{"id":7045,"date":"2022-05-21T19:32:19","date_gmt":"2022-05-21T18:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=7045"},"modified":"2025-04-09T16:44:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T15:44:19","slug":"black-cohosh","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/black-cohosh\/","title":{"rendered":"Black cohosh"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":7049,"parent":0,"menu_order":-230,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"facab96d-3afd-4170-b053-641f5afcdda8","beyondwords_preview_token":"15de5bb0-85c8-4de5-8354-153e89e5e8a7","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[813,801,132,815,814],"conditions":[696,694,693,699,698,695],"sustainability":[1575],"sense":[17,31,18,786,206,30,27],"western_action":[1017,1809,992,996,997,1009,1023],"chinese_action":[1033,1030],"ayurvedic_action":[],"energetics_action":[1510,1499,1498,1506,1382,1487,1530,1523,1490,1496,1522,1529,1494,1511],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-7045","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-black-cohosh","tag-hormonal-health","tag-hormones","tag-inner-ear","tag-rheumatism","conditions-nervous-system","conditions-cardiovascular-system","conditions-endocrine-system","conditions-musculoskeletal-system","conditions-reproductive-system","conditions-respiratory-system","sustainability-amber-sustainability-status","sense-aromatic","sense-astringent-taste","sense-bitter","sense-cooling","sense-resinous","sense-sharp","sense-sweet","western_action-nervine","western_action-amphoteric","western_action-anti-inflammatory","western_action-antirheumatic","western_action-antispasmodic","western_action-emmenagogue","western_action-uterine-tonic","chinese_action-clear-heat-and-relieve-toxicity","chinese_action-release-exterior-cool-acrid-herbs","energetics_action-acrid","energetics_action-astringent","energetics_action-bitter","energetics_action-cool-temperature-chinese","energetics_action-cool","energetics_action-dry","energetics_action-large-intestine","energetics_action-lung","energetics_action-relaxing","energetics_action-sour","energetics_action-spleen","energetics_action-stomach","energetics_action-sweet","energetics_action-sweet-taste-chinese","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20220521","herb_author":null,"banner_text":"Black cohosh is used for neuralgic and rheumatic conditions","latin_name":"Cimicifuga racemosa \/ Actaea racemosa<\/em>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Ranunculaceae","herb_summary":"A native North American plant that has been used for thousands of years to treat illness in the neuromuscular and rheumatic conditions, as well as for women\u2019s health issues in both the reproductive and menopausal years.","key_benefits":"Hormonal Amphoteric\r\nRheumatic conditions\r\nNeuromuscular conditions\r\nInner ear conditions","how_does_it_feel":"Black Cohosh has a pungent, mildly bitter cooling effect. With an earthy, slightly mushroomy flavour (as is commonly found with roots). A fairly ground feeling is noticed after using this medicine which could be described as a sense of harmony in the nervous system. <\/span>","hdif_image_1":7054,"hdif_image_2":7051,"hdif_image_3":7049,"hdif_video":"","sense":[17,31,18,786,206,30,27],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"

\"\"<\/strong>Reproductive conditions<\/h3>\r\nBlack Cohosh has a wealth of medicinal applications in the treatment of conditions of the female reproductive system and for neuro-muscular conditions.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt would be a great herb to consider using to help with painful menstruation, premenstrual syndrome or menopausal symptoms, depending on the nature of the condition (2, 7, 8). For example, premenstrual syndrome can be the result of specific hormonal imbalances, for some of which there may be a better alternative. This is something that a trained Medical Herbalist would be able to help you identify. Clinical herbalists can be found <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> and seeing one is the best option for chronic and complex conditions.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Neurological conditions<\/h3>\r\nSome of the most popular applications of Black Cohosh are in the treatment of headaches, tinnitus and vertigo. As a herb that balances constriction in the micro-capillaries, whilst acting to reduce nerve tension, it can be an effective option to support those who are prone to the above conditions (2, 7, 8).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a relaxant it can be used to treat a number of different types of headaches such as migraine, cluster and ophthalmic headaches (used with caution in cases of true migraines as can occasionally induce vomiting) (8). Anyone suffering from chronic headaches should seek professional medical advice, to identify the cause and rule out any more serious health conditions.<\/span>\r\n

