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Cimicifuga: Why it is valuable against menopausal symptoms
October 16, 2023
Cimicifuga: What is it?
Cimicifuga, also known as the “woman plant,” was used by Native Americans as a remedy for menopausal symptoms. Find out more about the potential and effects of this plant.
Actaea racemosa is a perennial plant that belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It is also known as Cimicifuga rubifolia and was used in various ways by the indigenous people and settlers. These include names such as "Cohosh Black", "Black Bugwort", "Snake Root" (because it was also used to treat snake bites) and "Magic Candle". In 1753 Linnaeus included it in the list of medicinal and medicinal plants.
Origin of Cimicifuga
It is native primarily to temperate regions of North America such as Ontario, central Georgia, southern Missouri and Arkansas in forested areas.
After Europeans took advantage of knowledge inherited from Native Americans, Cimicifuga was included in the continent's pharmacopoeias beginning in the 1830s and was also used to treat rheumatism and nervous system diseases.
The use of Cimicifuga as a dietary supplement, based on the dry extract of the plant, began in 1956 when Germany introduced the first capsules specifically designed to combat menopausal symptoms.
Meanwhile, studies, intensified from the 1980s, have increased and produced some satisfactory results.
What Cimicifuga contains: active ingredients
The active ingredients in Cimicifuga are found primarily in the rhizome, including formononetin, a phytoestrogen with diuretic, sedative and estrogenic properties.
In addition, it contains triterpenic glycosides such as actein, cimicifugoside, deoxyacetylacteol and 27-deoxyactein, flavonoids, isoferulic acid and a high proportion of tannins.
What are triterpene glycosides?
I triterpene sono, infatti, tra le molecole più comuni in natura e structure and metabolite secondari di molte piante conosciute.
In particolare, the triterpene glycosides also form a structure in four annals and are derived from squalene, which is the precursor of the steroli present in the skin and non-animals. Questi glicosidi hanno proprietà che inibiscono l'assorbimento del colesterolo animale ed è per questo motivo che vengonono useizzati nella semisintesi di farmaci per trattare l'ipercolesterolemia.
Dietary supplement with Cimicifuga: benefits for neurovegetative and psychological symptoms of menopause
The compost contents of the Cimicifuga, come from N-ω-metilserotonina, also contribute in a beneficial way to the neurovegetative symptoms of menopause. Questi sintomi vanno all vampate di heat, cefalea, nervosismo, statusi depressori fino all'insonnia.
Inoltre, si ritiene che la Cimicifuga possa ridurre i livelli di calcio e fosforo nel sangue, favorendo the salute ossea, the potrebbe can help prevent the osteoporosis. Inoltre, si ritiene che abbia un'applicazione nel trattamento dell'artrosi, dei reumatismi and di varie problematiche reumatiche, with effetti calmanti, antinfiammatori e antidolorifici.
Tuttavia, the dose giornaliera consigliata is not specificata nel testo fornito. You should consult a medical professional or a qualified doctor to determine the dose appropriate for integration based on the individual characteristics.
Daily Recommended Dose:
The recommended daily dose of Cimicifuga extract is 0.6-1.0 mg/kg body weight, twice daily and outside of meals.*
How does Cimicifuga work for menopause symptoms
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is recommended by the European Medicines Agency for women suffering from menopausal symptoms that may affect the quality of life (Italian Institute of Health)*.
Cimicifuga and phytoestrogens in general represent an alternative to HRT in some cases. In particular, Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga or Actaea racemosa) can be considered a non-estrogenic option for those who also have problems with plant estrogens that mimic the function of female hormones .
HRT involves the replacement of hormones that are no longer produced by the female body in the premenopausal and postmenopausal phases through the use of artificially produced estrogens and progestogens (analogous to the natural hormones produced by the ovaries). The contraindications include:
Previous breast, ovarian or uterine cancer
Blood clotting disorders
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Liver diseases.*
The use of Cimicifuga as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy
The study "The non-estrogenic alternative for the treatment of menopausal symptoms: Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga or Actaea racemosa)", published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, examines the effects of extracts from the rhizomes of Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa). described on menopause. At high doses, phytoestrogens mimic the effects of estrogens, but extracts of Cimicifuga showed no estrogenic effects on breast cancer cells and the uterus (in vitro and in ovariectomized rats). The CR BNO 1055 extract inhibited the development of hot flashes and the development of osteoporosis.
