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Black Cohosh (black snakeroot)
Actea racemosa
(formally known as Cimicifuga racemosa)

This page contains information on black cohosh and how it is used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments, to treat ailments and problems, such as menstrual and menopausal problems, arthritis, as well as rheumatism.

On this page

Botanical classification of black cohosh
Description of black cohosh
Parts used
Properties of black cohosh
Internal use
External use
Use of essential oil
Safety precautions and warnings
Used in the following products
Herbal Index

Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. For more information on our range of products, please click here.

Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.

Botanical Classification

Family	Ranunculaceae
Genus and specie	Actea racemosa (formally Cimicifuga racemosa)

Other names

Black snakeroot, squawroot, bugbane, rattleroot, bugwort, rattleweed, and cohosh.

Description of the herb black cohosh

Black Cohosh is a perennial herb, which grows to 8 ft, which has long plumes of white flowers.

Parts used

The dried rhizome and roots are used.

Properties

It is a toning bitter herb which soothes aches, pains, coughing, lowers fevers and stimulates the uterus.

It contains several tetracyclic triterpenoid glycosides (actaein and cimicifugoside), their aglycones (cimigenol and acetylacteol), and formononetin isoflavonoid, as well as isoferulic acid, salicylic acid, gallotannins, cytisine and quinolizidine alkaloids.

It has estrogen-like activity due to the isoflavonoids and triterpenoids and acts as a selective estrogen-receptor modulator and may suppress the activity of luteinizing hormone. It is a spasmolytic, vasodilatory and hypotensive and is used with success in controlling menopausal symptoms - especially hot flushes.

Therapeutic uses

Internal use
- Black Cohosh is known as a treatment for depression and hot flushes.
- The herb has also been known as a remedy for dysmenorrhoea (pain experienced during the menstrual period), dyspepsia, rheumatism, and arthritis.
- The herb helps lower blood pressure and is also helpful in controlling cholesterol levels.
- In the 19th century, "Lydia E Pinkham's Vegetable Compound" was a very popular over- the- counter treatment for "female weakness" containing several medicinal herbs with black cohosh as the main ingredient.
- Black cohosh has been used through the ages by Native Americans to treat gynecological problems and to assist in recovery after childbirth.
- Native Americans used black cohosh to treat rattlesnake bites, hence the name "snakeroot" but we do not advocate this as a remedy for snake bite.
External use
- None noted.
Aromatherapy and essential oil use
- None noted.

Safety precautions and warnings

Excessive intake may cause nausea and vomiting and a 1986 FDA report warns that black cohosh causes potentially hazardous side effects, including dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, depressed heart rate and miscarriage. More than 5 g of the herb can be toxic.

PLEASE NOTE: This herb is subject to legal restriction in certain countries.

Patients with hormone dependant cancers should avoid this herb and it should not be taken continuously for more than three months.

NOTE: Black cohosh should not be confused with blue cohosh, as blue cohosh is contra indicated for use by women who are trying to conceive or who are pregnant.

Used in the following of our products

None.

Herbal index

To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.

Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.
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Information contained on this website is for general information purposes only and must not be used to treat or diagnose medical conditions, and all health problems must be referred to a health care professional. Statements made regarding the products, ingredients and general information have not been evaluated by the FDA, or any other health authority, and should not be seen as health claims.
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Our site was last updated on 3 March 2010.

Black Cohosh (black snakeroot) Actea racemosa (formally known as Cimicifuga racemosa)

Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.

Black Cohosh (black snakeroot)
Actea racemosa
(formally known as Cimicifuga racemosa)