Re: Bladder Infections/black cohosh

[Guest guest]

Black Cohosh? Hadn't thought of that. I went to my database and this

is part of what I found. I use it in the Nerve Sedative Formula, but

never thought of it in this type of application. Anyway, here's what

I've got......

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa): Black cohosh root improves blood

circulation and lowers blood pressure and body temperature by

dilating blood vessels and increasing peripheral circulation. The

constituents responsible for these actions are so resinous, the

traditional virtues of this herb are best extracted by using hot

water and preferably alcohol on the fresh root. A central nervous

system depressant, black cohosh directly inhibits vasomotor centers

that are involved with inner ear balance and hearing. One of the

uses for black cohosh recognized by doctors is for relief of ringing

in the ears. The Native Americans knew that it encouraged uterine

contractions and used it to facilitate labor. It is also used to

reduce the inflammation and muscular pain of rheumatism and

inflammatory arthritis, especially when it is associated with

menopause and to treat problems of the respiratory system. Chinese

physicians use several related plants to treat headache, to ripen and

bring out skin rashes such as measles, diarrhea, bleeding gums and

some gynecological problems.

Black cohosh has estrogenic effects, meaning it acts like the

female sex hormone estrogen. This may lend support to its

traditional use for menstrual complaints. It is thought to reduce

levels of pituitary luteinizing hormone, thereby decreasing the

ovaries' production of progesterone. A German trial published in

1995, revealed that black cohosh in combination with St. 's wort

was 78% effective at treating hot flashes and other menopausal

problems. Black cohosh is used to optimize estrogen levels perhaps

by competing with estrogen receptor sites when estrogen is

overabundant but may promote estrogen production when estrogen is

low. It is the prime women's tonic for any uterine condition

involving inflammation, pain, or low estrogen. It promotes fertility

and softens the impact of menopause. Using black cohosh during

menopause can reduce intensity and frequency of hot flashes, support

and ease the body's changes, helps counteract menopausal prolapses,

improves digestion, relieves menstrual pain and irregularity,

relieves headaches, relieves menopausal arthritis and rheumatism.

Cimicifugin, the ranunculoside in black cohosh, exhibits

antispasmodic and sedative properties in the fresh root. When the

root is cut or bruised, an enzyme is released which reacts with

cimicifugin to produce protoanemonine, which is unstable in water

but, when dried, is readily oxidized to an anemonic acid which has no

physiological activity. The antispasmodic and sedative properties of

black cohosh are only present in the whole, fresh root. The dried,

powdered black cohosh in common use today contains only the

irritating principles.

> black cohosh comes to mind as good support for the female organs so

I would use that in my tea as long as she is not pregnant.