Remifemin is a well-known menopause supplement sold by Nature’s Way. Like many other menopause supplements, its primary ingredient is black cohosh, which may help suppress hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. Here’s an in-depth look at Remifemin and its primary ingredient – black cohosh. 

What is Remifemin?

Remifemin is an estrogen-free dietary supplement that aims to relieve common menopausal symptoms. The supplement has been clinically tested for efficacy and safety in curbing:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Sleeplessness

Along with the original formulation, Nature’s Way also has Remifemin Goodnight, which is (as you can safely assume) targeted to help you sleep. As most of us know, perimenopause can totally disrupt your sleep with an onset of symptoms like insomnia, night sweats, anxiety, etc.

Remifemin is marketed as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women who cannot take estrogen. 

Remifemin Ingredients

The main ingredient in Remifemin is black cohosh. Specifically, it is called Remisure™ Black Cohosh Extract. Other ingredients include lactose (milk), cellulose, potato starch, magnesium stearate, and natural peppermint flavor.

Almost of equal importance is what Remifemin does not contain. You will NOT find hormones, soy, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and preservatives.

The ingredients of Remifemin Goodnight include the Remisure™ Black Cohosh Extract and their Restful Sleep Blend, which includes valerian root extract, lemon balm leaf extract, and hops strobile extract.

A look at black cohosh

Black cohosh is a common medicinal herb native to North America. The medicinal properties extracted from black cohosh come from its roots and rhizomes (the underground stems). The plant itself is a member of the buttercup family, and the medicine can be supplied as a powdered whole herb, a liquid, or with the dried extracts placed into a pill.

This plant has a rich history of use for its medicinal properties, particularly by the Native Americans, who used it for:

• Musculoskeletal pain relief
• Fevers
• Coughing
• Pneumonia
• Low energy (also referred to as “sluggish labor” in historical texts)
• And menstrual irregularities

When Europeans colonized North America, black cohosh was used primarily as a tonic to relieve women’s reproductive issues.

Things to consider about black cohosh

As black cohosh is the primary ingredient in Remifemin menopause supplements, there are a few considerations you may need to keep in mind.

Firstly, black cohosh has a low incidence of adverse effects in most women who use it for menopause. However, some people report that it causes stomach upset and rashes (although these are usually mild to moderate).

Secondly, there are some concerns that black cohosh negatively affects the liver in some people, causing liver inflammation and elevated liver enzymes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require any warning of potential liver damage on black cohosh supplements. 

What the Remifemin reviews say

Remifemin is a pretty popular supplement with over 2,500 ratings on Amazon. With 4.4 out of 5 stars, it has mostly positive reviews. Of the positive reviews, many women say that it is the best thing they have tried thus far in their menopause journey, and it has helped curb everything from hot flashes and low energy to poor sleep and anxiety. 

Of the negative reviews, some women found it didn’t do anything at all for their symptoms. In addition, a few women had adverse responses to the supplement, including increased anxiety and also liver complications (rare).

Our Takeaway on Remifemin

Our main takeaway is that it is important to keep in mind that there are no valid studies using current scientific methods for confirming if a product works or not (a.k.a. testing its efficacy). Rather, the indications for this supplement are based solely on traditional homeopathic principles, as laid out on their website. This is true for nearly all supplements, as the FDA does not regulate supplements the same way it does drugs.

Remifemin seems to have a positive impact on many women. However, like any supplement, it is best to check with your doctor first before adding this supplement. Consulting your doctor is especially important for women who have health conditions or take other medications that may interact with Remifemin’s primary ingredient – black cohosh. 

Disclaimer: this is not medical advice, does not take the place of medical advice from your physician, and is not intended to treat or cure any disease. Patients should see a qualified medical provider for assessment and treatment.