- Nutritional support for the female reproductive system. -
Black Cohosh has been valued by many societies, including the American Indians for its nutritious support of the female reproductive system. It was also made into a poultice and applied to snake bites; hence it is sometimes known as snakeroot. It is a tall perennial bearing creamy white flowers native to timbered regions throughout the eastern United States and Canada.
Modern natural health enthusiasts, like those of the past, use it to nourish the female system.
It is used for its estrogenic effect. It does not actually contain any of the estrogens produced in the human body. Instead, it contains isoflavones, compounds that mimic the body`s estrogens, but in a weak fashion.
It has been scientifically proven that Black Cohosh is 100% estrogen. Delayed menstrual periods, severe cramps and nervousness can often be attributed to the fact that production of the estrogen hormone is low. Black Cohosh is anti spasmodic or useful in relieving spasms, convulsions etc. It has diaphoretic properties (which result in perspiration). This causes toxic waste to move out through the skin. It moves mucus out through the nose and throat, generally cleansing the system.
During the past few years with more female surgery and more women taking the pill, the use of estrogen has become quite common as an aid to physical and emotional balance. Ginger in combination with Black Cohosh, acts as a catalyst to move the herb quickly to the pelvic and abdominal area to relieve cramps. Usually only one or two capsules are needed to alleviate cramps. If three do not solve the problem, there are probably other glands involved and the addition of other related herbs is needed. A built-in safety valve produces a sudden sharp but brief headache when the estrogen content in the body is higher than it should be. This makes an overdose of Black Cohosh impossible. The changeover from estrogen drugs to Black Cohosh can be made immediately without any withdrawal symptoms. If headaches do occur, other glands are probably involved and different hormone herbs are needed to create a balance.