Black Cohosh and Hot Flashes

Women are probably familiar with the link between hot flashes and Black Cohosh. For those who aren’t, black cohosh is an herb used to treat hot flashes. This herb, however powerful and effective, has some disadvantages if taken for too long. Hot flashes affect nearly all women who are approaching menopause, and for most they will lasts for the whole transition. Alternative medicine such as black cohosh is often used to counter the problem. Menopause is a natural process that causes a hormonal imbalance in a woman's body and this can lead to hot flashes.

What is Black Cohosh?

Black cohosh is a natural plant extract which is often used to fight hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Although there is no evidence to prove that it has a positive effect on symptoms, it is used by many women in menopause, many of whom rely on it for relief.

Its Latin names are Actaea racemosa and Cimicifuga racemosa and the herb is native to North America. It is a member of the buttercup family but is avoided by insects and bugs, leading to it being referred to as the following names:

• black snakeroot.
• bugbane.
• bugwort.
• macrotys.
• rattleroot.
• rattleweed.

Homeopathic healers recommend black cohosh to reduce hot flashes although the best way to beat the heat is naturally. Historically the herb can treat rheumatism and muscle pains alongside beating hot flashes.

Herbs and Hot Flashes

Black cohosh is similar to dong quai in that it is a phytoestrogen herb. There are two types of herbs for treating hot flashes and these are: phytoestrogen and non-estrogenic herbs. The former contain estrogenic components produced by plants. They treat a hormone imbalance and replace some of the missing estrogen hormones.

However, it is important to remember that black cohosh may not be the best way to treat hot flashes as these herbs add hormones from outside your body and makes your body become less responsive to producing its own estrogen.

With this in mind non-estrogenic herbs are better than black cohosh to treat hot flashes and the reason is simple. As the name suggests they contain no estrogen but instead nourish hormonal glands to effectively produce more natural hormones. Because of this non-estrogenic herbs,are considered the safest and best way to treat hot flashes naturally. Alternatively, you can make changes to your lifestyle and diet to help rebalance the hormones. Click on the following link for more information about hot flashes treatments available.

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