Black cohosh study demonstrates no benefits for breast cancer survivors

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers at Columbia University concluded that treatment with 40 mg/day of black cohosh was no more effective than placebo at relieving hot flashes, heart palpitations, headaches, and irritability in breast cancer survivors, although there was reported reduction in sweating.

"For breast cancer survivors, our data provide little evidence of either harm or benefit from using black cohosh to control hot flashes, although a reduction in sweating may be important to patients," the research team concluded. Mark Blumenthal of the American Botanical Council pointed out that black cohosh is currently used in Germany and other European countries for menopause and painful menstruation, and that many European studies have shown the herb to be beneficial. Reuters, May 17, 2001.