Black cohosh
"The studies showed that black cohosh was not significantly better than placebo in relieving hot flushes, but a combination of black cohosh and tamoxifen appeared better than usual care with tamoxifen alone. However, this potential benefit is not conclusive.
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Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa, synonym: Actaea racemosa) is a medicinal herb, traditionally used by native American Indians for menstrual, menopausal, and other conditions. In Germany, there is a pattern of traditional use for climacteric symptoms. Extracts of black cohosh have been recommended as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy for treatment of hot flushes in menopausal women. Two randomised-controlled trials were identified for black cohosh preparations in the treatment of hot flushes in women with breast cancer experiencing chemotherapy (tamoxifen). The quality of one double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was considered to be adequate, and another open-label, unblinded trial had several methodological flaws.
The studies showed that black cohosh was not significantly better than placebo in relieving hot flushes, but a combination of black cohosh and tamoxifen appeared better than usual care with tamoxifen alone. However, this potential benefit is not conclusive. Current evidence is not sufficient to support or refute the use of black cohosh extracts for treatment of hot flushes in breast cancer patients.
