Cimicifuga racemosa, Actaea racemosa

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family

History & Growing:

Black Cohosh is native to North America (Canada & Eastern US as far south as Florida)  with deep roots (literally!) in Native American medicine. It is a safe and valuable herbal medicine. It has been studied and approved by the German Commission E for menstrual complications and menopause symptoms. Black Cohosh has become popular in menopause treatment, particularly in the US, and it has been overharvested in the wild. Black cohosh is on the endangered plant list, and it is endangered in the states of Illinois and Massachusetts.  Because it is endangered and a forest-growing herb native to North America, I found this herbal gem at trusted, native local nursery and have it growing in a bed of medicinal herbs specific for women’s health. Black Cohosh is a stunning plant when it reaches maturity; long, spindly flower stalks reach upwards from a dense, green undergrowth. When mature, it can reach up to 8 feet!  Black cohosh prefers shade, ideally in wooded areas, meadows, or hedgerows. It can be propagated from seed, roots of the 3-5 year old mature plant are harvested in the fall.

Parts of Black Cohosh Used Medicinally:

• Rhizome (Roots of mature plant)

Ways to Consume Black Cohosh:

• Due to its bitter, acrid taste, tincture or capsule form* is recommended.

*be sure to get extracts and capsules from a trusted source.

• Decoction from roots

Taste:  Bitter & Acrid

Energetics:  Cooling & Drying

Herbal Actions:

• Anodyne
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antirheumatic (relieves symptoms associated with musculoskeletal inflammation)
• Antispasmodic (relaxes tension in smooth/skeletal muscles)
• Emetic (induce vomiting)
• Emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation)
• Estrogenic/Hormone balancing* (HPO axis: hypothalamus, pituitary, ovaries)
• Expectorant (promotes coughing/clearing of mucus, trapped debris, pathogens)
• Parturient (supports childbirth)
• Phytoestrogen (plant molecules and compounds that can bind to estrogen receptor sites in the body and have estrogen-like effects)
• Pulmonary antispasmodic (can relax vasculature and relieve high blood pressure)
• Uterine antispasmodic (relieves uterine cramping)

Primary Organs & Systems Black Cohosh Acts On:

• Respiratory (expectorant)
• Cardiovascular (relaxes vasculature/reduces blood pressure)
• Musculoskeletal (joints)
• Female Reproductive (uterus)

Traditional Uses:

• Important Native American, particularly the women!
  • Malaria, fever, tuberculosis, arthritis, joint pain, pneumonia, sore throat, kidney ailments, constipation, menstrual cramps, stimulate menses/menstrual irregularities, labor complications. Iroquois used it in steams and baths for rheumatic pain. (Blankespoor)
• In TCM, Cimifuga species are said to “clear heat” and relieve toxicity.
  • Asthma, headaches, measles are among uses

Current Uses & Studies:

• Menopause support
  • Per the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, research on black cohosh has shown it to be effective, used alone or in formulations with other herbs, in treating menopausal symptoms – namely hot flashes
  • At least 10 clinical trials have found black cohosh to effectively relieve menopause symptoms.
    • A 1995 German study using black cohosh combined with St. John’s wort was 78% effective
    • “While black cohosh itself does not contain estrogen, it has an estrogen-like action within the body…” In conditions where there is low estrogen (examples: hot flashes, night sweats) black cohosh can be a powerful ally. (Chevallier)
      • Black cohosh may also lower levels of luteinizing hormone, which can be high in postmenopausal women. Research supports black cohosh is helpful in alleviating other symptoms associated with menopause, like insomnia, irritability, vaginal dryness, “black cloud” depression (Groves, Blankespoor)
      • Black cohosh’s ability to balance hormones could be beneficial in ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, infertility, amenorrhea, menstrual cramps, irregular cycles, stimulating delayed menses, and scanty flow. (Blankespoor)
    • May be beneficial for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome as well as slowing or perhaps preventing osteoporosis (Chevallier)
      • Research suggests black cohosh can decrease the risk of breast cancer, but medical professionals will likely discourage its use of you have an increased risk of estrogen-dependent cancer( Groves)
• Musculoskeletal support
  • Black cohosh may have a particular affinity for relieving dull pain in the back, pelvic region and thighs. It may also alleviate those with complaints of “dragging pain” in the uterus. (Blankespoor)
  • Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, tendinitis, and/or joint afflictions /injuries where inflammation is the culprit (perhaps particularly indicated when symptoms are associated with menopause)
    • Michael Moore encourages black cohosh’s use when one feels “purple pain” associated with cold, clammy, congestion with dull aching.
• Whooping cough, asthmatic symptoms, tinnitus, vertigo, heart palpitations

When to Reach for Black Cohosh:

• If you have a hacking, spasmodic cough
• Cold/aching pain due to inflammation
• Transitioning through perimenopause or menopause when estrogen levels are low
• Delayed (or scanty/painful) menses*

Dosage:

• LOW DOSES REGULARLY. Note this could lead to changes in the menstrual cycle length/duration. It may take a few weeks to a few months of regular supplementation to feel its effects.
• 3-9 drops of tincture 1-3 times per day
• Follow dosage on capsules

Contraindications:

• Be sure you’re getting true Black Cohosh that is sustainably sourced – AVOID WILDHARVESTED PRODUCTS  (it has been overharvested in the wild!)
  • Complications stemming from adulteration and mislabeling have unfortunately caused health scares in black cohosh use. Be sure to source organic, cultivated black cohosh using its scientific name from a trusted supplier (Mountain Rose, Starwest)
• Large doses can be nauseating and emetic.
• Not for use in pregnancy or while breastfeeding

Planetary, Elemental, and Dosha Discussion:

• *AIR* (I originally viewed this as an Earth plant) element: Black Cohosh’s actions and energetics are tricky to place, but in his book Evolutionary Herbalism Sajah refers to this herb as an ‘air’ element plant. With it’s cooling, drying with downward flowing vital force as well as bitter in taste with a stout base and tall morphology, which is often associated with Earth, so I have come back to this blog with an edit!
• Saturnian plant: bitter, acrid, ideal for dark Saturnian depressive states per Sajah Popham, along with its actions on the musculoskeletal system (Saturn rules bones/joints). Its white flowers grow tall and slender (with a dense undergrowth) which is said to be one of Saturn signature. With actions on the female reproductive system, perhaps rulership under both planets is approriate.
• Black cohosh is a “kapha” type plant with its Earth element associations; its drying relaxant properties helps relieve stagnation: a kapha attribute that can be used sympathetically to treat an excess of kapha. Black cohosh may relax and cool the excess heat/excitation of pitta. While it may help relax excess wind/tension of vata, extended use of black cohosh may aggravate this colder, drier constitution unless formulated.

Citations:

• The Healing Garden, Juliet Blanespoor
• The Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Andrew Chevallier
• Body Into Balance, Maria Noel Groves
• Evolutionary Herbalism, Sajah Popham