| Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a perennial | | | | type of tea, she may alleviate or diminish many of the |
| plant whose gnarled root has been used as treatment | | | | symptoms associated with lack of estrogen. The |
| for various "female problems" for many years. It is well | | | | reason this happens is that the phytoestrogens |
| documented that generations of American women | | | | contained in it bind themselves to hormone receptors in |
| have relied on black cohosh to relieve the symptoms | | | | the uterus, breast, and other parts of the female body. |
| of female specific discomforts, from PMS and | | | | This then leads to a lessening of the detrimental |
| menstrual cramps to menopausal symptoms. | | | | symptoms a lack of estrogen causes in women. |
| The first recorded use of black cohosh dates back to | | | | The action of the phytoestrogens possibly lessens hot |
| the 1900s when this wildflower (a part of the buttercup | | | | flashes, vaginal dryness, headache, dizziness, |
| family), that is indigenous to the United States of | | | | depressive mood, and other hormone-related |
| America, provided the main ingredient in a popular tonic | | | | symptoms. |
| for women. In more modern times, it is being used to | | | | Another positive health effect of black cohosh tea is |
| treat a variety of other complaints which range from | | | | that it reduces the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH). LH |
| insect bites to eczema, along with use as an herbal | | | | is a compound produced by the brain's pituitary gland |
| drink with various women's health benefits. | | | | that regulates the activities of women's ovaries. In a |
| General Health Benefits of Black Cohosh Tea | | | | 1991 study on women, it was shown to help minimize |
| Beyond its use as treatment for women's problems, | | | | hot flashes by cutting down the LH hormone levels in a |
| black cohosh tea has demonstrated healing properties | | | | woman's body. Previous studies had shown that the |
| that include anti-inflammatory and mild sedative effects. | | | | rise of LH hormone in a woman's body was directly |
| This makes it the perfect antidote for muscle aches | | | | related with hot flashes. |
| and pains. As another benefit, it may also be taken to | | | | These scientific discoveries led to the use of black |
| clear mucous membranes and reduce the severity of | | | | cohosh tea as an alternative to hormone therapy. |
| congestion and coughs. | | | | Some women actually prefer drinking this tea over |
| As a treatment for women, black cohosh tea may | | | | receiving hormone therapy, because it is a much safer |
| help to relieve hot flashes and other menopausal and | | | | treatment with reduced health risks. Hormone therapy |
| peri-menopausal symptoms. During middle age, the | | | | has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer |
| estrogen levels in a woman's body starts to decline. | | | | when taken long-term. In contrast, black cohosh does |
| Some of the detrimental side effects of this lack of | | | | not appear to stimulate the growth of breast tumors. |
| estrogen can cause women to experience hot flashes, | | | | Forms of Black Cohosh |
| vaginal dryness, depression, and other similarly | | | | Black cohosh is available in several different forms. As |
| unpleasant symptoms. Scientists have discovered that | | | | an herbal supplement, it may be bought as a tincture or |
| drinking this tea may have a beneficial effect that | | | | in tablet form. However, the most popular form is to |
| helps offset this decline in estrogen. | | | | enjoy it as a tea. Due to the popularity of the tea, it |
| How Does Black Cohosh Help? | | | | now comes in several different flavors and scents to |
| Black cohosh is said to contain a powerful plant active | | | | make your herbal tea experience better a more |
| ingredient called phytoestrogen. This chemcial | | | | enjoyable process. For women who are unable or |
| compound actually mimics the effects of human | | | | unwilling to drink tea, it is now available in the form of |
| estrogen in the female body. If a woman takes in a | | | | capsules. |
| significant amount of phytoestrogen by drinking this | | | | |