Study Casts Doubt on Value of Black Cohash in Treating Hot Flashes

Black cohash may have little effect on menopause symptoms in breast cancer survivors, according to researchers at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

In the first randomized clinical trial of an herbal remedy for hot flashes, which are experienced by nearly two thirds of all breast cancer patients, researchers tested the traditional Native American herb to measure its effectiveness.

Researchers studied the menopause symptoms in 85 women with breast cancer. Half of the patients took black cohash pills and the other half received placebo. For most symptoms, the outcomes were about the same in each group, with both reporting an average of about 27 percent fewer hot flashes.

The study was limited in that it lasted only two months, the researchers told the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology. They said they had been concerned that participants might drop out if they didn't experience relief within a short timeframe.

"It is possible that when used for a longer period of time, black cohash may show greater efficacy relative to placebo, although our data show no strong indication of such a trend," the researchers reported.

The results were also published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Black cohash (Cimicifuga racemosa) is native to the eastern U.S. and Canada. Native Americans have used it for menstrual, menopausal, and various other conditions. It is also popular in Europe, especially Germany.

Other sources: Columbia University