It might, but it will probably have a lot to do with what’s causing your sleep problem.
Black cohosh is effective in treating symptoms of perimenopause and menopause like hot flashes and night sweats. This is because it produces results similar to estrogen. So if menopause is as an underlying cause of your sleeplessness, you may find relief and sleep better by taking black cohosh.
Interest has been shown in black cohosh to help reduce the inflammation of arthritis, to help lower blood pressure, to treat high cholesterol, and for osteoporosis and headaches. It’s even being looked at as a preventive measure for prostate cancer.
Black cohosh is a perennial plant in the buttercup family and native to North American. Other names for the plant are squawroot and snakeroot. Indigenous people used it for a variety of health concerns, gynecological and menopausal problems, to induce lactation, and for constipation, hives, kidney, and colds and coughs.
Black cohosh is an herbal supplement, and is prepared from the root of the plant. It’s available in capsule, tablet, powder, tea, and tincture forms.
Unfortunately, unlike some other herbal supplements, black cohosh does come with baggage. After using black cohosh, some people experience side effects such as stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headaches, and some literature reports liver and gastric problems. Weight gain is also mentioned. Most side effects are associated with higher doses of the supplement.
Black cohosh also comes with do-not-take warnings. Children should not take black cohosh, and people with liver problems, or those at risk for stroke, blood clots, and seizures should avoid it. You shouldn’t take black cohosh if you take birth control pills, are pregnant or nursing, you have had or you are at risk for breast or uterine cancer, or you have endometriosis. Nor should you take black cohosh if you have an allergy to aspirin. Some health practitioners view black cohosh as they do caffeine and other stimulants, and for that reason recommend that you don’t use it.
If you’re thinking of trying black cohosh, you’re advised to start with a visit to the doctor. Before using black cohosh you’ll want to get a thorough evaluation of your sleep problem and your health.
For example, you may have depression or be suffering from stress, either of which could be contributing to your sleep problem, or you may have a physical problem other than menopause underlying your sleeplessness.
Also be aware that many people solve their sleep problems by making behavioral changes to diet and exercise, and in their sleep routine. You may be able to improve your sleep by asking your doctor for more information about the kinds of changes you can make without taking drugs or herbal remedies.
If you do have a health problem underlying your sleeplessness, you need to know about that and treat it. Following that review, discuss black cohosh with your doctor to determine if it’s a possible solution for you. If so, you’ll need to work with your doctor to set a safe dosage, and most health care practitioners recommend that no one take black cohosh for longer than six months.
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