Active ingredients: Remifemin

The active ingredients black cohosh and St. John's wort have proven particularly effective in treating the symptoms of menopause.

Remifemin^® plus St. John's wort and Remifemin^® all contain the iCR special extract of the medicinal plant black cohosh, which helps to manage typical menopause symptoms. St. John's wort — another medicinal plant — is an additional ingredient in Remifemin^® plus St. John's wort and helps to manage emotional symptoms.

Not all black cohosh products are the same. As with all herbal medicines, their effectiveness depends on the quality of the extract they contain.

To ensure consistent effectiveness and tolerability, the most important Remifemin^® active ingredient — the isopropanolic Cimicifuga special extract (iCR special extract) — was developed over decades of research using advanced pharmaceutical techniques. The effectiveness, tolerability and safety of this extract has been demonstrated in numerous scientific studies. Only Remifemin^® plus St. John's wort and Remifemin^® contain the iCR special extract.

Black cohosh
(Cimicifuga racemosa)

The silvery flowers of this plant hang in a cluster from the stem. From a distance, these clusters look like candles, which is why some people refer to black cohosh as "fairy candles". The plant can be up to two metres in height and belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It is found in eastern Canada and the eastern United States.

Black cohosh was used in Native American medicine, including as a treatment for women's health issues. Its active ingredients are found in the rhizome (underground stem), which contains triterpene glycosides, phenylpropanoids and flavonoids. Laboratory studies have shown that black cohosh extract can help regulate body temperature. For this reason, it can have a very positive effect when used to treat hot flushes and sweating during menopause. It also has a calming, regulatory effect on the brain's chemical messengers, which can help to improve sleep problems and mood swings.

The extract obtained from black cohosh rhizome and used in Remifemin^® contains no hormones or phytohormones (plant hormones) and has no unwanted hormone-like effects on womb or breast tissue.

St. John's wort
(Hypericum perforatum)

St. John's wort can grow up to one metre in height and forms stems with multiple branches. It belongs to the St. John's wort (Hypericaceae) family and is found in Europe and Western Asia. Historically, its bright yellow flowers were valued both for their health benefits and as decoration. Its healing properties have been recognised for more than 2,000 years, and as early as the late Middle Ages, it was used to ease anxiety and mood swings. The entire plant is used for its medicinal benefits. The most important active ingredients are hypericin (a dye) and hyperforin (a natural plant compound). St. John's wort is used to lift low mood and ease anxiety and restlessness. In combination with black cohosh, the addition of St. John's wort in Remifemin^® plus St. John's wort helps to ease emotional menopause symptoms, such as mood swings.

American witch hazel
(Hamamelis Virginiana L.)

Witch hazel got its name because you could almost believe it has magical powers. This remarkable shrub produces its fruit before it even blooms. Inside the fruit, a capsule forms that bursts open with a pop, shooting out two black seeds. It was already valued as a medicinal plant by Native Americans, who used it to treat wounds.

Witch hazel can grow up to seven metres in height. It is found in eastern North America and its healing properties lie within its branches and leaves. A process called steam distillation is used to obtain witch hazel water, which contains the plant's valuable natural ingredients (e.g., terpenes, alkanes, phenylpropanoids). Witch hazel water is used to relieve dry skin and mild injuries. In women's health, witch hazel water is used to treat vaginal dryness.

The Remifemin^® product family

The product family – consisting of Remifemin^® plus St. John's wort and Remifemin^® – contains effective preparations for symptoms such as hot flushes, sweating and sleep disturbances^1,2. Remifemin^® Moisturising Cream (medical device) for use in cases of vaginal dryness completes the Remifemin^® product portfolio.

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