According to the National Institute of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, patients in clinical trials using black cohosh report a low incidence of black cohosh side effects.
Additionally, many supplements can be found that contain black cohosh (Cimicifugaracemosa) or dong quai (Angelica sinensis), which are herbs high in phytoestrogens.
Always talk to your doctor or midwife before taking black cohosh or any other medication.
Among reported side effects, the four listed above are the least severe and typically went away as soon as use of black cohosh was discontinued.
And while folklore places another uses for black cohosh as an herb to induce labor, it should never be used for this purpose except under the supervision of an herbalist, nurse midwife, or skilled naturopathic physician.
Another very serious side effect of using black cohosh can be seizures.
Avoid taking black cohosh or other herbal supplements while pregnant or breast feeding.
Because of this case and several other serious liver problems reported from using black cohosh, the Australian government now requires a warning label on the supplement.
Beginning in the 38th week, one 500 mg capsule of black cohosh taken three times per day is the recommended dosage.
Black cohosh can have side effects including nausea, indigestion, vomiting, headaches, weight gain and low blood pressure.
Black cohosh is a perennial herb native to North America.
Black cohosh is a perennial plant that comes from the same family as the buttercup.
Black Cohosh is a primary herb in menopause formulas.
Black cohosh may stimulate uterine contractions, and could result in miscarriage.
Black cohosh should not be used in conjunction with, nor confused with, blue cohosh, Cimicifuga foetida, sheng ma, white banberry or bugbane.
Blue Cohosh will almost certainly be present in some amount.
For instance, black cohosh may bring about nausea and gastric discomfort while reducing hot flashes.
Health care practitioners recommend adding five drops of black cohosh tincture to a cup of water or tea, and ingesting it once or twice a day.
Herbalists have long believed that black cohosh has analgesic (pain relieving) properties as well as anti-inflammatory and anti spasmodic properties.
Herbs that may be helpful blue cohosh is a traditional remedy for lack of menstruation.
Herbs used to treat amenorrhea include dong quai (Angelica sinensis), black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), and chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus).
Herbs used to treat oligomenorrhea include dong quai (Angelica sinensis), black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), and chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus).
I took blue cohosh and rescue remedy as I knew getting uptight wasn't going to help anyone.
If any black cohosh side effects are suspected, and if you notice your eye whites or skin looking yellow after taking black cohosh, see a physician immediately.
If you experience any of these side effects, stop using black cohosh immediately.
If you suspect that you may have had a seizure, see a doctor immediately and discontinue use of black cohosh supplements.
If you're an expectant mother nearing or past your due date, you may begin to wonder about inducing labor naturally using black cohosh.
If you're considering taking black cohosh to induce labor, check with your midwife or labor and delivery health care provider before following the dosages listed below.
If you're considering taking black cohosh, use common sense and caution.
In Leontice thalictroides (Blue Cohosh), species of Ophiopogon, Peliosanthes and Stateria, the ovary ruptures immediately after flowering, and the ovules are exposed; and in species of Cuphea the placenta ultimately bursts through the ovary and corolla, and becomes erect, bearing the exposed ovules.
Large doses of black cohosh can induce seizure, irregular heartbeat and visual disturbance.
Learning more about the risks and benefits of natural methods such as black cohosh will help you to make the best decision possible for you and for your baby.
Like any other supplement or herb, black cohosh may produce side effects.
Liver damage has been associated with black cohosh use.
Midwives and natural health practitioners sometimes recommend black cohosh to induce labor in women who are near or past their due dates.
More serious side effects, however, have been reported, particularly among women who used black cohosh over long periods of time.
Neurological complications in the baby may occur if black cohosh is combined with blue cohosh.
Never use black cohosh without supervision of your health care provider.
Newborns whose mothers took black and blue cohosh to induce labor have shown impaired cognitive function and breathing difficulties.
People allergic to aspirin should not take black cohosh, as it contains salicylic acid.
People who have hormonally-fed illnesses or conditions such as breast cancer and uterine fibroids should not use black cohosh, because it has not yet been determined what the hormonal effects of this herb are.
Practitioners prescribe black cohosh to control the symptoms of menopause and assist with menstrual cramps and water retention related to menstruation.
Products specifically geared for women that are enhanced with herbs such as black cohosh, chaste tree bark, and Echinacea are also available.
Rooibos, Licorice (root), Black Cohosh, Chaste Berry, and other herbs are included and it has a slight honey flavor added.
Seizures have been reported in otherwise healthy women using black cohosh, either alone or with another supplement.
Some practitioners believe that black cohosh ripens the cervix and strengthens contractions, leading to the onset of labor.
Some reports indicate that black cohosh, especially when used with another herb called blue cohosh, can negatively impact newborn children.
The effectiveness and safety of using black cohosh as described above have not been studied.
The fourth study, which found an effect of black cohosh on LH levels, was a trial in 110 women with menopausal symptoms.
The Native Americans used black cohosh to treat sore throats, snakebites, and female complaints such as menstrual cramps and hot flashes.
The phytoestrogenic herb, Black Cohosh, acts as a tonic that will help to increase libido and reduce feelings of fatigue.
The safety and efficacy of black cohosh have not been proven nor studied.
There are risks involved with self-prescribing any herb, vitamin or medicine during pregnancy, so it is important that you take black cohosh only under the advisement of your health care provider.
Three of four studies show that black cohosh does not affect LH or FSH.
Today, black cohosh is most often recommended to address the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes.
Using black cohosh before week 37 of pregnancy may result in premature birth, which can be detrimental to your baby.
When talking to your healthcare provider about this natural remedy, it can be helpful to understand the basics about this herb and how much black cohosh women take to induce labor.
When using any herbal remedy, care must be taken because of side effects and black cohosh side effects are no exception.
When your midwife or health care provider has determined it is safe to induce your labor, place 15 drops of black cohosh tincture under your tongue every hour.
While Black Cohosh is generally safe to use you should be aware that it is a blood thinner as well.
While black cohosh may, indeed, induce labor, it is essential to the safety and health of both you and your baby that you only use black cohosh under careful supervision.
Women who have had liver disease or liver problems of any kind should not use black cohosh.
You should not take Black Cohosh if you are on blood thinners or aspirin therapy.