Black Cohosh for Hot Flashes in Menopause

Jun 26, 2024

Written by Maria Chow

Black Cohosh for Hot Flashes in Menopause

When a hot flash hits, it feels like an intense wave of heat starting from your chest and rapidly spreading to your face and the rest of your body. Your skin feels like it’s on fire, and you start sweating profusely, even if the room is cool. It's uncomfortable and might be embarrassing, especially when it happens in public or during meetings.

The unpredictability of hot flashes can make you anxious because you never know when the next one will strike, and that constant worry can be exhausting. Many women feel self-conscious, fearing others will notice and judge them. The suddenness disrupts their focus, making it hard to concentrate on anything else.

If any of this sounds familiar then keep reading my friend!

Because we have an herbal ally that has supported women for hundreds of years to navigate menopause and hot flashes with coolness, compassion and grace.

Understanding Hot Flashes

Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, often accompanied by physical and emotional changes. Among these, hot flashes can be particularly challenging. However, with the right natural remedies and a shift in perspective, menopause can be embraced as a time of spiritual empowerment and health. One powerful ally in this journey is Black Cohosh, a traditional herbal remedy known for its ability to manage hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.

Fortunately hot flashes completely safe! They are not a sign of illness. But they are often the number one complaint for many women. While the exact cause of hot flashes is not fully understood, most research suggests that hot flashes occur when decreased estrogen levels cause your body's thermostat (hypothalamus) to become more sensitive to slight changes in body temperature. When the hypothalamus thinks your body is too warm, it starts a chain of events — a hot flash — to cool you down. (1)

Risk factors

Not all women who go through menopause have hot flashes, and it's not clear why some women do have them. Factors that may increase your risk include:

Smoking. Women who smoke are more likely to get hot flashes.
Obesity. A high body mass index (BMI) is associated with a higher frequency of hot flashes.
Race. More black women report having hot flashes during menopause than do women of other races. Hot flashes are reported least frequently in Asian women.(1)

How do they feel?

If you are reading this post, my guess is that you know what a hot flash feels like, and you are looking for relief. If you have not felt one yet, let me describe how I feel about them. They can feel like an intense wave of heat starting from my chest and rapidly spreading to my face and the rest of my body. My heart starts beating more rapidly, my skin feels like it’s on fire, then I start sweating and then get cold. In the span of a few minutes, I take my long sleeve off and then have to put it back on. They only last about a minute, but it seems like a long time. And I need to breathe and relax to allow this powerful surge to pass through my body without resistance. The more relaxed I am, the easier it is for me to manage.

If you are looking for a simple remedy to try by itself or in combination with other remedies consider Black Cohosh.

Black Cohosh Root

Black Cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa), a plant native to North America, has been used for centuries by Native American tribes and herbalists to support supports the female hormonal and nervous systems. Cimicifuga racemosa extracts (CRE) have obtained a “well-established use status” in the treatment of postmenopausal (i.e., climacteric) complaints, which predominantly include vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes and sweating, as well as nervousness, irritability, and metabolic changes. (2)

Here's how Black Cohosh for hot flashes can help:

1. Alleviating Hot Flashes:
- Black Cohosh is known for its ability to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes it does this by affecting the body temperature regulation. Black cohosh contains phytochemicals that have a serotonin-like effect, which can impact the body's ability to regulate temperature. Black cohosh also contains phytoestrogens and alkaloids, which may have similar effects to estrogen in women going through menopause. (3)

2. Supporting Emotional Well-Being:
- Beyond physical symptoms, menopause can bring emotional challenges. Black Cohosh has calming properties that help alleviate mood swings, anxiety, and irritability, promoting emotional stability. The root of the plant contains phytochemicals that can have a range of effects in the body, including:

Neurotransmitters

Black cohosh may boost neurotransmitters in the brain that can make you feel good. It may also help with serotonin receptors in the brain, which may be why it can help with hot flashes.
Hormones

Black cohosh may increase or decrease estrogen levels in different parts of the body. Some say it can help maintain hormone balance.

3. Improving Sleep Quality:

- By reducing the symptoms that cause sleep disturbance. Because of its effectiveness on night sweats and hot flashes and its ability to relax muscle tension, women are better able to sleep, allowing for more restful and restorative nights and brighter mornings.

Natural Strategies to Manage Hot Flashes

In addition to Black Cohosh, several lifestyle changes and natural remedies can help manage hot flashes and enhance overall well-being during menopause:

1. Mediation and Mindful Breathing
- Practicing mindful breathing and meditation can reduce stress and promote a sense of calm. These techniques help in managing the emotional impact of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Here is a cooling water meditation to try.

Birth Song Botanicals · Guided Meditation For Water Element

2. Healthy Diet:
- A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can support overall health. Foods high in phytoestrogens, such as soy, flaxseeds, and legumes, may help balance hormones and reduce hot flashes.

3. Regular Exercise:
- Physical activity improves overall health, reduces stress, and helps manage weight. Activities like qigong, yoga, walking, and swimming can be particularly beneficial during menopause.

4. Hydration:
- Staying hydrated can help regulate body temperature and reduce the intensity of hot flashes. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is essential.

5. Herbal Teas:
- Herbal teas such as tulsi, chamomile, peppermint, motherwort, and red clover can provide soothing relief. These teas are known for their calming effects and may help reduce the frequency of hot flashes. Woman's Wisdom Herbal Tea for Menopause blended to support hormone balance, bone health, heart health, mood support and mental clarity.

I'd also like to give you a simple cooling herbal tea for hot flashes and night sweats that you can make for your self.

Mix the herbs together. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 2 tsp herb mix. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain. Drink 1-2 cups daily.

Take 3 mL black cohosh tincture with the tea for more cooling results.

Menopause, with its myriad of changes, is a natural part of life that can be navigated with grace and empowerment. By integrating natural remedies like Black Cohosh and adopting healthy lifestyle practices, women can manage hot flashes and other symptoms naturally.

I hope this serves you as you navigate these natural changes with herbal support, coolness, compassion and grace.

Hugs,
Maria

🌿

Quick Ordering: Black Cohosh for Hot Flashes and Menopausal Support

References:

(1) Mayo Clinic-https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/symptoms-causes/syc-20352790

(2) Science Direct- Cimicifuga Racemosa Extract

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/cimicifuga-racemosa-extract

(3) Cleveland Clinc- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-black-cohosh

(4) Mount Sinai- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/black-cohosh

I sincerely hope this helps!

Hugs,
Maria