Black Cohosh
Botanical Description & Habitat
Cimicifuga racemosa
Family
Ranuncleaceae
Common Names
| Battleweed | Black snakeroot |
| Bugbane | Bugwort |
| Cimicifuga | Cohosh |
| Columbine | Rattleroot |
| Rattleweed | Rich ridodrine |
| Snakeroot |
Habitat
North America, from Maine and Ontario to the southern United States; rich, open woods and hillsides.
Description
A perennial plant with a smooth, furrowed stem, cohosh grows from 3-9 feet in height. Its leaves are ternate, then pinnate, and are irregularly-shaped. There are 2-5 leaflets, egg-shaped or oblong and irregularly toothed and cut. Small white or yellow flowers grow in long racemes from June to August.
Medicinal Parts
Rhizome and root - dried, collected in autumn.
N.B. Blue Cohosh
White Cohosh (Actaea alba)
White Cohosh is also known as: Baneberry, Coralberry, Doll's eye and Snakeberry.
White Cohosh has similar traditional uses while homeopaths continue to use it for arthritis and rheumatism.
Historical Properties & Uses
Black cohosh was introduced to American medicine by native Indians, who called it "squaw root" in reference to its common use: treatment of uterine disorders. Clinical trials indicate it promotes and/or restores healthy menstrual activity; soothes irritation and congestion of the uterus, cervix and vagina; relieves the pain and distress of pregnancy; contributes to quick, easy, and uncomplicated deliveries; and promotes uterine involution and recovery.
In basic research, black cohosh displays hypotensive, vasodilatory, estrogenic, anti-inflammatory, and uterine contractile activity. Although the exact mode of action remains a mystery, the herb appears to act both directly on the tissues of the reproductive system, and indirectly through the nervous system.
It is hypothesized the herb's active principle influences circulation directly through the central nervous system, and indirectly by inhibiting the vasomotor centers involved in some vertigo and auditory problems; one of the few remaining medically recognized uses for black cohosh is to relieve auditory tinnitus. The plant is a primary nerve and smooth muscle relaxant.
This herb is approved by the German Commission E in PMS, dysmenorrhea and menopausal problems.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Method of Action
Black cohosh is hypotensive
Black cohosh has a general hypotensive property due to the presence of an active, water insoluable resin. It is hypothesized the active principle of the resin influences the central circulation directly as well as indirectly through inhibition of vasomotor centers.
Acteina was isolated as the active principle black cohosh. Further tests showed the chemical does not affect the periphery or the ganglionic synapses of the somatic nervous system, but decreases the vasomotor reflexes caused by clamping and unclamping the carotid arteries. Further, it has a hypotensive effect in rabbits even at very low doses.
In 1831, a report described four successive cases of chorea sancti viti (St. Vitus's Dance) successfully treated with black cohosh. A couple of the cases were well advanced with severe symptoms. The herbal cure took only a few days in each case. The doctors had no idea how the cure worked, but speculated it acted directly on the nerves. It was emetic on occasion, and seldom purgative. However it was never diaphoretic or diuretic. An editor's note described yet another case of successful treatment.
Black cohosh has estrogenic and hypoglycemic action. Estrogenic substances have been found, but not enough to justify some of the more exorbitant estrogenic claims made for the plant.
Hypoglycemic activity has been detected
Black cohosh has anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. Anti-inflammatory properties are also present. Black Cohosh has mild antibiotic principles in the oil.
Not all studies have been favorable. In the study referenced here, very little sedative effect on the brain and neuromuscular apparatus was found. Large doses administered to rats exerted no appreciable inhibitory effect on epileptiform convulsions produced by injections of camphor. It had no action on isolated intestinal or uterine muscles beyond a depressant and poisonous effect attributable to the oily constituent of the drug. The positive results of other studies, however, throw into question this study, and an accusation of selective testing might be made.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Possible Interactions
The oxytocic property of black cohosh, in conjunction with vasoconstrictors such as ephedrine, methoxamine, phenylephrine, or sympathomimetics, may cause severe hypertension.
It should also be noted that citrates and tannates, in conjunction with black cohosh, may produce erratic and unpredictable results due to oxytocic action, while black cohosh and sparteine may have synergistic oxytocic activity.
The topical application of the astringent herb black cohosh, in conjunction with the acne product tretinoin (retinoic acid, vitamin A acid), may adversely affect the skin.
The tannin in black cohosh may potentiate the antibiotic activity of echinacea. The tannin in tea made from this herb may be inactivated by the addition of milk or cream.
Comments
The neuromuscular relaxing action of black cohosh may be enhanced by the use of certain aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as clindamycin.
In the absence of other hard data, it may still be assumed that observable interactions may occur between the many central nervous system drugs and the psychoactive principles in black cohosh.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Black Cohosh is listed by the FDA as an herb of undefined safety.
