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If using an isopropanolic extract (usually sold under the brand name of Remifemin), 20-40 mg daily is used in doses of 20 mg; taking 20 mg results in a once daily dosing, whereas taking 40 mg is twice daily dosing of the 20 mg. This dosage (20-40 mg) confers 1-2 mg of triterpenoid glycosides.
If using an aqueous:ethanolic extract of black cohosh root (ie. not Remifemin) then doses range from 64-128 mg daily which are usually taken in two divided doses. This contributed about the same amount of triterpenoid glycosides.
It is not known whether or not black cohosh needs to be taken with food, although it is sometimes recommended to do so out of prudency. *
Black cohosh is available in capsule, liquid extract, or tea form.
Dosage recommendations vary widely between black cohosh brands. Typical doses are anywhere from 20–120 mg of standardized black cohosh extract or powder daily.
For menopause symptoms, taking at least 20 mg of black cohosh daily — which most brands will provide — appears to be effective.
Some health professionals claim you should not take black cohosh for longer than 6 months to 1 year because of its slight potential to cause liver damage.
Because supplements are primarily subject to post-market regulation by the government, you should choose black cohosh supplements that have been third-party tested for quality. Some of these third-party testing organizations include United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and ConsumerLab.
Additionally, black cohosh is often sold in blends containing other herbal supplements, including:
- Red clover. Black cohosh and red clover can be taken together to help manage menopause symptoms, but there’s no evidence that they’re more effective than a placebo.
- Soy isoflavones. Like black cohosh, soy contains phytoestrogens that may help improve hormonal issues or menopause symptoms, but there’s little evidence to support these potential effects.
- St. John’s wort. In combination with black cohosh, St. John’s wort appears to have some beneficial effects on menopause symptoms.
- Chasteberry. Chasteberry and black cohosh supplements are sold for menopause symptom relief, but there’s little evidence that they’re more effective than a placebo.
- Dong quai. Black cohosh and dong quai are claimed to reduce menopause symptoms and possibly induce labor in pregnant women, but there’s no evidence to support this.
- Vitamin C. Vitamin C is recommended online alongside black cohosh to help induce miscarriage or abortion in the case of an unwanted pregnancy. However, there’s no evidence to support this use. *