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Common Name
Black Cohosh
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Botanical Name
Actaea racemosa
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Part Used
Root
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Clinical Summary
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Monograph
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Alcohol
60%
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Dose
10 to 40mL weekly
In modern times black cohosh’s most notable clinical application has been to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flushes in menopause. However, it is not just ‘the menopause herb’ and has a long history of being used for the nervous system. It is used for stressed menopausal women and muscle tension, where it soothes and relaxes the smooth muscles.
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Traditional Use
Black cohosh was used by North American indigenous people, and the Eclectics, for gynaecological conditions such as pain associated with premenstrual syndrome, pain during childbirth and menopausal complaints, including migraines. It has traditionally been used in China, Europe and North America for centuries to treat a variety of illnesses, including menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis.
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Actions
Anodyne, antispasmodic, sedative, hormone balancer, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, uterine tonic.
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Indications
• For the relief of menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, sweating, mood swings, depression, anxiety, vaginal dryness, insomnia
• Premenstrual syndrome, painful menstruation, ovarian and uterine pain, PCOS, infertility, miscarriage
• Childbirth and as a partus preparator in the final trimester of pregnancy, mastitis
• Nerve and muscle pain including rheumatic pain, musculoskeletal pain, sciatica and neuralgia
• Headaches, tinnitus
• Respiratory disorders such as whooping cough and asthma -
Energetics
Cooling
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Use in Pregnancy
Not recommended in the first and second trimester of pregnancy. Can be used as a partus preparator and during childbirth however there are no clinical trials to support the safety of this practice.
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Contraindications & Cautions
Several case reports link black cohosh to liver failure or autoimmune hepatitis however there is no conclusive evidence that black cohosh is the cause of liver damage in these patients. Until more is known monitor liver function in patients who take black cohosh. American herbalist Jim McDonald says that hepatotoxicity has been associated with standardised extracts however this has not been associated with the plant. He also says if too much black cohosh is taken, particularly the standardised, it can cause a dull achy headache.
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Drug Interactions
Possible beneficial interaction with anticancer treatments such as tamoxifen so women on these medications may require lower doses. It is recommended that patients taking the chemotherapy medications cisplatin or doxorubicin should avoid black cohosh until safety can be confirmed. A beneficial interaction with the fertility drug clomiphene citrate is possible under professional supervision.
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Dietary Information
Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free.
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Substitutes
Blue Cohosh, Dong Quai, False Unicorn.