Herbal Remedy May Alter Breast Cancer Chemo: "April 29, 2005 -- A popular herbal remedy may make breast cancer chemotherapy more toxic, laboratory studies suggest.

The herb, black cohosh, has been used for centuries as a remedy for hot flashesblack cohosh, has been used for centuries as a remedy for hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. It was the main ingredient in the once-popular Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.

Women with breast cancer -- or at high risk of breast cancer -- should talk to their doctors about treatment for menopausal symptoms. Many women with breast cancer take anti-estrogen drugs that, as a side effect, cause menopausal symptoms like hot flashes.anti-estrogen drugs that, as a side effect, cause menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. So the use of black cohoshblack cohosh is widespread among breast cancer patients, who may not tell their doctors they are using an herbal remedy."