Ranunculaceae
Black Cohosh
Actaea racemosa
⚠ Use with Caution
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: Eastern North America
Also known as: Black Snakeroot, Fairy Candle, Bugbane, Cimicifuga
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Parts Used
Root
Therapeutic Uses
Menopausal symptoms — hot flushes, night sweats, mood disturbances, vaginal dryness (multiple clinical trials confirm efficacy). Dysmenorrhea, PMS, endometriosis pain, uterine fibroids.
Herbal Actions
Phytoestrogenic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, nervine, emmenagogue
Active Constituents
Triterpene glycosides (actein, cimicifugoside, 23-epi-26-deoxyactein), phenolic acids (isoferulic, fukinolic), alkaloids, tannins
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture💊 Capsule🍵 Decoction
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | Not ideal — poor palatability. Decoction: 1 tsp root per 250ml, simmer 20 min, 2x daily |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 60% ethanol), 2–3x daily |
| Notes | Standardized extract (Remifemin): 20mg 2x daily — most clinically studied form. Effects develop over 4–8 weeks. Limit use to 6 months without medical supervision. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
⚠ Use with Caution
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
⚠ Known interactions
Contraindications: Contraindicated in pregnancy (uterine stimulant, teratogenic risk). Avoid in hormone-sensitive cancers. Caution with hepatotoxic drugs — rare cases of liver damage reported.
Side Effects: GI upset, headache, dizziness. Rare but serious: hepatotoxicity (discontinue if jaundice occurs). Heavy feeling in legs.