Black Cohosh Root

What is Black Cohosh Root Extract?
The Extract of Black Cohosh Root (Cimicifuga racemosa: Cimicifugae racemosae rhizoma).

For What is Black Cohosh Root Extract Used?
Long used for PMS discomfort, dysmenorrhea, menopause. 

How is Black Cohosh Root Extract Used?
Menopause is a non-event for many women, but for those who suffer symptoms, it is a trying time. Many women are prevented from participating in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as treatment for menopause, or they simply do not want it. Black Cohosh may provide these women with a safe, cost-effective, and clinically proven alternative.
The cimicifuga plant (Black Cohosh) has been shown in numerous studies to be both safe and effective, and is widely used in Europe and the US to relieve the symptoms commonly associated with PMS and menopause (particularly hot flashes, menstrual cramps, changes to the vaginal lining and even low mood). It also has a long history of use in the US among American Indians. The extract of this plant is sold in great quantities in the US and Europe under the trade name Remifemin. Results of tests comparing Remifemin to combination treatment with estrogens and diazepam have shown treatment with Remifemin to be superior as measured by the Kupperman Menopausal Index. Other tests such as the Self-evaluation For Depression Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Inventory, and the Clinical Global Impression Scale--all recognized and trusted measures of clinical efficacy--have been used in studies evaluating the performance of Black Cohosh extract, and Black Cohosh has proven itself time and again. In one study, relief of symptoms began in just four weeks in over 80% of test subjects and complete remission of symptoms was achieved in only 6 to 8 weeks for a large percentage of these women!

How Does Black Cohosh Root Work?
According to some recent research, the previous hypothesis that Black Cohosh has a mild estrogen-like action, can no longer be supported. Several studies have shown that Black Cohosh is, however, a phytoestrogen. This means that it binds to estrogen receptors. These two claims are not conflicting, as it may seem at first blush, because there can be a compound that binds to a receptor site (compounds that bind to receptors are called "ligands"), yet still does not exert the influence that the receptors' usual binding agent would (in this case, estradiol). As to Black Cohosh's activity, there seems to be at least three synergistically working modes of action: 1. there are compounds that bind to estrogen receptors and suppress the release of leutinizing hormone (LH); 2. there are non-binding supressors of LH, and; 3. there are estrogen receptor ligands that do not suppress LH. Black Cohosh does not seem to affect FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) levels. In EVERY study we have read, Black Cohosh for relief of symptoms of menopause has shown great success.

For more information on Black Cohosh, see this ARTICLE from the American Academy of Family Physicians (Benjamin Kligler, M.D., M.P.H.).

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Popularity of isoflavones - The importance of isoflavones is widely appreciated and is currently the subject of intense research and discussions. Isoflavones appear to protect against hormone-related disorders such as breast cancer and prostate cancers.
The chemical structure of isoflavones is very similar to that of our own estrogen. Isoflavones can increase estrogen activity. If during menopause the body's natural level of estrogen drops, isoflavones can compensate by binding to same receptor sites thereby easing menopause symptoms as a result.

The best way to consume isoflavones is in the form soy, so you can benefit from other healthy components of soy. Soy contains many types of isoflavones, but the most beneficial are genistein and daidzein. The highest amounts of isoflavones can be found in soy nuts and tempeh. Isoflavones are fairly stable. Under normal cooking methods, isoflavones are not destroyed.

Health benefits of isoflavones

Research in several areas of healthcare has shown that consumption of isoflavones may play a role in lowering risk for disease. Isoflavones can fight disease on several fronts. The following potential health benefits are attributed to isoflavones:

• Ease menopause symptoms - The benefits of soy go beyond reducing long-term cancer risk. Recent studies have found that soy isoflavones can reduce menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and increase bone density in women. Indeed, many menopausal and post-menopausal health problems may result from a lack of isoflavones in the typical Western diet. Although study results are not entirely consistent, isoflavones from soy or red clover may be helpful for symptoms of menopause.
  
• Reduce heart disease risk - Soy isoflavones also appear to reduce cardiovascular disease risk via several distinct mechanisms. Isoflavones inhibit the growth of cells that form artery clogging plaque. These arteries usually form blood clots which can lead to a heart attack. A review of 38 controlled studies on soy and heart disease concluded that soy is definitely effective for improving cholesterol profile. There is some evidence that isoflavones are the active ingredients in soy responsible for improving cholesterol profile.
  
