Black cohosh belongs to the buttercup family. It is considered helpful against menopausal symptoms.
Occurrence and cultivation of black cohosh.
The black cohosh owes its name to its inflorescence. This reminds of a candle. The black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is known under various names. These include American Christopher’s wort, wild snakeroot, rattlesnake herb, bugweed, grape-shaped blackroot, consumptive root or lady’s root. The medicinal plant belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. The black cohosh owes its name to its inflorescence. This resembles a candle. The lady’s-foot is a herbaceous perennial plant that can reach heights of up to 2.5 meters. The flowering period of the buttercup plant is in the months of June and September. The plant has fruits that contain capsules six millimeters long, in which there are numerous seeds. Among the typical features of black cohosh is its dark and strong cylindrical rhizome. The large foliage leaves are ovate. Black cohosh is native to eastern North America and Canada. But nowadays it is also found in Northern Asia and Europe. As locations the plant prefers the edges of wooded areas, sparse forests as well as embankments and hedges. It can thrive up to an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level.
Effect and use
As a medicinal plant, black cohosh has been used since the 18th century. It gained special importance in gynecology. Thus, the North American Indians used it as a tonic for women to treat sciatica, arthritis, rheumatism and snakebite. But the plant was also suitable for the treatment of gynecological diseases or menopausal complaints, for which reason it was also called women’s root. In most cases, the Indians administered the plant in the form of a tea. From the Iroquois tribe, the roots of black cohosh were boiled and used as a foot bath. In addition, the herbal remedy served as a diuretic or to strengthen health. In the 20th century, Western medicine also recognized the positive effects of black cohosh on women’s reproductive organs. When it was possible to produce the active ingredients of the medicinal plant synthetically in the 1980s, it was finally possible to produce medicines. The positive effect of black cohosh can be traced back to the plant’s constituents. These are found in its rhizome. Thus, the women’s root contains triterpene glycosides such as cimifugoside and actein. Furthermore, flavonoids such as formononetin, cimicifugic acid as well as phenolic carboxylic acids belong to the ingredients of the medicinal plant. The active substances of black cohosh have the property of positively influencing the messenger substances of the nervous system. They also have an effect on the bonds that exist at the estrogen receptors. The positive effect of the medicinal plant has been proven in clinical studies. However, the first effect appears only after two to six weeks. According to recent research, black cohosh can also be used to slow down hormonally induced hair loss. Furthermore, the plant sap can be used as a protective agent against insects. Black cohosh has the property of having a positive effect on the pituitary gland. This causes a change in the level of hormones in the woman’s body. This affects the concentration of the hormones FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone), which are essential for the female cycle. Moreover, since black cohosh has an influence on the formation of prolactin, it also stimulates the production of breast milk. The dried rhizome of the black cohosh is of medicinal importance. For its use, every summer the rootstocks, which reach a length of 4 to 12 centimeters, are dug out. Then they are washed and dried. For medicinal use, black cohosh is presented in the form of preparations containing extracts. These are available in pharmacies as tablets or drops. The recommended daily dose of the herbal remedy is 40 milligrams. Unlike many other medicinal plants, black cohosh is not usually taken as a tea preparation. In principle, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking it.Thus, the gynecologist can decide whether the use of the drug is appropriate.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
For medical use, black cohosh is primarily used against women’s complaints such as menstrual cramps, premenstrual complaints and menopausal problems. But also against rheumatic diseases, osteoporosis (bone loss) or bronchial asthma, the medicinal plant can be used. It is considered useful to take women’s root for menopausal symptoms such as sweating and hot flashes. The same applies to nervous irritability, anxiety and sleep problems. The ingredients of black cohosh can also be combined with St. John’s wort. It is recommended not to take the herbal remedy for more than six months. Homeopathy also uses the roots of black cohosh for the treatment of female disorders. The homeopathic remedy is called Cimicifuga racemosa and has positive effects on the uterus and ovaries. In addition, it is said to facilitate childbirth and help against irregular contractions. If the symptoms worsen with cold, but improve with heat, the remedy is the right one according to homeopaths. In general, black cohosh is considered to be well tolerated when used. However, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, its use is not recommended. In addition, there is a risk of side effects. Thus, stomach problems occur in isolated cases. If the patient suffers from uterine cancer, black cohosh may be consumed only under the supervision of a physician. Furthermore, the increase of weight as well as damage to the liver are in the range of possibility.
