Written By Allison Prater |
Cimifuga racemosa, or Black Cohosh is a member of the buttercup family. Native to North America, it has also been known as black bugbane, bugwort, black snakeroot, rattleroot, and fairy candle. Though it is not a relative of Blue Cohosh, the two are sometimes used together, and have a synergistic, but not interchangeable relationship. A popular medicinal herb among many Native American tribes, the word Cohosh is derived from the Algonquin word “rough” or “gnarly,” referring to the texture of the roots of the plant.
Many of Black Cohosh’s uses come to us from Native Americans who used the root to treat many gynecological issues, including menstrual discomfort and preparing the uterus for childbirth. It was also used to treat sore throats, kidney problems, depression, and even rattle snake bites. Today, it is still used for some of these purposes, in addition to relieving symptoms associated with menopause. Because it is highly regarded as a nervine and muscle relaxant, Black Cohosh has been used successfully for headaches, pain and muscle spasms as well. The anti-inflammatory actions are helpful for muscular or neurological pain, and arthritis.
Early settlers of North America adopted the use of this herb from the Native Americans. The plant was popular with eclectic physicians of the late 19th century. They regarded it as one of the most effective uterine tonics. It was one of the main ingredients in Lydia Pinkham’s famous “Vegetable Compound,” and was taken by women throughout the early nineteenth century to relieve menstrual pain and nervous tension.
Black Cohosh is often used in combination with Blue Cohosh in the last week of pregnancy to stimulate uterine contractions and prepare the uterus for labor. Black Cohosh helps relax the cervix and uterine muscles; it promotes regular contractions, and reduces blood pressure by dilating peripheral blood vessels. This can be helpful during labor when muscles in the back of the legs, low back and pelvis area begin to ache. This can also be helpful with overdue pregnancies.
This is an herb that should be used with caution, as it can cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea. These issues will subside as the use is discontinued. Because if relaxes the uterine muscles, it should never be taken in early pregnancy, as it can cause miscarriage. It should only be used in late pregnancy, under the supervision of a health professional.
Black Cohosh is helpful in relieving menstrual cramps and bringing on delayed menstruation. It also has a lot of benefit for menopausal women, and is used in combination with other herbs to help regulate hormonal balance.
A wonderful herb for women of all ages, this herb thrives in rich, loamy soil. Its tall tapering columns of tiny white flowers have a strong, medicinal smell, which repels many common garden pests. A perennial, Black Cohosh can be propagated either from root cuttings or from seed. It does not enjoy extreme heat, so plant it somewhere where it has partial shade, and make sure it gets plenty of water during the hot months. This plant has so many potent uses that it is best used only under the direction or supervision of a health professional.
References:
1. Gladstar, Rosemary. Herbal Healing for Women. Fireside Books. New York, 1993.
2. Romm, Aviva Jill. The Natural Pregnancy Book. Celestial Arts. Berkeley, 2003.
3. Bremness, Lesley. Dorling Kindersley Handbooks: Herbs. Dorling Kindersley. London, 1994.
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actaea_racemosa
5. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/blackcohosh/
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