Researchers at Monash University, in Victoria, Australia, examined the scientific evidence for the use of CAM to stimulate labor. Continue reading Review: CAM options to induce labor
Category Archives: Black/Blue Cohosh
Combining black cohosh with tamoxifen in breast cancer therapy
Anti-hormonal therapy of breast cancer patients with the anti-estrogen tamoxifen (Nolvadex) often induces or aggravates menopausal complaints.
Researchers at the University Hospital, in Zurich, Switzerland measured the response to black cohosh. Continue reading Combining black cohosh with tamoxifen in breast cancer therapy
CAM options to treat menopausal symptoms
Prof. Ernst has reviewed the evidence.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading CAM options to treat menopausal symptoms
Review: CAM to treat menopausal vasomotor symptoms
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, reviewed allopathic and CAM options.
Let’s focus on CAM. Continue reading Review: CAM to treat menopausal vasomotor symptoms
Little evidence that herbals relieve menopause symptoms
Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin, which is published by the British Medical Journal, has published their review of the evidence. Continue reading Little evidence that herbals relieve menopause symptoms
CYP2D6-mediated herb-drug interactions
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is a liver enzyme responsible for the metabolism of approximately 30% of all drugs.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock studied the effect of CYP2D6 on the metabolism of several herbal supplements and the risk of drug interactions. Continue reading CYP2D6-mediated herb-drug interactions
Fish oil lowers risk of breast of cancer
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in Seattle, Washington tell us, “There have been no prospective studies of the association between the long-term use of these supplements (omega-3 fatty acids and others] and breast cancer risk….” until now.
This and other recent breakthroughs are summarized below. Continue reading Fish oil lowers risk of breast of cancer
Re-evaluating the risk of liver toxicity from black cohosh
Researchers from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt/Main, in Hanau, Germany, reviewed the evidence and believe the risk is less than suspected. Continue reading Re-evaluating the risk of liver toxicity from black cohosh
Risk of taking herbals in people with heart disease
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Arizona collaborated to review the risks of herbal:drug interactions.
The abstract is a bit skimpy on details, but the American Pharmaceutical Association has a nice summary, which will be summarized further here. Continue reading Risk of taking herbals in people with heart disease
The Training and Cimicifuega racemosa Erlangen study
Researchers from the University of Erlangen, in Germany studied the effect of adding black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) to exercise.
They were looking for evidence of greater benefit with black cohosh over exercise alone in bone mineral density and coronary heart disease risk during early post menopause. Continue reading The Training and Cimicifuega racemosa Erlangen study
Another review of black cohosh
Warning. Others have drawn similar conclusions, as noted here and here.
Now, researchers from McGill University, in Montreal have reviewed the evidence for black cohosh to treat menopausal symptoms, again. Continue reading Another review of black cohosh
Thomas Jefferson’s menopause recommendations
To manage vasomotor symptoms, researchers from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia recommend “lifestyle changes in all women.” Continue reading Thomas Jefferson’s menopause recommendations
Black cohosh to manage menopausal symptoms
Reviewers from the University of Florida, College of Medicine in Jacksonville assessed the evidenced. Continue reading Black cohosh to manage menopausal symptoms
Safety review of popular herbal products
Dr. Darrell Hulisz from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio reviews popular herbals.
Let’s focus on safety issues. Continue reading Safety review of popular herbal products
Herbals vs hormones to treat cognition in menopause
Dietary herbal supplements, such as black cohosh, have shown mixed and inconclusive results in placebo-controlled studies of menopausal symptoms.
Researchers from Northwestern University, in Chicago, Illinois compared black cohosh and red clover to hormone therapy for their effects on cognition (reasoning). Continue reading Herbals vs hormones to treat cognition in menopause
Key points about commonly used herbals
Dr. Darrell Hulisz from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio has written a continuing education article on herbals.
Here are the author’s take-away points, with additional references added. Continue reading Key points about commonly used herbals
Herbals and lead levels in Americans
The relationship between supplements and lead levels in blood has been an ongoing project for researchers in Boston.
In this study, researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center report specific herbal supplements are associated with higher blood lead levels among women. Continue reading Herbals and lead levels in Americans
The changing view of black cohosh and liver toxicity
 This is the third review in the past year that has come to the same conclusion.
This time, researchers from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, in Hanau, Germany evaluated the relationship between suspected liver toxicity in 9 patients treated with black cohosh (Actaea racemosa and Cimicifuga racemosa). Continue reading The changing view of black cohosh and liver toxicity
Black cohosh not associated with liver disease, again
This is the second review published this year, and the second to conclude “there is no evidence for a causal relationship between treatment by black cohosh and the observed liver disease.” Continue reading Black cohosh not associated with liver disease, again
Safety of black cohosh
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is used to treat symptoms of menopause.
Prof. Ernst and a colleague from the University of Naples Federico II in Italy delve into the scientific literature on its safety. Continue reading Safety of black cohosh