Most importantly, the study emphasizes: "In postmenopausal women, CR BNO 1055 reduced major symptoms of menopause with the same effectiveness as conjugated estrogens and significantly better than placebo. Similar data have been published for other European CR preparations, while two US American preparations were ineffective. This was most likely due to excessive doses or contamination with Asian Cimicifuga preparations. In all European studies, no effects on the uterus or mammary glands were observed.
The active compounds in CR are likely neurotransmitter mimetic: dopaminergic, noradrenergic, serotoninergic and GABAergic effects have been demonstrated, and some have been structurally identified."
In conclusion, the study showed that low doses of Cimicifuga racemosa extracts "are effective in relieving menopausal symptoms but do not cause adverse estrogenic effects. These results strengthen the role of CR extracts as a replacement for HRT."
*CR: Cimicifuga racemosa.
Read what to eat during premenopause and menopause.
Anti-inflammatory compounds and other uses of Cimicifuga rubifolia in menopause and beyond
Cimicifuga, although it does not contain phytoestrogens comparable to the estrogen-like effects of isoflavones in soy, does contain small amounts of anti-inflammatory compounds, including salicylic acid (found in traditional aspirin).
Other uses for which Cimicifuga racemosa is considered useful include:
menstrual disorders;
Joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis;
Other symptoms of menopause such as mood swings, heart palpitations and vaginal dryness.*
Most notably, among studies supporting the effectiveness of Cimicifuga rubifolia, a 2017 meta-analysis* found that Cimicifuga rubifolia (racemosa) reduced vasomotor symptoms of menopause compared to a placebo in women with an intact uterus.
Contraindications of Cimicifuga
The most important side effects, although they are quite rare and can occur in higher doses, include gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, dizziness, low blood pressure and nausea. In addition, its use is not recommended in patients with aspirin sensitivity, hormone-sensitive tumors (for example, some types of breast cancer), high blood pressure, stroke and liver disease. It could make some chemotherapy drugs such as tamoxifen and irinotecan less effective.
Final thoughts on the effects of Cimicifuga during menopause
The student condotti finora concordano nel sostenere che i composti contenti nella Cimicifuga sembrano contrastare efficacemente i sintomi del climaterio.
In ambito medico, the climate is the term used to indicate the period that precedes or segues the menopause in the middle age and the andropausa negli uomini. Questo periodo is associated with a disorder come dismenorrea, vampate di heat e osteoporosi, which also causes significant fluttuazioni ormonali nell'organismo.
In particolare, the action of the Cimicifuga also manifests itself in the regulation of the sostanze chimiche come the dopamina and the serotonina present in the cervello, which may be influenced by the alterazioni ormonali tipiche of the periods pre-menopausal and menopausal.
Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter released by the brain and has a variety of functions in humans and other animals. Some of its notable features include:
Movement;
Memory;
Pleasant reward;
behavior and cognitive functions;
Attention;
suppression of prolactin production;
Sleep;
Mood;
Learn.*
Serotonin
It is called the neurotransmitter of good mood, while norepinephrine promotes irritability, depression and anxiety in premenopausal and menopausal women.
Changes in these neurotransmitters can also cause hot flashes due to abnormalities in body thermoregulation* (menopausa.it), increased appetite and night sweats.
Finally
The studies conducted to date are unanimous in claiming that black cohosh plays an active role in reducing menopausal symptoms.
How to take Cimicifuga
The most practical way to take Cimicifuga is in the form of a dietary supplement made from the dry extract of the plant. It is useful to combat the typical symptoms of menopause and can be combined with soy isoflavones to enhance the beneficial effects in relieving the symptoms of menopause.
Cimicifuga can be taken in combination with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D3, B6 and calcium, which have a protective effect on bones. Finally, it can be combined with plant extracts that promote sleep and relaxation and reduce anxiety and irritability.
In any case, before taking nutritional supplements, your general health should be clear and any contraindications should be checked. Always consult your doctor for advice.
