Herb
Black cohosh
SaveA North American root extract used mainly for menopausal hot flashes and mood-related symptoms.
Quick verdict
A reasonable menopause-focused herb with mixed but real symptom-relief data and better support than many alternatives.
Evidence score
A rough internal score reflecting quantity, quality, and consistency of human evidence. Not a clinical recommendation.
What the research shows
Clinical studies show mixed effects on hot flashes and sleep, but several trials and reviews suggest modest benefit in peri- and postmenopausal women. It does not appear to act like a classic phytoestrogen.
Benefits
- May reduce menopausal vasomotor symptoms
- Can modestly improve sleep and mood in some users
- Non-estrogenic mechanism may suit some patients better
Dosage notes
Most studies use 20-80 mg/day of standardized extract for 8-24 weeks.
Side effects
- GI upset
- Headache
- Rare liver-related adverse events
Who should be cautious
Rare liver-injury reports exist, so persistent fatigue, dark urine, or jaundice should prompt discontinuation. Avoid in pregnancy.
What this page cannot tell you
Most human studies are small, short, or use standardized extracts rather than the raw herb.
Leaderboard scores
- Sleep30
- Mood25
- Pain15
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