Features -Herbal menopause cures lack proof

There is no convincing evidence that herbal remedies commonly taken to relieve troublesome menopausal symptoms actually work, say experts.
And some 'natural' treatments, like black cohosh, can cause serious harm, says the Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB).

There was some clinical trial data on black cohosh, but the results were "equivocal", with some studies suggesting that the remedy works well, while others suggested that it did not relieve symptoms effectively.

Black cohosh in particular has been linked with liver damage, although this is rare.

Polls suggest 40% of UK women have used complementary and alternative therapies for their menopausal symptoms.
Common remedies include red clover, Dong quai and evening primrose oil.
Others include ginseng, wild yam extract, chaste tree, hops, sage leaf, and kava kava.

Published studies are often poorly designed, include too few participants, or don't last long enough to be of real value, and the chemical make-up of various preparations of the same herb may differ, which can make it difficult to compare trial results, says the DTB.

Jenny Jones of the Herb Society said: "A lack of evidence does not necessarily mean a lack of effect. Not much clinical research has been done and we do need more. But there is not the funding to do this type of work.
"As a practitioner I can tell you these remedies do work for some women."

Full Story at BBC News

Page updated:20 February 2009