Black Cohosh

This genus of 28 species if perennials is found in moist, shady grassland or woodland in northern temperate regions. Several species are grown in borders, especially in woodland settings, for their tall, graceful spikes of flowers and their elegant cut leaves. Sixteen species were formerly classified as the genus Cimicifuga. These include species such as A. podocarpa (syn C. americana)) (American Bugbane) and A. dahurica (syn. C. dahurica), and Asian species, used interchangeably with A. foetida as sheng ma in traditional Chinese medicine. The drug sheng ma was first noted in a Chinese medical text c.CE25-200. Actaea racemosa (syn C. racemosa) has long been used by native N Americans for various female problems, and for this reason it is often referred to as "squaw root". White baneberry, or "doll's eyes" (A. pachypoda syn. A. alba), is named after its black-eyed white berries and was used by various tribes for rattlesnake bites, and by the Cherokee to revive the dying, but it is now considered too toxic for medicinal use. The aromatic roots of Japanese black snakeroot (A. simplex syn. C. simplex) are used as a spice and are commonly known in Japan as sarashina-shôma.

A member of the buttercup family, black cohosh has long been used by Native Americans to treat menstrual discomfort and the pains of childbirth. Western civilizations have used it to treat menopausal symptoms since the 1700s due to its estrogen-like effects on the body.

Tall perennial with a woody rootstock and broadly ovate leaves, to 40cm (16in) long, divided into 3-lobed leaflets with toothed margins. Slender bottle-brush spikes, to 60cm (2ft) long, of unpleasant-smelling white flowers that are borne in summer.


