Black Cohosh
Cimicifuga racemosa
Ranunculaceae
Names: Black Snakeroot, Bugbane, Rattleroot, Rattleweed, Squawroot.
Habitat: USA and Canada.
Collection: The roots are unearthed with the rhizome in autumn after the fruits
have ripened. They should be cut lengthwise and dried carefully.
Part Used: Root and rhizome; dried, not fresh.
Constituents:
- Triterpene glycosides, including actein, cimigoside, cimifugine (=macrotin), racemoside
- Isoflavones such as formononetin
- Isoferulic acid
- Miscellaneous; volatile oil, tannin
Actions: Emmenagogue, anti-spasmodic, alterative, nervine, hypotensive.
Indications: Black Cohosh is a most valuable herb
that has a powerful action as a relaxant and a normalizer of the female
reproductive system. It maybe used beneficially in cases of painful or delayed
menstruation. Ovarian cramps or cramping pain in the womb will
be relieved by Black Cohosh. It is very active in the treatment of rheumatic
pains, but also in rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis, in muscular
and neurological pain. It finds use in sciatica and neuralgia.
As a relaxing nervine it may be used in many situations where such an agent is
needed. It has been found beneficial in cases of tinnitus. Because of the
wealth of accrued experience, it is worth quoting from Kings American Dispensatory:
Kings "This is a very active, powerful, and
useful remedy, and appears to fulfill a great number of indications. It
possesses an undoubted influence over the nervous system. In small doses the
appetite and digestion are improved, and larger amounts augment the secretions
of the gastro-intestinal tract. Excretions from the skin and kidneys are
increased by it, the peculiar earthy odor of the drug being imparted to the
urine; the secretions of the bronchial mucous surfaces are also augmented under
its administration. The heart-beat is slowed and given increased power by it,
while arterial tension is elevated.
Upon the reproductive organs it exerts a specific
influence, promoting the menstrual discharge, and by its power of increasing
contractility of the unstriped fibers of the uterus, it acts as an efficient
parturient. The venereal propensity in man is said to be stimulated by
Cimicifuga.
Few of our remedies have acquired as great a reputation in
the treatment of rheumatism and neuralgia. Indeed, few cases of rheumatism, or
conditions depending upon a rheumatic basis, will present, which will not be
influenced for the better by Cimicifuga. Rheumatism of the heart,
diaphragm, psoasmuscles, "lumbago" "stiff neck" in fact all
cases characterized by that kind of pain known as "rheumatic" dull,
tensive intermittent, as if dependent upon a contracted state of muscular fibre,
soreness in muscular tissue, especially over the abdomen and in the extensor and
flexor muscles of the extremities, all yield readily to it.
Muscular pain of a rheumatoid character, when not
amounting to a true rheumatic attack, and other rheumatoid pains when acute and
not of spinal origin such as gastralgia, enteralgia, tenesmic vesical pains,
pleurodynia, pain in the mediastina orbits or ears, are relieved by Cimicifuga.
In diseases of the ear the drug is indicated when the condition is aggravated by
rheumatic association, or in neuralgia of the parts with stiffness in the
faucial and pharyngeal muscles. In eye strain, giving rise to headache, and
associated with a sensation of stiffness in the ocular muscles, or a bruised
feeling in the muscles of the frontal region, it will give marked benefit. In
doses of 1 fluid drachm of the tincture, repeated every hour, it has effected
thorough cures of acute conjunctivitis, without the aid of any local
application.
Cimicifuga plays a very important part in the therapeutics of gynecology. It
is a remedy for atony of the reproductive tract. In the painful conditions incident
to imperfect menstruation, its remedial action is fully displayed. By its special
affinity for the female reproductive organs, it is an efficient agent for the
restoration of suppressed menses. It is even a better remedy in that variety
of amenorrhoea termed "absentio mesium". In dysmenorrhoea it
is surpassed by no other drug, being of greatest utility in irritate and congestive
conditions of the uterus and appendages, characterized by tensive, dragging
pains, resembling the pains of rheumatism. If the patient be despondent
and chilly, combine Cimicifuga with Pulsatilla, especially in anemic
subjects. It is a good remedy for the reflex "side-aches" of the unmarred
woman; also for mastitis and mastodynia. It should be remembered in
rheumatism of the uterus, and in uterine leucorrhoea, with a flabby condition
of the viscus, its effects are decided. When there is a disordered action or lack of
functional power in the uterus, giving rise to sterility, Cimicifugaoften
corrects the impaired condition and cures. Reflex mammary pains during
gestation are met by it, and in rheumatic subjects it promptly relieves such ovarian
troubles as ovarialgia and neuralgia, the pain being of an aching
character. Orchialgia and aching sensations of the prostate
are conditions calling for Cimicifuga, and as a tonic it is not without
good effects in spermatorrhoea.
