BLACK COHOSH
(Cimicifuga Racemosa)
General Description: A member of the buttercup family,
producing small white flowers.
Part Used: Rhizome
Uses:
stress
incontinence
excessive menstrual bleeding
hot flashes
depression
irritability
fatigue
headaches
vaginal dryness
antipyretic
painful menstruation
muscle spasms
arthritis
general pain
anti-inflammatory
Action:
Suppressing luteinizing hormone, anti-inflammatory and mimetics estrogen.
Dosage:
Tincture
10-60 drops/day
Powdered root or tea: 1-2 grams
40-200 mg daily, use
no more than 6 months
Precautions/Adverse
Reactions: Hypertension, increased bleeding during
menopause, headaches and rare stomach upset.
Contraindications: Do not use in pregnancy
during 1st two trimesters. Do not give to
children May or may not be safe with use of estrogen, more research
is needed. No adverse reactions have
been reported. The German Commission E does not contraindicate its use
during lactation.
Nursing Considerations:
Black cohosh can potentate antihypertensive drugs thus increasing hypotension if both
are used.
If women are on
estrogen replacement, black cohosh may interfere
with
replacement therapy.
Maximum effect may take up to 4
weeks.
Black cohash is sometimes used by herbalist with
blue cohash.
A recent report
sites after the use of black and blue cohash together,
a baby was born with asphyxia, leading to brain damage. The German Commission E recommends that black cohosh only be used
for 6 months, until further testing.
(References)
