BLACK COHOSH
Cimicifuga racemosa
COMMON NAMES: Bugbane, rattleroot, squawroot, snakeroot, black snakeroot.
FEATURES: The plant is a genus of the crowfoot family, comprising about twenty species, native to North
America, Asia, and Europe.
The best-known American species, because of its medicinal properties, is the bugbane (Cimicifuga
racemosa). Cimicifuga, from the Latin “to drive away,” so named because certain species are used to
drive away bugs and other insects. Can also be used as an antidote for the venom of serpents. Black
cohosh can be seen in upland woods and hillsides. A perennial herb with a large knotty root, having a few
short roots. The stem is simple, smooth, and furrowed, 3–9 feet high, with irregular leaves. The small
white flowers are numerous in wandlike racemes, flowering from May to August. The root contains a
resin known as cimicifugin (macrotin), starch, gum, tannic acid, etc.
MEDICINAL PART: Root.
SOLVENT: Boiling water enhances the properties of the root but dissolves only partially; alcohol
dissolves wholly.
BODILY INFLUENCE: Alterative, diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant, antispasmodic, sedative (arterial and
nervous), cardiac stimulant (safer than Digitalis), emmenagogue.
USES: Native American women knew of black cohosh for relieving pain during menstrual period and used
its properties extensively during childbirth.
Dr. Young introduced Cimicifuga racemosa to the medical world in 1831. It was adapted as a cardiac
tonic in fatty heart, chorea, acute and chronic bronchitis, rheumatism, neuralgia, hysteria, phthisis,
dyspepsia, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and seminal emission. It is also admirable treatment for scarlet
fever, measles, and smallpox. Regarded by some physicians as one of the best agents in use for whooping
cough.
2 tablespoonfuls of tincture of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
2 tablespoonfuls of tincture of bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
2 tablespoonfuls of tincture of lobelia (Lobelia inflata)
2 tablespoonfuls of syrup of squill (sea onion)
DOSE: 15–30 drops every three or four hoursThe above tinctures have been successfully employed in Saint Vitus’ dance and in asthma, delirium