Comprehensive Gynecology

Comprehensive Gynecology

Comprehensive Gynecology

Black cohosh is a very popular herbal supplement for pregnant women, most commonly used to ripen and prepare the cervix for labor. It is also frequently used by midwives and naturopathic obstetricians to induce labor that has gone past term. While black cohosh remains extremely common among advocates of natural birth, its use is controversial in the mainstream medical community because some perceive it as unsafe.

How Black Cohosh Works

Traditionally, black cohosh has been used to treat a wide spectrum of gynecological problems and other ailments. It has historically been considered to be a virtual panacea among the practitioners of Native American herbalism, and it is used for the treatment of sore throat, depression, menopause, ammenorrhea, menstrual cramps, common pregnancy complications, and infertility. It has also been used for inducing labor and lactation.

Black cohosh's effects on the female endoctrine and reproductive systems can be explained by the estrogen-like compounds contained in the root and leaves of the plant. These natural herbal compounds, called phytoestrogens, trigger the body into "believing" that it is experiencing increased levels of estrogen production, leading to noticeable effects on the uterus, ovaries, endometrium, and breasts.