A new laboratory study, published in Phytomedicine, suggests that extracts from black cohosh, an herb most commonly used to reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, may stop breast cancer cells in their tracks. This adds more evidence to a small but growing body of research suggesting that black cohosh could have a use in breast cancer prevention.Black cohosh (Cimicifugae racemosae rhizome), is a perennial plant native to North America, is a member of the buttercup family. It has long been a popular alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in many countries. In the UK, 9 million days’ worth of black cohosh supplements were purchased in 2004.The inhibition of the growth of breast cancer cells was related to an induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis).
"These results corroborate the results of our previous studies indicating that the growth inhibitory effect of actein or an extract of black cohosh is associated with activation of specific stress response pathways and apoptosis," wrote the researchers, referring to their studies published earlier this year in Anticancer Research and the International Journal of Cancer.Although the results are promising, further research is needed to determine whether the herb can be effectively used as a breast cancer chemopreventive agent.
First of all, for those of you who are new to the newsletter; let me make it perfectly clear that while I view herbs as frequently helpful and virtually non-toxic when compared to patent drugs, they rarely treat the cause of the disease. I view most of them as symptomatic band-aids. They should rarely be used without addressing the underlying cause of the disease, which is precisely what I address in the hundreds of thousands of pages on my site.
Having said that, black cohosh was first listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia (the nation's official drug reference book), from 1820 to 1926. But at that point, drug manufacturers began focusing almost exclusively on synthetic molecules that, unlike herbs, could be patented and used to make big profits. So research stopped, and medicinal plants like black cohosh were dropped from use in conventional medicine.
However, in more recent years, studies have shown that black cohosh is nearly as effective as estrogen -- and far more effective than placebo pills -- at treating hot flashes, and is also useful in managing the mood swings and irritability that can accompany menopause. And now we’re beginning to see its value in dealing with cancer.
The catch-22 is that black cohosh has also been found to interfere with drugs and radiation treatments used in conventional cancer therapy by:
Therefore, if you’re being treated for breast cancer through conventional cancer treatments you should definitely consult with your physician before using black cohosh on your own.
Cancer treatment is one that I typically don't focus on for a variety of reasons. But needless to say, there are a large variety of naturally-based treatments that you could use for cancer, in which black cohosh would not be a problem.
There are also a number of other options available that can help you prevent breast cancer.
My Cancer-Busting Dozen Approaches
I believe you can VIRTUALLY ELIMINATE your cancer risk and radically improve your risk of recovering from cancer if you currently have it. All you need to do is follow these relatively simple risk reduction strategies. You won’t read or hear much about them because they have not been formally "proven" yet by conservative researchers. However, most people do not know that 85 percent of therapies currently recommended by conventional medicine have never been formally proven either.
So here are the Twelve Strategies