Rheumatic conditions<\/h3>\r\nPerhaps one of its most renowned actions is as a powerful antispasmodic. This can be useful for the treatment of both nervous or muscular problems such as rheumatic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and muscular problems as it acts both as a powerful anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic.<\/span>\r\n

Respiratory conditions<\/h3>\r\nBlack Cohosh has some value in treatment of conditions that present with respiratory tension or spasmodic tissue state in the lungs. This would include that found in asthma and pertussis (whooping cough). It is herb that also supports the natural processes of a viral fever, such as to slow the heart rate whilst supporting a healthy sweat, which improves viral detoxification (7, 8, 9, 12).<\/span>","into_the_heart_of":"\"\"A pungent cooling medicine, with an acridity known to soften and relieve tensions throughout the cardiovasular system and the nervous system. Black Cohosh can be applied for all of the physiological conditions mentioned above, however it would be an excellent choice where anxiety and panic attacks may be additional factors (7, 8). As a mildly bitter pungent herb, black cohosh will deliver a grounding effect. As it is able to offer a relaxant action upon the cardiovascular and nervous system, this plant brings a sense of earthing, whilst it directly neutralises overactivity in the ANS (autonomic nervous system).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nBlack Cohosh works to reduce over activity in both the parasympathetic and the sympathetic nervous system. These are the two branches of the ANS which innovate all of our visceral organs and automatic processes. Overactivity in these systems can cause digestive and sleep issues or high blood pressure and a fast heart rate, among other symptoms respectively (7, 8). Black Cohosh would therefore be an excellent herb of choice to support the balance of the ANS, particularly where this imbalance is caused by prolonged exposure to stress hormones (6, 7).<\/span>","tradtional_uses":"\"\"Black Cohosh has been used in Native American medicine for a wide range of gynaecological conditions and rheumatic complaints. Traditionally used as a diaphoretic in agues and fevers of viral illness. Reportedly, it cured many cases of yellow fever and smallpox. It was also believed in Native American medicine to be an antidote to rattlesnake venom, used as a root poultice (10,12).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe Eclectics prescribed Black Cohosh in the form of fluid extract for prophylactic treatment of smallpox, also for inflammatory rheumatism and the neuralgias (13).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt has long been used in Traditional Western Herbal Medicine as a herb to bring on a delayed menstruation, supporting the symptoms of menopause in the post- reproductive years. It is a vascular antispasmodic, that is also traditionally used in high blood pressure (10).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt has a long-standing history of use for persistent coughing, particularly that of whooping cough. Black cohosh acts as an expectorant (promoting coughing\/ clearing of the lungs), whilst reducing rapidity of the pulse and increasing perspiration. In essence, it supports the process of a natural fever and is a traditional approach used by herbal physicians to increase recovery outcomes (12).<\/span>","what_practioners_say":"\"\"This herb has long been regarded as an important medicine on the shelves of a herbalists dispensary, with a number of well documented applications for treatment of conditions in the neuromuscular system and the female reproductive system. The actions of this plant would likely be worked into a prescription for their powerfully physiological properties, as a main player so to speak. This herb is used for producing effective symptomatic relief of the earlier mentioned conditions of the reproductive system, such as painful menstruation and menopausal symptoms.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt is also an excellent choice where menopausal symptoms also present alongside osteoporosis or rheumatic arthritis. It is a herb that combines well with <\/span>valerian<\/span><\/a> for the treatment of neuralgic conditions such as lumbago, myalgia, chorea, sciatica, intercostal and trigeminal neuralgia (2, 7).<\/span>\r\n\r\nMany herbalists use this plant in the treatment of inner ear conditions such as tinnitus, vertigo and Menieres disease. This would be most useful where the cause is due to vaso-constriction, high blood pressure or of neuromuscular problems (7, 8).<\/span>","research":"\"\"Much of the research into the effects of Black Cohosh have been focused on the treatment of menopausal symptoms and whether or not it works via an oestrogenic pathways or indirectly via the CNS (central nervous system).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nHowever, the importance of this plant in treatment of other conditions such as those in the nervous system should not be overlooked. This is certainly a plant with a great value for many other health problems which requires more research.<\/span>\r\n

