Botanicals For Memory Loss During Menopause Under Investigation

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago are investigating whether hormone therapy and two herbal products can alleviate memory and cognitive problems experienced by menopausal women. The investigation is part of a larger study to determine whether black cohosh and red clover offer an alternative to hormone therapy in relieving hot flashes, the most common symptom of meno­pause. Up to 112 women will be recruited to participate in the study. They will be randomly assigned to one of four groups taking black cohosh, red clover, Prempro (a combined estrogen and progestin hormone replacement drug) or a placebo. Health effects will be closely monitored over 14 clinic visits. This study is being funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is being conducted under the direction of the UIC/NIH Center for Botanical Dietary Supplements Research.