Black Cohosh Cautions

    Contraindications:

    "Black Cohosh is not appropriate during pregnancy, and, in general, is best used in
    cold, deficient, and congested states.
    It is not always a predictable plant, and some particularly sensitive individuals may
    need to be aware of the side effects that large quantities will indsuce in anyone.
     In excess amounts it will cause a frontal headache, often behind the eyes, that
    ceases after you stop using the herb. Further, it may slow the pulse and lower the
    blood pressure in hypotensive or bradycardic persons. Persons with elevated
    fluid pressure in the eyes should be careful with Black Cohosh, as it may
    sometimes dilate the pupils and cause a short-term elevation in interocular
    pressure. It is not so much that Black Cohosh is a particularly toxic plant--- More
    that it is so helpful an herb that sone people tend to overuse it, or presume to try
    to treat overt disease with it. It is not a ( little drug ), to substitute for proper
    medication; it is an effective herbal therapy for subacute, sub-clinical,
    commonplace problems that most folks wuould grab an over-the-couter pill for."
       Ref. B p.79,

   "Large doses irritate nerve centres, and may cause abortionn." Ref. D p.174.