Directory Search
Black Cohosh
Description:
Black cohosh is a member of the buttercup family that can grow up to eight feet tall. It has fluffy white flowers and dark, ensnarled roots which contain most of its curative properties. Black cohosh has long been used as a natural medicine by Native Americans for a variety of complaints, but it has recently been embraced by the baby boomer women as its main benefit is in treating symptoms of menopause, especially hot flashes.
Studies have shown that black cohosh lowers levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), a rise in which contributes to hot flashes. This herb also contains phytoestrogens which can bind with hormone receptors in the breast and uterus to relieve other complaints of menopause, without the potential side effects of hormone replacement therapy. Black cohosh has been used to treat menstrual cramps and to ease contractions during and after childbirth as it increases blood flow to the uterus. It may also play a role in alleviating symptoms of PMSAn extract in the plant's rhizome seems to have anti-inflammatory properties, and so black cohosh may be effective in treating arthritis and neuralgia. The herb has also been used to soothe muscle aches, sciatica, coughs and ringing in the ears. There is some evidence to suggest it may reduce blood pressure.
This root of this herb dried, ground and formed into tablets or capsules to be used as dietary supplements. Compresses of black cohosh tea may be applied topically to aching muscles
Recommended Dietary Allowances:
Black cohosh can be taken in several forms, including crude, dried root or rhizome (300–2,000 mg per day), or as a solid, dry powdered extract (250 mg three times per day). Standardized extracts of the herb are available. The recommended amount is 20–40 mg twice per day.14 The best researched extract provides 1 mg of deoxyactein per 20 mg of extract. Tinctures can be taken at 2–4 ml three times per day.15 Black cohosh can be taken for up to six months, and then it should be discontinued.16
Food Sources:
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 dried root and rhizome are used medicinally.1 When harvested from the wild, the root is black in color. Cohosh, an Algonquin Indian word meaning “rough,” refers to the plants gnarly root structure.2