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What is black cohosh and dong quai?
Black cohosh and dong quai are claimed to reduce menopause symptoms and possibly induce labor in pregnant women, but there’s no evidence to support this. Vitamin C. Vitamin C is recommended online alongside black cohosh to help induce miscarriage or abortion in the case of an unwanted pregnancy.
Who should not take black cohosh?
Black cohosh may not be safe for:
- Women who are pregnant (although it is sometimes used to induce labor)
- Women who have — or have had — breast cancer or uterine cancer.
- Women who have endometriosis.
- Children under 18.
- People with liver disease, a high risk of stroke or blood clots, or seizure disorders.
Will black cohosh make you gain weight?
When taken by mouth: Black cohosh is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken appropriately by adults for up to one year. It can cause some mild side effects such as stomach upset, cramping, headache, rash, a feeling of heaviness, vaginal spotting or bleeding, and weight gain.
What does dong quai do for menopause?
Possibly Effective for Menopausal symptoms. Various combination products that contain dong quai seem to reduce menopausal symptoms. Taking a specific product containing dong quai and chamomile (Climex) seems to reduce hot flushes in menopausal women.
Does dong quai interact with any medications?
Dong quai may interact with some medications and herbs, includin the following: Blood thinners (anticoagulants and antiplatelets: Dong quai may raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin.
How does dong quai affect estrogen?
Dong quai exhibits estrogenic activity in vitro (15) and stimulates proliferation of MCF-7 cells (16) (17). Patients with hormone-sensitive cancers should consult with their physicians before using this herb.
Is 540 mg of black cohosh too much to take?
Here’s what I found on WebMD: “For menopausal symptoms, the dose of black cohosh used in studies has been 20-40 milligram tablets of a standardized extract taken twice a day. More than 900 milligrams a day of black cohosh is considered an overdose.
What happens if you take too much dong quai?
Dong quai can be harmful if you take too much. Some of its compounds can make your skin sensitive to the sun and cause a rash. Others have been shown to cause cancer and birth defects in animals. Other reports suggest that taking the root can sometimes cause fever and heavy menstrual bleeding.
Does dong quai raise estrogen?
Conclusion(s): Used alone, dong quai does not produce estrogen-like responses in endometrial thickness or in vaginal maturation and was no more helpful than placebo in relieving menopausal symptoms.
What can you not take with dong quai?
Dong quai may interact with the following medications and herbs:
- Warfarin. Dong quai may increase the potency and, therefore, potential risks of blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin.
- Hormone medications.
- Blood-thinning herbs.
- Herbs or medications that cause sun sensitivity.
Does dong quai balance hormones?
Dong Quai: a Chinese herb used a lot in western herbal medicine. It’s commonly used to balance hormone excesses and deficits. It’s excellent for treating absent or painful menstruation and menopausal symptoms.
Are there any side effects of black cohosh and Dong quai?
There is no known connection between dong quai and breast cancer. The estrogen-like properties in black cohosh and dong quai may affect certain hormone-related conditions such as ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and endometriosis.
Is it safe to take black cohosh during pregnancy?
While black cohosh and dong quai may have many benefits, you must also weigh the negative effects associated with ingesting these herbs. Always consult your physician before use of any herbal treatment. Most researchers warn against the use of both black cohosh and dong quai during pregnancy.
Are there any health benefits to taking black cohosh?
Black cohosh and dong quai are claimed to reduce menopause symptoms and possibly induce labor in pregnant women, but there’s no evidence to support this. Vitamin C. Vitamin C is recommended online alongside black cohosh to help induce miscarriage or abortion in the case of an unwanted pregnancy.
When did Lydia Pinkham start using black cohosh?
Black cohosh was also an ingredient in Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound, an herbal menstrual cramp remedy popular in the early 1900s. Today, black cohosh is mainly used to help treat symptoms associated with menopause. Read on to learn more about how it’s used and the potential side effects.