Large doses are certainly emetic. No evidence exists to indicate the hypotensive property of the whole herb can adversely affect living organisms.
This herb has approval status by the German Commission E.
The German Commission E recommends a limited duration for the use of this herb of not over 6 months.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Dried tuber and root
0.3-2 grams
Tea
made of 1/2 tsp dried tuber or root
Fluid extract
1:1 in 90% alcohol, 0.3-2 ml
Tincture
1:10 in 60% alcohol, 2-4 ml
The German Commission E recommends a limited duration for the use of this herb of not over 6 months.
Daily dosage is 40 mg of the drug (usually as an extract: 40 - 60% alcohol).
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Am Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc of Hosp Pharm. Wash, D.C.
Benoit, P.S., et.al., Lloydia, 39, 160, 1976.
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Casaday, G.N., et.al. 1960. Postpartum hypertension after the use of vasoconstrictors and oxytocic drugs. Etiology, incidence, complications and treatment. J of the Am Med Assoc, 172 (Mar 5).
Costello, et. al., J Of The Am Pharm Assoc, 39, 177, 1950.
De Martinis, M., et.al. Milk thistle (silybum marianum) derivatives in the therapy of chronic hepatopathies. Clin. Ter., 94(3). pp. 283-315.
Duker, E., Kapanaski, L., Jarry, H. Wuttke, W Effects of extracts from Cimicijuga racemosa on gonadotropin release in menopausal women and ovariectomized rats. Planta Med. 57 (5) (1991): 420-424.
Farnsworth, N.R. & Segelman, A.B. Tile Till, 57, 52, 1971.
Foldes, F.F., J.N. Lunn & H.G. Benz. 1963. Prolonged respiratory depression caused by drug combinations. Muscle relaxants and intraperitoneal antibiotics as etiologic agents. Journal of the Am Medical Assoc, 183(2). pp. 672-673.
Genazzani, E. & Sorrentino, L. Vascular action of acteina: active constituent of actaea racemosa L. Nature, 194(5), 544-545, 1962.
Goodman, L.S. & A. Gilman. 1975. Pharm Basis of Thera. Macmillan, NY.
Gunn, T.R. & Wright, I.M. : The use of black and blue cohosh in labor. (Letter) N Z Med. J. 1996, 109, (1032): 410 - 411.
Hansten, P.D. 1979. Drug Interactions, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Phila.
Hyde, F.F. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. British Herbal Medicine Assoc: West Yorks, England, 1983
Kastrup, E.K., ed. 1981. Drug Facts and Comparisons, 1982 edition. Facts and Comparisions Division, J.P. Lippincott Co, Phila(St. Louis). List, P. & L. Hoerhammer. 1969-1976. Hagers Hanbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, vols. 2-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Linde, H. The constituents of Cimicijuga racemosa. 5. 27-deoxyacetylacteol. Arch Pharm 301 (1968): 335.
Macht, D.I. & Cook, H.M. A pharmacological note on cimicifuga. J Of The Am Pharm Assoc, 21(4), 324-330, 1932.
Martin, E. Drug Interactions Index, 1978/79. J.B. Lippincott Co., Phila.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Nishikawa, H. Screening tests for antibiotic action of plant extracts. Japanese J Of Experimental Medicine, 20, 337-349, 1949.
Salerna, G. La cimicifuga racemosa nel campo otoiatrico: ricerche sperimentali. Minerva Otorinolaringologica, 5(12), 140-147, 1955.
Sara, C. 1965. Drugs that complicate the course of anaesthesia. Medical Journal of Australia, 52. pp. 139-142.
Scientific Committee, British Herbal Pharmocopaeia, British Herbal Med. Assoc, Lane House, Cowling, Na Keighley, West Yorks, Bd Bd220lx, l983
Stuart, D.M. 1968. Drug metabolism Part 2. Drug interactions. PharmIndex, 10(10). pp. 4-16.
Vincent, D. & G. Segonzac. 1953. Comptes Rendus des Seances de la Societe de Biologie et de ses Filiales, 147. pp. 1776-1779.
Warner, W.A. & E. Saunders. 1971. Neuromuscular blockade associated with gentamicin therapy. J of the Am Med Assoc, 215. pp. 1153-1154.
Wright, E.A. & M.P. McQuillen. 1971. Antibiotic-induced neuromuscular blockade. Ann of NY Acad of Sci, 183(9).pp.183, 358-68.
Young, J. Observations on the remedial powers of the cimicifuga racemosa in the treatment of chorea. Am Journal Of Medical Science, 9, 310-315, 1831.
Multimedia
Cimicifuga racemosa
Cimicifuga racemosa 2
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