• Isoflavones improve bone health - Soy Isoflavones help in the preservation of the bone substance and fight osteoporosis. This is the reason why people in China and Japan very rarely have osteoporosis, despite their low consumption of dairy products, whereas in Europe and North America the contrary happens. Unlike estrogen, which helps prevent the destruction of bone, evidence suggests that isoflavones may also assist in creating new bone. Other studies are not entirely consistent, but evidence suggests that genistein and other soy isoflavones can help prevent osteoporosis.
  
• Reduce cancer risk - Isoflavones act against cancer cells in a way similar to many common cancer-treating drugs. Population-based studies show a strong association between consumption of isoflavones and a reduced risk of breast and endometrial cancer. Women who ate the most soy products and other foods rich in isoflavones reduced their risk of endometrial cancer by 54%.
  

Isoflavones are natural plant hormones

Isoflavones can be found in many foods but the best known source of isoflavones is the soybean (Glycine max). The soy isoflavones are responsible for most of the soy health benefits. The Soybean is a plant cultivated as foodstuff whose health properties have recently been discovered. Thorough studies have revealed that the consumption of the soy beans or soy foods containing isoflavones have favourable effects on people's health. Another source of isoflavones is red clover. As opposed to soy beans, red clover is normally not eaten but the isoflavones are extracted and used to make isoflavones supplements.

Isoflavones are natural antioxidants

A recent study has demonstrated that isoflavones have potent antioxidant properties, comparable to that of vitamin E. The anti-oxidant powers of isoflavones can reduce the long-term risk of cancer by preventing free radical damage to DNA. Genistein is the most potent antioxidant among the soy isoflavones, followed by daidzein.

For this isoflavones information and more, see http://www.isoflavones.info/

Description	Magnolia bark (Magnolia officinalis) is a traditional Chinese medicine (where it is known in TCM as houpu or hou po) used since 100 A.D. for treating "stagnation of qi" (low energy) as well as a variety of syndromes, such as digestive disturbances caused by emotional distress and emotional turmoil.
Claims	Magnolia bark is used as a general anti-stress and anti-anxiety agent - so its claims typically center on general benefits in controlling stress and anxiety. Newer claims are emerging, however, to link magnolia's anti-stress benefits with control of the body's primary stress hormone, cortisol, and the myriad health benefits associated with normal cortisol levels (versus elevated cortisol, which has been associated with obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, memory problems and suppressed immune function).
Theory	Magnolia bark is rich in two biphenol compounds, (magnolol and honokiol), which are thought to contribute to the primary anti-stress and cortisol-lowering effects of the plant. The magnolol content of magnolia bark is generally in the range of 2-10 percent, while honokiol tends to occur naturally at 1-5 percent in dried magnolia bark. Magnolia bark also contains a bit less than 1 percent of an essential oil known as eudesmol, which is classified as a triterpene compound, and may provide some additional benefits as an antioxidant.
Scientific Support	Two of the most popular herbal medicines used in Japan, one called saiboku-to and another called hange-kobuku-to, contain magnolia bark and have been used for treating ailments from bronchial asthma to depression to anxiety. Japanese researchers have determined that the magnolol and honokiol components of Magnolia officinalis are one thousand times more potent than alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) in their antioxidant activity, thereby offering a potential heart-health benefit. Other research groups have shown both magnolol and honokiol to possess powerful "brain-health" benefits via their actions in modulating the activity of various neurotransmitters and related enzymes in the brain (increased choline acetyltransferase activity, inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, and increased acetylcholine release). Numerous animal studies have demonstrated honokiol to act as a central-nervous-system depressant at high doses, but as a non-sedating anxiolytic (anti-anxiety and anti-stress) agent at lower doses. This means that a small dose of honokiol, or a magnolia bark extract standardized for honokiol content, can help to "de-stress" you without making you sleepy, while a larger dose might have the effect of knocking you out. When compared to pharmaceutical agents such as Valium (diazepam), honokiol appears to be as effective in its anti-anxiety activity, yet not nearly as powerful in its sedative ability. These results have been demonstrated in at least half a dozen animal studies and suggest that magnolia-bark extracts standardized for honokiol content would be an appropriate approach for controlling the detrimental effects of everyday stressors without the tranquilizing side effects of pharmaceutical agents.

For this Magnolia Bark Extract information and more, see http://www.supplementwatch.com/supatoz/supplement.asp?supplementId=380

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