Cimicifuga racemosa
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| Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt. |
Cimicifuga racemosa (Black cohosh, Black bugbane or Black snakeroot; syn. Actaea racemosa) is a member of the family Ranunculaceae, native to eastern North America from the extreme south of Ontario south to central Georgia, and west to Missouri and Arkansas.
It is a glabrous herbaceous perennial plant, growing 0.75-2.5 m tall. The basal leaves are up to 1 m long and broad, tripinnately compound, the leaflets with a coarsely toothed margin. The flowers are produced in late spring and early summer on a tall stem in racemes up to 50 cm long; they have no petals or sepals, only a tight cluster of 55-110 white stamens 5-10 mm long surrounding the white stigma. The flowers have a distinctly sweet smell. The fruit is a dry follicle 5-10 mm long containing several seeds.
Although Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) is similarly named, it is actually a plant in a separate genus.
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[edit] Herbal use
Black cohosh is an herbal medication included in dietary supplements designed for women which may help the symptoms of premenstrual tension, menopause and other gynecological problems. It was thought that black cohosh contained estrogen-like chemicals, but recent research suggests that it works by binding to serotonin receptors. Native Americans used black cohosh to treat other disorders as well, including sore throats and kidney problems.
Black cohosh has been used as an abortifacient.
[edit] Side effects
Black cohosh should not be used during pregnancy or lactation. There is a case report of neurological complications in a postterm baby after labor induction with a mixture of black cohosh and blue cohosh (Caullophylum thalictroides) during a home birth.[1] Other cases of adverse outcomes experienced by neonates born to women who reportedly used blue cohosh to induce labor have been published in peer-reviewed journals.[2]
Black cohosh produces endometrial stimulation. Since black cohosh increases blood flow to the pelvic area, its use is not recommended during menses as it may increase or prolong bleeding.[3] Because of the possible estrogenic action, it should be used with caution after six months.[4] Additionally, black cohosh contains tannin, which inhibits iron absorption.[5] This, considered with possible effects of enhancing menstrual bleeding, gives good cause to monitor iron stores when taking black cohosh.
No studies have been published on long-term safety in humans.[6] However concerns arise that, in humans, because of its estrogen-like effects, long-term use may promote metastasis of estrogen-sensitive cancer tissue via stimulation of cells in the endometrium or breast. Black cohosh increased metastasis of cancer to the lungs (but did not cause an increased incidence of breast cancer) in an experiment done on mice.
The liver damage reported in a few individuals using black cohosh has been severe, but large numbers of women have taken the herb without reporting adverse health effects.[7] While studies of black cohosh have not proven that the herb causes liver damage, Australia has added a warning to the label of all products containing black cohosh, stating that it may cause harm to the liver of some individuals and should not be used without medical supervision.[8]
Aside from increased menstrual bleeding and rare but serious hepatic dysfunction, reported direct side-effects include dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, and occasional gastric discomfort. Additional possible side effects include headaches, seizures, vomiting, sweating, constipation, low blood pressure, slow heartbeats, weight gain, and loss of bone mass (leading to osteoporosis).[9]
[edit] Garden use
Cimicifuga racemosa grows in dependably moist, fairly heavy soil. It bears tall tapering racemes of white midsummer flowers on wiry black-purple stems, whose mildly unpleasant, medicinal smell at close range gives it the common name 'Bugbane'. The drying seed heads stay handsome in the garden for many weeks. Its burgundy, deeply cut leaves add interest to American gardens, wherever summer heat and drought do not make it die back, which make it a popular garden perennial.
[edit] External links
- Safety Concerns
- Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin, April 2006, Noted 49 cases of live toxicity worldwide have been associated with the use of black cohosh. 4 Cases in the group required liver transplants. Serious cases of liver toxicity have been been reported with use for less than a month. Listed as Do Not Use in Worst Pills Best Pills, August 2006, p63
- Flora of North America: Cimicifuga racemosa
- Missouri plants: Cimicifuga racemosa (detailed photos)
- Chemical background of black cohosh.
- General information about black cohosh.
- Article on a recent study of Black cohosh
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) "Workshop on the Safety of Black Cohosh in Clinical Studies" Nov 2004 Large .pdf file addresses rare liver toxicty issues, lung mets in the mouse study from 2003, and concludes that there was NO COMPETENT EVIDENCE to support concerns about safety with respect to use of black cohosh in breast cancer patients as long as they are being followed by their doctors.
Section Eclectic herbal information
- Cimicifuga racemosa (Black Cohosh, Macrotys) King's American Dispensatory @ Henriette's Herbal
- Cohosh, Black Mrs. Grieve's "A Modern Herbal" @ Botanical.com
Section Herbal information
- Cimicifuga (now known as Actaea) racemosa (NUTT.) HerbMed
- Black Cohosh (pdf) Longwood Herbal Task Force
- Black Cohosh Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre
Section Homeopathic information
- Actaea racemosa (act-r.)(cimic.) "Kent's Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica" by Dr Robert Séror
