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.