Latin Name: Cimicifuga racemosa
Family: Ranuncalaceae
Part used: Rhizome or root
Energetics: A bit pungent, bitter, sweet, cool, dry.
Iris: All types
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider..
Safe alongside Herb
- Cyclophosphamide
- Docetaxel
- Doxorubicin
- Oestradiol, estradiol
Unsure alongside Herb
- Cisplatin
- Esomeprazole
- Naltrexone
- Tramadol hydrochloride
Avoid alongside Herb
Carboplatin
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
- Large doses (abdominal pain, nausea, headaches, and dizziness)
- Full-blown measles
- Oestrogen therapy
- Antidepressants.
ACTIONS
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-rheumatic
- Prostate tonic
- Partus preparator
- Parturient
- Hormone balance
- Pituitary supportive.
- ANS sedative
- Nerve restorer to the lower limbs
- Analgesic
- Amphoteric
-
Anti-protozoal
- Anti-viral
- Anti-tussive
- Anti-neoplastic
- Emmenogogue
- Galactagogue
-
Vulnerary
- Diuretic
-
Anxiolytic
-
Immuno- modulator
- Astringent
Main Constituents
- Volatile oil
- Tetracyclic triterpenoid glycoside
- Cimicifugoside
- Cimiracemoside
- Quinolizidine alkaloids
- Isoflavonoid
- Phenols
- Salicylic acid
- Lignan
- Tannin
- Fatty acids
- Vitamins: A, B, E
- Minerals: Fe, Mg, K, Zn
Main Uses
Pituitary regulator, Oestrogen regulator, Lower Nerve tonic
Circulatory: Arrhythmia, Tachycardia.
Mental/Emotional: Depression, Anxiety.
Nervous System: Sciatica, Facial and intercostal neuralgia, Relaxant to the meninges, Lower Nerve tonic.
Musculo-Skeletal System: Low-Back pain, Osteoarthritis, Stiff neck, Aches after strenuous exercise, Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Endocrine System: Sleep Disturbances, Oestrogen deficiency, Reduces the level of LH and FSH.
Immune System: Rheumatic Fever.
Reproductive System: Painful menstruation and menopausal symptoms, Breast pains, Threatened abortion, Strengthens uterine contractions, PMS, Migraine of hormonal origin, Pain in the ovaries, Menopausal symptoms, Uterine and Prostate Tonic.
Ears: Tinnitus
More About Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is an oestrogen inhibitor selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It will block the action of oestrogen at the receptor sites. Due to the fact it has some agonist activities it is able to stimulate some receptor sites and not others.
It will inhibit the resorption of bone stimulating hormone and block the effects of oestrogen upon breasts and endometrium. It improves bone mineral deposition and bone protecting effects, without affecting oestrogen. It blocks serotonin uptake and modulates anxiety and stress.
The root was an important folk medicine among American Indian groups and early settlers for menstrual irregularities and as an aid in childbirth. It was widely prescribed by physicians in nineteenth century America, where it had a great reputation as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis and rheumatism, and played an important role for normalising suppressed menses, painful or difficult menses, and to relieve pain after childbirth. It was also used for nervous disorders.
Black cohosh was first described in 1705. By 1732, it had been introduced into English gardens as a hardy ornamental perennial. The root was an official drug of the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1926.
The genus Actaea includes twenty-seven species, found in Europe, North America, and eastern Asia. Collectively, they are commonly known as “bugbanes” and have a reputation as an insect-repelling plant.
The genus name Cimicifuga, itself, honours this olfactory observation. It comes from the Latin "cimex", meaning "bug" (specifically the bed bug Cimex lectularius) and "fugare" "to drive-away" in reference to the insect-repelling attributes. The herbage of the American black cohosh does not possess a strong odour.
References
Bone Turnover
Effects of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) on bone turnover, vaginal mucosa, and various blood parameters in postmenopausal women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, and conjugated estrogens-controlled study
These results suggest that CR has beneficial bone remodeling and weak estrogen-like effects in the vaginal mucosa. The analyses of bone turnover markers indicated beneficial effects for Cimicifuga Racemosa by stimulating osteoblast activity.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16645532/
Climacteric/Menopause
Climacteric complaints are also known as menopausal symptoms. They can include:
Vasomotor symptoms: The most common symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, palpitations, and migraines.
Urogenital complaints: Vaginal dryness, vaginal discharge, and pain during intercourse.
Mood changes: Depressed mood and mood lability.
Sleep disturbances: Insomnia.
Other symptoms: Urinary tract symptoms, sexual problems, and muscle and joint pains.
Efficacy and Safety of Isopropanolic Black Cohosh Extract for Climacteric Symptoms
This isopropanolic extract of black cohosh root stock is effective in relieving climacteric symptoms, especially in early climacteric women.
https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2005/05000/Efficacy_and_Safety_of_Isopropanolic_Black_Cohosh.24.aspx
Menopause
Black Cohosh
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines on the use of botanicals for the management of menopausal symptoms support this use for up to six months, especially in treating the symptoms of sleep and mood disturbance, and hot flushes.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2003/0701/p114.html
Combining Black Cohosh and St. John’s Wort
Black Cohosh and St. John’s Wort for Climacteric Complaints
Climacteric complaints are also known as menopausal symptoms. They can include:
Vasomotor symptoms: The most common symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, palpitations, and migraines.
Urogenital complaints: Vaginal dryness, vaginal discharge, and pain during intercourse.
Mood changes: Depressed mood and mood lability.
Sleep disturbances: Insomnia.
Other symptoms: Urinary tract symptoms, sexual problems, and muscle and joint pains.
This fixed combination of black cohosh and St. John’s wort is superior to placebo in alleviating climacteric complaints, including the related psychological component.
https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2006/02000/Black_Cohosh_and_St__John_s_Wort_for_Climacteric.8.aspx
Menopausal Hot Flushes
Pilot Evaluation of Black Cohosh for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Women
Black cohosh appeared to reduce hot flashes and had a low toxicity.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1081/CNV-200026394
Post-Menopausal Symptoms
Black cohosh and fluoxetine in the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms: A prospective, randomized trial
In this study, the main outcome measures—monthly hot flush scores and the Kupperman Index—decreased in both groups. Black cohosh reduced hot flushes, night sweats, and Kupperman Index scores to a greater extent than did fluoxetine. Black cohosh appears to have been effective in alleviating hot flushes in 3 of 4 randomized, controlled short-term studies.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02849914
Safety review
Critical evaluation of the safety of Cimicifuga racemosa in menopause symptom relief
This review concluded that extracts of Cimifuga are safe to use in women with menopausal symptoms. The conclusion was generally in line with the evidence presented.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK69828/#:~:text=This%20review%20concluded%20that%20extracts,the%20reliability%20of%20the%20conclusions.
Non-Oestrogenic Alternative
The non-estrogenic alternative for the treatment of climacteric complaints: Black cohosh (Cimicifuga or Actaea racemosa).
Black cohosh extracts at low doses are effective to ameliorate climacteric complaints but are devoid of adverse estrogenic effects. These finding strengthens the role of CR extracts as substitutes for HRT.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960076013000381