bugbane, Black, Cohosh, Black, Black Cohosh, Cimicifuga racemosa / black cohosh root, cimicifuga racemosa/black co |
| Italian | Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa, Estratto nero di Cohosh |
| Norwegian | Klaseormedrue, Cimicifuga racemosa, Actaea racemosa |
| Dutch | Kaars, zilver-, Zilverkaars |
| Spanish | Bugbane Negra, Cohosh Negra, Cimifuga |
