BLACK COHOSH -- THE REAL STORY The safety of black cohosh is well documented in many medical journals -- the 'Journal of Clinical Oncology is just one of them ...

A controversy bobs its head up yet again, frightening the tens of thousands of women around the world who rely on natural alternatives daily to alleviate their menopausal symptoms. The latest unnecessary scare comes from a paper presented at the American Association for Cancer Researchs Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. on 12 July which was mis-reported in some of our media. In the presentation, lead researcher Vicki Davis in fact announced that amongst other findings, ...black cohosh did not seem to increase the risk of the mice actually developing mammary tumours."

-- Here we go again!

A controversy bobs its head up yet again, frightening the tens of thousands of women around the world who rely on natural alternatives daily to alleviate their menopausal symptoms.

The latest unnecessary scare comes from a paper presented at the American Association for Cancer Researchs Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. on 12 July which was mis-reported in some of our media. In the presentation, lead researcher Vicki Davis in fact announced that amongst other findings, ...black cohosh did not seem to increase the risk of the mice actually developing mammary tumours."

With breast cancer now one of the most widely researched cancers in the world, it is more important than ever to keep women accurately informed of medical breakthroughs and major developments in the fight against this deadly disease. Sadly however, there are a number of small and misleading studies, such as the one above, which was performed on genetically engineered mice; that cause women to unnecessarily question the safety of natural menopausal remedies -- treatments that have been scientifically proven, time and again, to be medically safe and highly effective.    

One particular black cohosh extract, in the form of a standardised extract from Germany -- called Remifemin -- has been used by German doctors for over 45 years and has scientific studies and research throughout all this time proving its safety and efficacy [6]. This black cohosh extract is the most widely studied of all black cohosh. Recent research has also shown that Remifemin actually inhibits breast cancer cell growth [1, 4, 5] and can boost the effects of anti cancer drugs such as Tamoxifen [2]. As well, black cohosh alleviates the side effects of more aggressive chemotherapies throughout treatment of breast cancer. In fact, there is a Patent in Japan for black cohosh usage during chemotherapy.

Black cohosh is one of the oldest and most highly regarded natural remedies available -- it has been used in North America for centuries by the Native Americans and then later by the 'new comers. Its use has been approved by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, mostly because of its safety.

Importantly, the most authoritative oncology journal in the world, the Journal of Clinical Oncology, also documents [3] the safety of black cohosh in women with breast cancer. It is also the preferred natural choice for menopause symptoms by the Natural Therapies Unit at the Royal Womens Hospital in Randwick, Sydney.

It is not right that a misinterpretation of a study can cause tens of thousands of women undue stress and concern for no valid reason -- they should be relieved and reassured to be able to use a natural and safe alternative! In these times, with the uncertainty of HRT and related medications, it is comforting to know that women can manage their menopausal symptoms with a perfectly safe and proven natural remedy.

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For further information please call:
Andrew Decker, phone: 03 9596 6911
E-mail     - inform@remifemin.com.au
Web site - www.remifemin.com    ; (SmithKline Beecham)

Published References;
1.   Freudenstein J., and Bodinet C.: Influence of an Isopropanolic acqueous extract of Cimicifugae racemosa rhizoma on the proliferation of MCF 7 cells. Poster, 23. Int. LOF-Symposium Phyto-Oestrogens", Gent, January 1999.
2.   Freudenstein J., Dasenbrock C., Niblein T.: Lack of promotion of oestrogen dependent mammary gland tumors in vivo by an isopropanolic Black Cohosh extract. Abstract 3rd International Congress on Phytomedicine, Munich, Germany, October 2000.
3.   Jacobson JS, Troxel AB, Evan J, et al.: Randomized trial of black cohosh for the treatment of hot flashes among women with a history of breast cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology 19: 2739-2745, 2001.
4.   Nessulhut T., Schellhase C., Dietrich R. et al.: Untersuchungen zur proliferation Potenz von Phytopharmaka mit oestrogenahnlicher Wirkung bei Mammkarzinom-Zellen. Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. 254 1993.
5.   Dixon-Shanies D., Shaikh N.: Growth inhibition of human breast cancer cells by herbs and phytoestrogens. Oncology reports 1999.
6.   German Federal Health Authorities, Commission E monograph.