Menopause<\/h3>\r\nIn a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial 84 early or post-menopausal participants with a moderate to high Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) score (a scale used to measure of menopausal symptoms) were randomly allocated into treatment using either 6.5\u00a0mg of dried extract of Black cohosh roots daily or a control (placebo). The participants took one tablet per day for 8\u00a0weeks (4).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe GCS total score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group at both week 4 and week 8. The results clearly displayed a significant improvement of menopausal symptoms than that of the control group in all GCS subscale scores (vasomotor, psychiatric, physical, and sexual symptoms (4).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn another double-blind, CE- and placebo-controlled study an extract of black cohosh demonstrated a clear reduction in oestrogen deficiency symptoms to the same degree as conjugated oestrogens. Improvements were measured on all climacteric complaints, somatic complaints, mental and emotional state, sweating episodes with a significant improvement in sleep quality among the test group (10).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe literature to date does not fully confirm a direct oestrogenic mechanism to explain the effects of black cohosh, though it is not ruled out entirely. It is however thought that black cohosh may instead act on the neural pathways via its effects on neurotransmitters in the CNS (central nervous system) that modulate the thermoregulation system (6).<\/span>\r\n\r\nBlack Cohosh has been the subject of a huge amount of scientific research, both through clinical trials and studies on its active compounds. In both, there seems to be conflicting outcomes in terms of the directly oestrogenic effects of Black Cohosh.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThis is often the way with the scientific research carried out to assess the effectiveness of a chemically complex herbal medicine, whose efficacy is difficult to measure within the reductionist nature of modern research.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt is generally agreed however among the herbal community that black cohosh is a hormonal amphoteric (herb that can balance, according to the body\u2019s needs). This is an action often seen in medicinal plants due to the dynamic and synergistic actions of their chemistry (6,7).<\/span>\r\n\r\nResearch has been unable to conclude whether Black Cohosh exerts these effects by acting as an oestrogen in the brain. It is most likely however that it may alleviate hot flashes by acting on neurotransmitter systems (specifically <\/span>serotonergic neurons) in the thermoregulatory hypothalamus via selective serotonin reuptake. It is also considered that compounds in Black Cohosh, by this same mechanism may indirectly interact with the oestrogenic systems <\/span>(6, 7, 8).<\/span>","did_you_know":"The origin of its folk name \u2018black snakeroot\u2019 or 'rattlesnake root\u2019, refers to its traditional use in North America to treat snakebites, including that of the rattlesnake). Also known as bugbane, the Latin word \u2018C<\/span>imicifuga\u2019<\/span><\/i> means \u2018to chase insects away\u2019 due to another early use of this plant as an insect repellant.<\/span>","additional_information_right":{"illustration":7104},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"Native to the deciduous woodlands of North America, Black Cohosh is a herbaceous perennial, reaching a height of approximately 2m or more. Flowering between June and September, this plant produces tall, flower stems that branch into several long narrows racemes (flower spikes) with small, creamy-white flowers. These flower spikes have a tendency to lean slightly towards the sun.<\/span>\r\n\r\nLeaves are compound (made up of a number of smaller leaflets) and usually mid to dark green and serrated, with 2-5 sets branching out in groups of three along the petiole (leaf stem).<\/span>\r\n\r\nBlack cohosh grows primarily on the moist, fertile slopes of deciduous woodlands along the eastern United States and south Eastern Canada. A beautiful plant much loved as a garden ornamental in temperate regions.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs the global demand increases for the medicinal uses of this plant, black cohosh has been under some concern by conservationists and regulators as it is almost exclusively harvested from the wild.<\/span>","common_names":"