Any of you "mature" women taking black cohosh?

[CathyA]

I have been overly hot my whole life. It's a real pain. In perimenopause it was worse. It was one long hot flash that lasted years.
A few years after menopause, I finally cooled down. It was great! But it didn't last. Now I'm having the sweats if I do anything.
I'm thinking of trying black cohosh. Has anyone actually tried this, and what was your experience?

I am on a small dose of sertraline (zoloft), and I've heard that can make sweating worse. What a drag it is to sweat so much and so often. I could go all winter without a coat, and wearing short sleeves.

[Sad Eyed Lady]

When I was going through menopause, the only real symptom I had that bothered me was insomnia. I took black cohosh and it really helped me. I have recommended it to many people, but I don't know if it has helped with other symptoms as much or not. It does take awhile since it is an herb and not an overnight cure. I have been cold all my life, and I sworn I had "cold flashes". So cold from the inside out that I could just not get warm. But, black cohosh did help my sleepless nights. I hope it works well for you.

[Bethers]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31OvKwd-ogL.jpgI never had much luck with black cohosh but this --- Eight Flavor Rehmannia Teapills (Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan) worked really well. I found out about it when I was reading up on traditional Chinese medicine and the book said a lot of women in China use this preparation. I picked it up on Amazon.

[CathyA]

Thanks Sad Eyed Lady and Bethers.
I wonder if either of these supplements can't be taken with other prescription meds?

[Bethers]

Thanks Sad Eyed Lady and Bethers.
I wonder if either of these supplements can't be taken with other prescription meds?

This link lists the herbs in the tea pills with some contraindications. The herbs are listed with their Chinese name, but if you click on them, it gives further information with the English name as well. That might give a bit of a starting point to help figure out if the herb is okay with certain meds.

http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/herbalmedicine/tcm-formulas/zhi-bai-di-huang-wan-eight-flavor-rehmannia-teapills

[Sad Eyed Lady]

Thanks Sad Eyed Lady and Bethers.
I wonder if either of these supplements can't be taken with other prescription meds?
I don't know about black cohosh interacting with prescription meds because I wasn't taking any and didn't have that to think about. Maybe research it well or check with your natural health food store, or ask a pharmacist. Hope something works for you!

[reader99]

When I was going through menopause, the only real symptom I had that bothered me was insomnia. I took black cohosh and it really helped me. I have recommended it to many people, but I don't know if it has helped with other symptoms as much or not. It does take awhile since it is an herb and not an overnight cure. I have been cold all my life, and I sworn I had "cold flashes". So cold from the inside out that I could just not get warm. But, black cohosh did help my sleepless nights. I hope it works well for you.

I get cold flashes when I've eaten something to which I'm allergic. SO cold, bone deep cold and no amount of heat or clothes will fix it until the allergic reaction passes off.

[reader99]

I had excellent results with parsley. A teaspoon or two per serving in everything I ate, three times a day consistently, really cut the hot flashes down.

[Sad Eyed Lady]

I get cold flashes when I've eaten something to which I'm allergic. SO cold, bone deep cold and no amount of heat or clothes will fix it until the allergic reaction passes off.

That's interesting because I do have some food allergies. I have the itching, hives, and some breathing problems but now that I know what I am allergic to, (for about 10 years now I guess since I was diagnosed), I avoid those things and haven't had any real problems. But the cold flashes; humm.... I wonder if it could be from something I am just mildly allergic to and not enough to get the other symptoms? I've never connected them too food but they are like you said - nothing can warm me up. Cold from the inside out.