In North America the American bugbane, or summer cohosh (C. americana), about 120 cm (4 feet) tall, and the black cohosh, or black snakeroot (C. racemosa; see ), about 180 cm (5.91 feet) tall, have roots that have been used medicinally. C. foetida, native to Europe and Siberia, is used medicinally by the Chinese. These species are sometimes grown in the shady woodland garden for their whitish branched flower stalks that rise strikingly above the large, divided leaves.
Cimicifuga foetida extract in menopausal women
This is a very interesting study, as it gives women another option for helping the menopausal symptoms. This could also be useful for women who cannot take HRT for whatever reason, eg breast cancer.
Bugbane, also called Rattletop, any of about 15 species of tall perennial herb constituting the genus Cimicifuga of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to North Temperate woodlands. They are said to put bugs to flight by the rustling of their dried seed heads.
Climacteric. 2017 Dec 4:1-6. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2017.1406913. [Epub ahead of print]
Efficacy and safety evaluation of Cimicifuga foetida extract in menopausal women.
Author information
- 1
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences , Beijing , China.
- 2
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Jiaxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital , Jiaxing , China.
- 3
- c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University , Hebei , China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term treatment with Cimicifuga foetida extract in menopausal women.
METHODS:
A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 96 early postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to three groups: group A received 1 mg estradiol valerate daily plus 4 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate on days 19-30; group B received 1 mg estradiol valerate daily plus 100 mg micronized progesterone on days 19-30; group C received 100 mg C. foetida extract daily. The efficacy was evaluated. Safety parameters were recorded.
RESULTS:
A total of 81 patients completed the treatment and follow-up visit. The modified Kupperman Menopausal Index scores decreased after 3 months in all groups. No significant changes were observed in the liver, renal function and components of metabolic syndrome in group C (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidences of metabolic syndrome among the three groups (p > 0.05). After 24 months, the endometrial thickness increased significantly in group B (p = 0.014), but not in the C. foetida extract group (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
C. foetida extract is safe and effective for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.
Posted on January 8, 2018, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. Comments Off on Cimicifuga foetida extract in menopausal women.
Dr Colin Holloway 