Evidence supporting the use of: Black cohosh
For the health condition: PMS (general)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) has been traditionally used by Native American and European herbalists for women’s reproductive health, including symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Historical records show its use for menstrual irregularities, cramps, and mood disturbances associated with the menstrual cycle. However, most of the modern research on black cohosh focuses on its effectiveness for menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, rather than PMS specifically. Although black cohosh is thought to have estrogen-like effects or to modulate neurotransmitters, scientific studies examining its benefits for PMS are very limited, small in size, and results are inconsistent. Some small clinical trials have explored black cohosh in combination with other herbs for PMS, but the specific effect of black cohosh alone is unclear. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to support black cohosh as a treatment for PMS. Despite its traditional use, health organizations do not currently recommend black cohosh for PMS due to the lack of robust scientific validation. As such, while black cohosh remains a popular traditional remedy, its evidence base for PMS is weak, and more rigorous studies are needed to clarify any potential benefits.

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