(Relaxnews) – The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK issued a warning this week alerting consumers of the dangers of liver problems associated with taking the herbal remedy black cohosh, which is touted to remedy menopause symptoms.
"It is important that people with a history of liver problems do not use black cohosh herbal products," warns Richard Woodfield, the MHRA’s head of herbal policy.
"Other people who wish to use black cohosh herbal products should check for the traditional herbal registration (THR) number on the packaging indicating that it has been made to assured standards," he advises. "If the product does not have a THR registration number there would have been no assessment as to the safety or quality of the product."
"Unlicensed herbal products may have incomplete, inaccurate or no safety information and can mean you are gambling with your health, especially if you take these products without consulting a GP or qualified healthcare professional."
Black cohosh is used for the relief of hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep, mood changes and irritability.
While prior research has found that the herb can benefit menopausal symptoms, researchers from the University of South Australia found contradictory evidence in a study published last month in the journal The Cochrane Library.
That research follows prior studies conducted jointly by the University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern University, published in the journal Menopause, that found that black cohosh and red clover have no effect on hot flashes or cognitive function in menopausal women.