Common Name:
Black Cohosh
Other Names:
Bugwort, Cimicifuga, Cohosh bugbane, Black snakeroot, Rattleweed
Botanical Name:
Actaea racemosa syn. Cimicifuga racemosa.
Genus:
Actaea
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Native Location:
Eastern N. America
Cultivation:
Moist, rich, neutral to acid soil in partial shade.
Propagation:
By seed sown when ripe in a cold frame or nursery bed for germination the following spring; by division in spring.
Harvest:
Rhizomes are lifted in autumn and used fresh in tinctures, or used dried for use in decoctions, liquid extracts, and tinctures.
Height:
1.2-2,2m (4-7ft)
Width:
60cm (24in)
Hardiness:
Z3-9
Parts Used:
Root, Rhizomes
Properties:
A bitter tonic herb that soothes aches and pains, controls coughing, lowers fevers, and stimulates the uterus.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for bronchial complaints (such as whooping cough and asthma), menstrual and menopausal problems, labor and post-partum pains. Often combined with Menyanthes trifoliata (see bog bean) and Petroselinum crispum (see parsley) for arthritic and rheumatic diseases, with Zanthoxylum americanum (see prickly ash) for sciatica and tinnitus, and with Hypericum perforatum (see St. John's Wort) for menopausal problems. Excess causes nausea and vomiting. Not given during pregnancy and lactation. Used in homeopathy for discomfort in late pregnancy, labor pains, and for headaches and depression.
To treat rheumatism, bronchitis, sore throats, fever, snakebite, and lumbago; to calm involuntary muscle motions; as a sedative. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of black cohosh to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and symptoms of menopause.
Warning:
This herb is subject to legal restrictions in some countries.
Typical Dose:
A typical dose of black cohosh may range from 40 to 200mg of powdered rhizome daily; alcoholic-aqueous extracts corresponding to 40mg of the drug; or 0.4 to 2ml of tincture (1:10 in 60 percent alcohol).
Possible Side Effects:
Black Cohosh's side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Drug Interactions:
Taking black cohosh with these drugs may increase the risk of hypotension (excessively low blood pressure):
Acebutolol, (Sectral)
Amlodipine, (Norvasc)
Atenolol, (Apo-Atenol, Tenormin)
Benazepril, (Lotensin)
Betaxolol, (Betoptic S, Kerlone)
Bisoprolol, (Monocor, Zebeta)
Bumetanide, (Bumex, Burinex)
Candesartan, (Atacand)
Captopril, (Capoten, Novo-Captopril)
Carteolol, (Cartrol, Ocupress)
Carvedilol, (Coreg)
Chlorothiazide, (Diuril)
Chlorthalidone, (Apo-Chlorthalidone, Thalitone)
Clonidine, (Catapres, Duraclon)
Diazoxide, (Hyperstat, Proglycem)
Diltiazem, (Cardizem, Tiazac)
Doxazosin, (Alti-Doxazosin, Cardura)
Enalapril, (Vasotec)
Eplerenone, (Inspra)
Eprosartan, (Teveten)
Esmolol, (Brevibloc)
Felodipine, (Plendil, Renedil)
Fenoldopram, (Corlopam)
Fosinopril, (Monopril)
Furosemide, (Apo-Furosemide, Lasix)
Guanabenz, (Wytensin)
Guanadrel, (Hylorel)
Guanfacine, (Tenex)
Hydralazine, (Apresoline, Novo-Hylazin)
Hydrochlorothiazide, (Apo-Hydro, Microzide)
Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterene, (Dyazide, Maxzide)
Indapamide, (Lozol, Nu-Indapamide)
Irbesartan, (Avapro)
Isradipine, (DynaCirc)
Labetalol, (Normodyne, Trandate)
Lisinopril, (Prinivil, Zestril)
Losartan, (Cozaar)
Mecamylamine, (Inversine)
Mefruside, (Baycaron)
Methyclothiazide, (Aquatensen, Enduron)
Methyldopa, (Apo-Methyldopa, Nu-Medopa)
Metolazone, (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn)
Metoprolol, (Betaloc, Lopressor)
Minoxidil, (Loniten, Rogaine)
Moexipril, (Univasc)
Nadolol, (Apo-Nadol, Corgard)
Nicardipine, (Cardene)
Nifedipine, (Adalat CC, Procardia)
Nisoldipine, (Sular)
Nitroglycerin, (Minitran, Nitro-Dur)
Nitroprusside, (Nipride, Nitropress)
Olmesartan, (Benicar)
Oxprenolol, (Slow-Trasicor, Trasicor)
Perindopril Erbumine, (Aceon, Coversyl)
Phenoxybenzamine, (Dibenzyline)
Phentolamine, (Regitine, Rogitine)
Pindolol, (Apo-Pindol, Novo-Pindol)
Polythiazide, (Renese)
Prazosin, (Minipress, Nu-Prazo)
Propranolol, (Inderal, InnoPran XL)
Quinapril, (Accupril)
Ramipril, (Altace)
Reserpine, (Reserpine)
Sildenafil, (Viagra)
Sotalol, (Betapace, Sorine)
Spironolactone, (Aldactone, Novo-Spiroton)
Telmisartan, (Micardis)
Terazosin, (Alti-Terazosin, Hytrin)
Timolol, (Betimol, Timoptic)
Torsemide, (Demadex)
Trandolapril, (Mavik)
Triamterene, (Dyrenium)
Trichlormethiazide, (Metatensin, Naqua)
Valsartan, (Diovan)
Verapamil, (Calan, Isoptin SR)
Taking black cohosh with these drugs may alter/interfere with the action of the drug and is best avoided by those with estrogen-dependent tumors:
Anastrozole, (Arimidex)
Carbocysteine, (Mucopront, Rhinatiol)
Cisplatin, (Platinol-AQ)
Cyclophosphamide, (Cytoxan, Neosar)
Cyproterone and Ethinyl Estradiol, (Diane-35)
Doxorubicin, (Adriamycin, Rubex)
Epirubicin, (Ellence, Pharmorubicin)
Estradiol, (Climara, Estrace)
Estrogens (Conjugated A/Synthetic), (Cenestin)
Estrogens (Conjugated/equine), (Cenestin, Premarin)
Estrogens (Esterified), (Estratab, Menest)
Estropipate, (Ogen, Ortho-Est)
Ethinyl Estradiol, (Estinyl)
Ethinyl Estradiol and Ethynodiol Diacetate, (Demulen, Zovia)
Ethinyl Estradiol and Etonogestrel, (NuvaRing)
Ethinyl Estradiol and Levonorgestrel, (Alesse, Triphasil)
Ethinyl Estradiol and Norenthindrone, (Brevicon, Ortho-Novum)
Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestimate, (Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen)
Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestrel, (Cryselle, Ovral)
Exemestane, (Aromasin)
Fluorouracil, (Adrucil, Efudex)
Megestrol, (Lin-Megestrol, Megace)
Mitomycin, (Mutamycin)
Mitoxantrone, (Novantrone)
Norgestrel, (Ovrette)
Paclitaxel, (Onxol, Taxol)
Tamoxifen, (Nolvadex, Tamofen)
Thiotepa, (Thioplex)
Vinblastine, (Velban)
Taking black cohosh with these drugs may reduce or prevent drug absorption:
Ferric Gluconate, (Ferrlecit)
Ferrous Fumarate, (Femiron, Feostat)
Ferrous Gluconate, (Fergon, Novo-Ferrogluc)
Ferrous Sulfate, (Feratab, Fer-Iron)
Ferrous Sulfate and Ascorbic Acid, (Fero-Grad 500, Vitelle Irospan)
Iron-Dextran Complex, (Dexferrum, INFeD)
Polysaccharide-Iron Complex, (Hytinic, Niferex)
Disease Effects:
May increase the risk of breast cancer metastasis.
Supplement Interactions:
May adversely affect the liver and increase the risk of liver damage when combined with herbs and supplements that can cause hepatotoxicity (destructive effects on the liver), such as Bishop's Weed, Borage, Chaparral, Uva-Ursi and others.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 102
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD Pp. 75-78