Digest Number 1673

[Guest guest]

Your Email piqued my interest, since Black cohosh is one of the safest herbs. No

drug interactions

listed, approved for use in Germany since 1950's, and in Canada for over counter

use, and a virtually

flawless German E commission report.

 

I could not find any deaths from this herb. Below are a few precautions in

taking Black Cohosh

(Cimicifuga racemosa.) I would not use TV/radio infomercials as a source of good

information or any

talk radio program, but that's me. I did find one link to acute hepatitis and

Black Cohosh. It is also

important to always buy herbs by Latin name. When buying herbs in bulk, I also

always buy herbs

whole, and not powdered, so I can see if the company sent me the right herb and

so I can examine the

quality. Companies do make mistakes! I also believe the less processing the

better, and the greater

the chance the active ingredients are intact. Many powdering /grinding machines

overheat herbs. But,

some have accused me of being over-cautious.

 

Michael

 

Pique: Def. 2. To provoked, arouse, spur. From Old French, " piquer " , to pierce,

prick. (Related words:

piquant [spicy, sharp], pique [needlework])

 

Do not take Black Cohosh if you have a history of breast cancer, or other

tumors that are responsive to estrogen

High dosages (>5gr.) can cause headache, dizziness, vomiting, and lowered blood

pressure.

 

http://www.mindbodyconsult.com/protocols/cohosh.html

Adverse Reactions: Gastric upset, headaches, dysphoria, cardiovascular

depression. Liver and hman

blood mononuclear toxicity has been found for this product during in vitro

testing. Also found to

inactivate p450 liver enzymes resulting in decrease in control cytochrome

(isozymes 2E 1 and 4A)

activity during in vitro testing.

 

Black cohosh and acute hepatitis link

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/177_08_211002/whi10119_fm.html

 

Known Interactive Effects: Caution should be exercised if herb is taken with

other hormonal therapies

since C racemosa likely interacts with the sex hormone.

 

http://thetillery.bizland.com/Herbal%20Usage%20Warnings%20for%20Cimicifuga%20rac\

emosa%20-

%20Black%20Cohosh.htm

Do not use Black Cohosh if you have a hypersensitivity to aspirin. I would not

recommend to anyone who has suffered from nasal polyps. They are

indicative of aspirin hypersensitivity.

 

Do not use Black Cohosh if you are pregnant or nursing.

Some of the constituents can cross the placental barrier.

This is one of those good thing, bad things.

Bad during most of the pregnancy, when you would not want the baby

to have, say, salicylic acid, as this can lower birth weight. Good at

time of birth because salicylates have been used to facilitate closure

of ductus arteriosus. Bad when nursing because, some constituents

like, again, salicylic acid, are passed in milk.

 

Do not use Black Cohosh if you take oral contraceptives.

This warning is due to possible effects of inhibition of

prostaglandins.

 

Do not use Black Cohosh if you have heart disease.

This root has been used in heart disease-pericarditis,

myocarditis,etc ...BUT should only be used in such case by someone

very experienced.

 

Too large doses or prolonged use may cause abdominal pain, nausea,

headaches, dizziness, vomiting, headaches, sweating, joint pain,

lowered pulse rate.

 

Ringing of the ears-tinnitus-is a sign that salicylate threshold has

been reached.

 

Nausea is probably the most common complaint.

Salicylic acid is quite irritating to gastric mucosa.

 

Where acidity of the stomach is present, sodium bicarbonate might be

administered as adjunctive.

 

Do not take Black Cohosh if you have, or have had in the past, gastric

or duodenal ulcer.

This warning is important. This root contains salicylic acid, tannic

acid, formic acid, gallic acid, etc. Some of these constituents are

irritant, corrosive, etc. Some might help to balance the effects. I

would cogitate ....then cogitate again. And then probably not try it.

 

 

 

herbal remedies, " Kristal " <kraditia> wrote:

> " Karen Smith " <smith50@w...> wrote:

> > Re Black Cohosh. Someone sent me an email about liver faiure and

> > black cohosh, I beiieve it was only 1 case in Australia? and could

> > have been from contamination or just a freak thing. I take it

> > along with evening primrose oil.

> > Karen

>

> Ok, it was a doctor on a talk-back radio programme, he stated that 1

> in 1000 women have suffered kidney problems from taking Black Cohosh,

> and there are 3 known deaths as a result. I was curious if anyone had

> more info on this data ?

> Kristal

[Guest guest]

herbal remedies, " chinesemedicineman "

<chinesemedicineman> wrote:

> Your Email piqued my interest, since Black cohosh is one of the

safest herbs. No drug interactions listed, approved for use in

Germany since 1950's, and in Canada for over counter use, and a

virtually flawless German E commission report.<

 

Thanx heaps for your reply and all that info and the sites, I have

added them to my health folder and am about to read through each of

the links you sent. Am now wondering if the Remifemin is the cause of

my headaches and tinitis, even though they are only small

doses.....thinking doing lil experiment by not taking the tabs for a

while and see what results....once again thanx heaps.

Kristal