Actaea racemosa

Other Botanical Names: Cimifuga racemosa

Common Name: Black cohosh

Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)

Parts used: Root

Constituents: Triterpene glycosides (saponins), simple acids (isoferulic acid)

Taste/smell: Bitter, sharp, spicy, acrid

Actions

• Uterine Tonic

• Serotonergic

• Parturifacient

• Antirheumatic

• Spasmolytic

• Nervine

• Sedative

• Diaphoretic

• Digestive stimulant

• Mild expectorant

• Peripheral vasodilator

• Hypotensive

• Anti-inflammatory

• Diuretic

• Analgesic

Uses

Uterine Tonic:

• Amenorrhea

• Oligomenorrhea

• Dysmenorrhea

• PMS: menstrual cramps

• Menopause

• Post-hysterectomy

• Endometriosis

• Infertility (female)

Serotonergic:

• Depression (menopausal)

Parturifacient:

• Threatened miscarriage

• Premature labor

Antirheumatic:

• Rheumatism

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

• Osteoarthritis (OA)

Spasmolytic:

• Myalgia

• Sciatica

Analgesic:

• Migraines

• Joint inflammation

Mental Picture and Specifics

• Consider black cohosh when there are spasms, achy pains, chilliness, fevers, nervous system irritation or excitement, depression of a deep, dark, brooding, withdrawn and heavy nature, incessant talking, and neuralgia. It is specific for headaches in the late luteal phase associated with low estrogen levels. Many symptoms are worse in the morning, during menses, and with cold applications. Symptoms are better with warmth and after eating. Black cohosh is indicated for traumas to the nervous system that create congestion and pain. These traumas can be physical such as in a car accident or mental/emotional such as sexual abuse of children where there may or may not be physical trauma, but there is almost always mental/emotional trauma.

Contraindications

• Early pregnancy (first trimester) due to its emmenagogue effect

• Lactation

Adverse Effects

• Usually none

• Nausea and vomiting

• Sedation

• Blurred or dimmed vision

• Bradycardia

• Hypotension

• Dizziness

• Headache

Toxicity

• Minimal to none

Interactions

• None known