Last update Dec. 17, 2024

Black Cohosh

Limited compatibility

Unsafe. Moderate/severe adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Use safer alternative or discontinue breastfeeding from 5 to 7 T ½ . Read Commentary.

Herbaceous plant native to eastern North America. Rhizomes and roots are used. It contains triterpene heterosides saponosides (acteine, deoxyacteine and others) and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. It is traditionally attributed estrogenic properties that have been scientifically denied (Ruhlen 2007, Liske 2002, WHO 2002). Indications Commission E of the German Ministry of Health: dysmenorrhea, premenstrual, menopause (Blumenthal 1998). It is also used without proven data in endometritis and to increase breast milk production. (Amer 2015, Dugoua 2006, McKenna 2001)

As of the last update we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

It may present moderate adverse effects (Posadzki 2013) and cases of severe acute hepatitis have been published. (Chitturi 2008)

It is a plant widely used as such and in dietary supplements. It has not been evaluated in quality clinical trials and there is little evidence to support the safety of its use, particularly during breastfeeding. (Amer 2015, Sachs 2013, Dugoua 2006)

Has components that, in vitro, can bind to the human estrogen receptor and behave as an endocrine disruptor (Powers 2015); according to some authors it could theoretically decrease milk production, so they do not recommend it during breastfeeding. (Amir 2011, WHO 2002)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Black Cohosh is also known as


Black Cohosh in other languages or writings:

Group

Black Cohosh belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Black Cohosh in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
2 (deoxyactein) hours

References

  1. Powers CN, Setzer WN. A molecular docking study of phytochemical estrogen mimics from dietary herbal supplements. In Silico Pharmacol. 2015 Mar 22;3:4. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  2. Amer MR, Cipriano GC, Venci JV, Gandhi MA. Safety of Popular Herbal Supplements in Lactating Women. J Hum Lact. 2015 Abstract
  3. Posadzki P, Watson LK, Ernst E. Adverse effects of herbal medicines: an overview of systematic reviews. Clin Med (Lond). 2013 Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  4. Sachs HC; Committee On Drugs. The transfer of drugs and therapeutics into human breast milk: an update on selected topics. Pediatrics. 2013 Sep;132(3):e796-809. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Amir LH, Pirotta MV, Raval M. Breastfeeding--evidence based guidelines for the use of medicines. Aust Fam Physician. 2011 Sep;40(9):684-90. Review. Abstract
  6. van Breemen RB, Liang W, Banuvar S, Shulman LP, Pang Y, Tao Y, Nikolic D, Krock KM, Fabricant DS, Chen SN, Hedayat S, Bolton JL, Pauli GF, Piersen CE, Krause EC, Geller SE, Farnsworth NR. Pharmacokinetics of 23-epi-26-deoxyactein in women after oral administration of a standardized extract of black cohosh. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Feb;87(2):219-25. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  7. Chitturi S, Farrell GC. Hepatotoxic slimming aids and other herbal hepatotoxins. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. Ruhlen RL, Haubner J, Tracy JK, Zhu W, Ehya H, Lamberson WR, Rottinghaus GE, Sauter ER. Black cohosh does not exert an estrogenic effect on the breast. Nutr Cancer. 2007;59(2):269-77. Abstract
  9. Dugoua JJ, Seely D, Perri D, Koren G, Mills E. Safety and efficacy of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Fall;13(3):e257-61. Epub 2006 Nov 3. Review. Abstract
  10. WHO. World Health Organization. Geneva. WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. Volume 2. WHO monographs. 2002 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  11. Liske E, Hänggi W, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH, Boblitz N, Wüstenberg P, Rahlfs VW. Physiological investigation of a unique extract of black cohosh (Cimicifugae racemosae rhizoma): a 6-month clinical study demonstrates no systemic estrogenic effect. J Womens Health Gend Based Med. 2002 Mar;11(2):163-74. Abstract
  12. McKenna DJ, Jones K, Humphrey S, Hughes K. Black cohosh: efficacy, safety, and use in clinical and preclinical applications. Altern Ther Health Med. 2001 May-Jun;7(3):93-100. Review. Abstract
  13. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Riggins CW, Rister RS, editors. The American Botanical Council. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Integrative Medicine Com; Boston, MA, USA: 1998

Total visits

9,047

Help us improve this entry

How to cite this entry

Do you need more information or did not found what you were looking for?

   Write us at elactancia.org@gmail.com

e-lactancia is a resource recommended by La Liga de la Leche, España of Spain

Would you like to recommend the use of e-lactancia? Write to us at corporate mail of APILAM