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| Cimicifuga
dahurica |
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| Name |
| Black Cohosh |
| Biological
Name |
Cimicifuga racemosa, Cimicifuga heracleifolia,
Cimicifuga dahurica, Cimicifuga foetida
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family) |
| Other
Names |
| Black snakeroot, bugbane, squawroot,
bugwort, rattleroot, rattleweed, rattlesnale's root, richweed,
Black Cohosh, Cimicifuga, Sheng ma, Chinese black cohosh |
| Parts
Used |
| Root |
| Active
Compounds |
| Black cohosh contains several important
ingredients, including triterpene glycosides (e.g., acetin and
cimicifugoside) and isoflavones (e.g., formononetin). Other
constituents include aromatic acids, tannins, resins, fatty
acids, starches, and sugars. Formononetin is the active element
in the herb that binds to estrogen receptor sites, inducing
an estrogen-like activity in the body. As a woman approaches
menopause, the signals between the ovaries and pituitary gland
diminish, slowing down estrogen production and increasing luteinizing
hormone (LH) secretions. Hot flashes can result from these hormonal
changes. Clinical studies from Germany have demonstrated that
an alcohol extract of black cohosh decreases LH secretions in
menopausal women. |
| History |
| 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. |
| Remedies
For |
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Diaphoretic, antipyretic, antifungal, antibacterial
Black cohosh helps in the treatment of:
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.
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| Description |
| Black Cohosh is a shrub-like plant
native to the eastern deciduous forests of North America, ranging
from southern Ontario to Georgia, north to Wisconsin and West
to Arkansas. The strong odor of black cohosh flowers acts as
an insect repellent. It is thus also known as bugbane.
Black cohosh is a stately perennial, 3-8 feet tall, topped
by a long plume of white flowers (June-September). The leaves
are large and pinnately compound; the leaflets are irregularly
shaped with toothed edges.
The dried root and rhizome are the constituents utilized
medicinally. When wild harvested, the root is black in color.
Cohosh, an Algonquin Indian word meaning "rough,"
refers to its gnarly root structure.
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| Dosage |
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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.
Standardized extracts of the herb are available and contain
1 mg of deoxyacteine per tablet. The usual amount is 40 mg
twice per day. Black cohosh can be taken for up to six months,
and then it should be discontinued.
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| Safety |
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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.
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