Herb Profile: Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Native American Indians valued the herb and used it for many conditions, ranging from gynecological problems to rattlesnake bites. Some nineteenth- century American physicians used black cohosh for problems such as fever, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and insomnia.

Black Cohosh is a member of the family Ranunculaceae, native to eastern North America from the extreme south of Ontario south to central Georgia, and west to Missouri and Arkansas. It grows in a variety of woodland situations, and is often found in small woodland openings.

Parts Used: Root

Properties: Diaphoretic, antipyretic, antifungal, antibacterial.

Uses:

Menopause

Painful menstruation
Uterine spasms

The primary traditional use of black cohosh has been as a relaxant, sedative, and antispasmodic. Its effectiveness as a remedy for dysmenorrhea has not been successfully proven, but research suggests a pharmacological basis for its use in treating rheumatism and neuralgia.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Clears wind heat, regulates the circulation of qi, relieves pain. It can be used for headache caused by wind heat; gingivitis; hives; diarrhea; venting eruptive skin diseases, such as measles, in the early stages; and prolapsed internal organs, such as the anus and uterus.

The Chinese say that this herb "lifts the sunken"; therefore, it is used to direct other herbs upward and is also indicated for prolapsed organs. North American cimicifuga may be similar though not identical to the Chinese variety.

Dosage: Black cohosh can be taken in several forms:Crude, dried root, or rhizome (300-2,000 mg per day) Solid, dry powdered extract (250 mg three times per day). Tinctures can be taken at 2-4 ml per day.

Safety: Black cohosh has an estrogen-like effect, and women who are pregnant or lactating should not use the herb. Large doses of this herb may cause abdominal pain, nausea, headaches, and dizziness. Women taking estrogen therapy should consult a physician before using black cohosh.

Large doses of black cohosh cause symptoms of poisoning, particularly nausea and dizziness, and can also provoke miscarriage.

Black cohosh should not be used by those who have full-blown measles or those who are having trouble breathing. It should also not be used by those with excess in the upper regions and deficiency in the lower part of the body.

Resources: PDR for Herbal Medicines, Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses, Wikipedia.org.

***Disclaimer: Information is intended for reference purposes only. No medical advice is intended or given. Always consult your family Physician or a qualified Holistic Health Practitioner before using any herbs or herbal therapies. Information about herbal therapies and other dietary supplements is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.