Also known as squawroot, black snakeroot or bugbane, cimicifuga foetida or black cohosh is a perennial herb found in the wood lands of Canada and the states that line the Atlantic seaboard. The rhizome and roots are the parts of the plant used medicinally.

Black cohosh balances hormone levels in both men and women. It's most important in maintaining the therapeutic response to estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) as ERT is gradually withdrawn. Additionally, black cohosh is beneficial in treating stress related symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause if intolerable side effects caused by psychoactive medications surface.

Black cohosh also soothes sore throats and nourishes the respiratory system.

Black cohosh is beneficial in treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause-related problems and blurred vision. By providing powerful plant compounds called phytoestrogens that mimic the effects of estrogen; black cohosh can offset a decline in estrogen. By binding to hormone receptors in the uterus, breast and other parts of the body, the phytoestrogens can help lessen many hormone-related problems including dizziness, depressed mood, vaginal dryness, headaches and hot flashes. In fact, many experts consider black cohosh to be a useful substitute for estrogen replacement therapy.

Unlike conventional hormone replacement therapy, which when taken over the long-term has been linked to increased risk of breast cancer, black cohosh does not appear to stimulate the growth of breast tumors. In fact, some experts believe that phytoestrogens may actually prevent tumor growth by keeping the body's own estrogen from stimulating breast cells.

Moreover, black cohosh is especially useful in treating blurred vision and migraine associated PMS because of its ability to regulate estrogen production before menopause. Discomforts associated with menstruation can also be lessened with black cohosh's antispasmodic properties.

Infertility: Ferulic acid, which is a chemical constituent in black cohosh, can protect cell walls from oxidation by compounds released from toxins in the environment resulting in increased motility and viability of sperm cells.

Fibroids: Within black cohosh are at least three classes of compounds, which act to regulate hormone use by first reducing estrogen activity when estrogen levels are high and also stimulating estrogen production when estrogen levels are low.

Black cohosh is available tablet, tincture, capsule and fluidextract form. Side effects may include upset stomach. Black cohosh should not be taken by girls who have not reached puberty, pregnant and/or nursing women and anyone with an estrogen-sensitive cancer.