Hi Alicia and lactnetters,

Have been catching up with lactnet and reading the hot flashes posts with
interest.  Black cohosh has shown some efficacy in treating hot flashes and is
available in standardized product form.   Black cohosh is widely used for
menopausal symptoms in Germany, and it's use in the US is increasing.

In an interesting review, Francis Brincker (ND) gave a reference describing
black cohosh's use as a galactogogue by the Iriquois nation - good to know
just in case it's use should see oversupply develop.  It's historic use as a
labour aid/uterotonic makes me suspect it could be oxytocic, amongst other
things.  Use not contraindicated for bf by usual sources (Comm. E, Bot Safety
Handbook, etc.).

Effect on hormones - thought of as estrogenic but research shows dose of 40
mg. standardized extract/day does not alter LH, FSH, etc. but can still
effectively reduce hot flashes and other symptoms.

Rosemary Gladstar makes these suggestions for hot flashes: more grains, a lot
less sugar if possible, increase calcium and Vitamin E - containing foods.
David Hoffman discusses the value of oats ( cereal, oat straw preps) as well.
Jim Duke considers phytoestrogenic plants such as soy, alfalfa, red clover
useful for menopausal symptoms.  He makes the point that hot flashes are rare
in vegetarian cultures, especially those with legume-based diets ( soybeans
again - not my favorite diet item).

Vitex:  Have read recent study which found chasteberry extract to have D2
dopamine agonist effect, and an anti-prolactin effect in vitro.  Animal
studies of lactating rats/pups found failure of "milk-spots" to appear (
doesn't sound good but still wish someone would tell me just what a milk spot
is in a rat pup!).  Authors also found increased mortality amongst test-
litters which they related to anti-prolactin effects.

These recent studies have stood Vitex researchers' previous findings on their
heads - for years they had assumed that Vitex increased prolactin in humans
whereas it seems this response is restricted to "certain species" (guinea
pigs), as they put it.  Old studies of humans from the mid-century reporting a
lactogenic effect are more than due for a re-do, to say the least - perhaps
modern protocols would help establish what the real story with Vitex is.

One observation from the human studies that is still in the product
information package of one German company ( the one that did all the research)
is that continued use post-partum does seem to cause an early return of menses
- if true, this represents an early and preventable loss of important benefits
of breastfeeding to the mother.

Regards,
Sheila Humphrey
BSc  RN  IBCLC
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