Western Herbalism
Black cohosh
Actaea racemosa
Also known as Black snakeroot, Rheumatism weed, Cimicifuga, Macrotys Actaea, Rattleroot, Squawroot, Bugbane, Macrotys Racemosa.
Antispasmodic especially for upper trapezius and neck May be used prior to labor to prepare uterus for childbirth Research on estrogenic effects is mixed Multiple case reports of hepatitis, but no causal relationship found
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Rheumatism (of the uterus)
- Depression
- Infertility
- Pain (false)
- Arthritis (inflammatory)
- Pain (irregular)
- Pain
- Bronchospasm
- Asthma
- Arthritis (degenerative)
- Viral infection (w/ aching muscles and joints)
- Fibromyalgia
- Headache (w/ menstrual cycle and neuralgia)
- Pain (uterine w/ tenderness)
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Dysmenorrhea
- Myalgia
- Cough (paroxysmal)
- Amenorrhea
- Menopausal symptoms
- Hot flashes
- Mood changes
- Short-term memory loss
- Tinnitus and vaginal atrophy
- Pain (labor)
- Orchialgia
- Bronchoconstriction
- Premenstrual syndrome
- W/ anxiety
- Irritability or muscle tension
Safety
Pregnancy: Use with care in pregnancy
Breastfeeding: Not for use while breastfeeding
The record lists 3 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tincture (1:2-1:3) | 1-2 ml TID | 1-2 mL |
| Decoction | 1-2 tsp/c BID-TID | |
| Powdered dry root | 40 mg-2 g/d | 40-40 mg |
| Remifemin is standardized to | Remifemin is standardized to 1 mg triterpene glycosides per tablet | 1 mg |
| Dried rhizome/root 40-200 mg daily .(G6) Liquid extract Ethanolic extracts equivalent to 40 mg dried rhizome/root daily .(G3, G50) Figure 1 Selected constituents of black cohosh | 40-200 mg | |
| Cohosh, Black 169 C Tincture 0.4-2 mL (1 : 10 in 60% ethanol) daily | 0.4-2 mL |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Clinical Notes. Antispasmodic especially for upper trapezius and neck May be used prior to labor to prepare uterus for childbirth Research on estrogenic effects is mixed Multiple case reports of hepatitis, but no causal relationship found
Therapy. Macrotys is primarily a remedy for rheumatoid and myalgic pain and in disorders of the reproductive organs of women. It apparently possesses sedative, cardiac, anodyne and antispasmodic properties, and is an ideal utero-ovarian tonic.
Therapy. In the premonitory stage of acute fevers , or of acute inflammatory troubles of whatever character, a common symptom is a general tired feeling with aching of the muscles. In these cases there is usually a chill or chilliness, with more or less fever with the aching.
Properties and Uses. The root of cimicifuga has long been known to American physicians as a remedy of decided and peculiar value; yet its true action has been enshrouded in so much uncertainty that the proper places to employ it have not been well defined.
Drawn from Cook's Physio-Medical Dispensatory; Scudder's Specific Medication and Specific Medicines; King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Ellingwood's American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
In formulas
Black cohosh stands in 17 documented formulas in the library, among them Menopause Support Formula.
Often paired with
Dwarf ElderAralia Hispida
SpikenardAralia Racemosa
MotherwortLeonurus cardiaca
BloodrootSanguinaria canadensis
Licorice rootGlycyrrhiza glabra
Poke rootPhytolacca americanaNearby on the shelf
BitterwoodPicrasma excelsa
Black alderPrinos verticillatos
Black BambooPhyllostachys nigra
Black birchBetula Lenta
Black elderSambucus nigra
Black gramVigna mungo
Black HorehoundBallota nigra
Black huckleberryVaccinium resinosumThe whole plate is in the library. The compass, Compare, the Sky of eleven hundred plants and the formulary open with an email address and a password, free, with the formula builder and its safety engine. Herbert without limit, his formulating, clients, the handouts and the labels are the paid room.
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