Cimicifuga has proved a better agent in obstetrical
practice than ergot. It produces natural intermittent uterine contractions,
whereas ergot produces constant contractions, thereby endangering the life of
the child, or rupture of the uterus. Where the pains are inefficient, feeble, or
irregular, Cimicifuga will stimulate to normal action. It is an excellent
"partus praeparator" if given for several weeks before
confinement. It is a diagnostic agent to differentiate between spurious and true
labor pains, the latter being increased, while the former are dissipated under
its use. It is the best and safest agent known for the relief of after-pains,
and is effectual in allaying the general excitement of the nervous system after
labor.
Cimicifuga exerts, a powerful influence over the
nervous system, and has long been favorably known as a remedy for chorea. It may
be used alone or with Valeriana, equal parts. It is, particularly useful
here when associated with amenorrhoea, or when the menstrual function fails to
act for the first time. Its action is slow, but its effects, are permanent. It
has been used successfully as an antispasmodic in hysteria, epilepsy when due to
menstrual failures, asthma and kindred affections, periodical convulsions,
nervous excitability, pertussis, delirium tremens and many other spasmodic affections.
For headache, whether congestive or from cold, neuralgia,
dysmenorrhoea, or from la grippe, it is promptly curative. As a palliative agent
in phthisisp ulmonalis, good results are obtained, in that it lessens cough,
soothes the pain, especially the "aching" under the scapulae, lessens
secretions and allays nervous irritability. Fevers, intermittent and remittent
have been benefited by it; well-marked antiperiodic and tonic virtues having
been observed in the drug. In the exanthemata, it is a valuable agent,
controlling pain, especially the terrible "bone aches" of smallpox,
rendering the disease much milder. In scarlatina and measles, it relieves the
headache and the backache preceding the eruptions. It is stated that it has been
used in the south with some success as a prophylactic against variola. Cimicifuga
exerts a tonic influence over both the serous and mucous tissues of the system,
and will be found a superior remedy in the majority of chronic diseases of these
parts. In all cases where acidity of the stomach is present, this should first
be removed, or some mild alkaline preparation be administered in conjunction
with the remedy, before any beneficial change will ensue. As a remedy for pain, Cimicifuga
is a very prompt agent, often relieving in a few hours, painful conditions that
have existed for a long time.
The saturated tincture of the root is recommended as a
valuable embrocation in all cases where a stimulant, tonic, anodyne, and
alterative combined is required, as in all cases of inflammation of the nerves,
tic-dolloureux, periodic cephalic pain, inflammation of the spine, ovarian
inflammation, spasms of the broad ligaments, rheumatism, crick in the back or
side, inflammation of the eyes, old ulcers, etc. Preparations of Cimicifuga,
to be of any medicinal value, must be prepared from recently dried roots.
Preparations & Dosage : Decoction: pour a cup
of water onto l/2-l teaspoonfuls of the dried root and bring to boil. Let it
simmer for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.
"As a partus accelerator, it may be substituted for,
and should be preferred to, ergot; 1/2 drachm of the powdered root may be given
in warm water every 15 or 20 minutes, until the expulsive action of the uterus
is induced, and which it seldom fails to bring on speedily and powerfully. In
acute troubles, as acute muscular rheumatism, and in false pains, and as an
oxytocic, Webster prefers the strong decoction of the recent root in
tablespoonful doses. The fluid extract of black cohosh may be used in all cases
where the article is indicated; its dose is from 1/2 fluid drachm to 2 fluid
drachms. The ordinary dose for its specific effects is a teaspoonful of a
mixture of from 10 drops to 1 drachm of Cimicifuga tincture in 4 ounces
of water, the larger or smaller dose being determined by the condition of the
patient."
Remedies For:
Diaphoretic, antipyretic, antifungal, antibacterial
Black cohosh helps in the treatment of:
- Menopause
- Painful menstruation
- Uterine spasms
The primary traditional use of black cohosh has been as a
relaxant, sedative, and antispasmodic. Its effectiveness as a remedy for
dysmenorrhea has not been successfully proven, but research suggests a
pharmacological basis for its use in treating rheumatism and neuralgia.
Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Clears wind heat, regulates the circulation of qi,
relieves pain. It can be used for headache caused by wind heat; gingivitis;
hives; diarrhea; venting eruptive skin diseases, such as measles, in the early
stages; and prolapsed internal organs, such as the anus and uterus. The Chinese
say that this herb "lifts the sunken"; therefore, it is used to direct
other herbs upward and is also indicated for prolapsed organs. North American
cimicifuga may be similar though not identical to the Chinese variety.
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