Guest guest Posted May 4, 2006 Report Share Posted May 4, 2006 From the Philadelphia inquirer Seekers of black cohosh may be getting something else The scientific jury is still out on whether black cohosh, a popular herbal supplement said to alleviate hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, really works. But a new study suggests that what some U.S. consumers are buying isn't black cohosh at all, but a related herb grown in Asia. The Asian species is used in traditional Chinese medicine but is not said to have any effect on menopausal symptoms. In the study, published last month in an online edition of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, authors said 3 of 11 samples purchased were of the Asian variety. A fourth contained a mix of both herbs. The remaining seven were indeed black cohosh, but there was a wide range in the levels of compounds reputed to be beneficial. The samples, mostly purchased at stores in the New York City area, were analyzed using a technique called liquid chromatography. The authors came from City University of New York, Columbia University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. -- Cara O. Frank, R.Ac, Dipl Ac & Ch.H. President China Herb Company Program Director of the Chinese Herb Program Tai Sophia Institute for the Healing Arts office: 215- 438-2977 fax: 215-849-3338 Www.chinaherbco.com Www.carafrank.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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