Black cohosh is a medicinal plant native from eastern North America. Known for its anti-inflammatory, sedative, and pain-relieving properties, black cohosh has the potential to relieve menopausal symptoms and support reproductive health. However, clinical research is limited and far from conclusive. Keep reading to discover the benefits and side effects of black cohosh.<\/p>\n
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Scientific name<\/strong>: Actaea racemosa\/Cimicifuga racemosa<\/em><\/p>\n Common names<\/strong>: Baneberry, black cohosh, black snakeroot, bugbane, cimicifuga, rattleroot, rattleweed, rattletop, traubensilberberze, squawroot, and wanzenkraut.<\/p>\n Actaea racemosa, <\/em>also known as black cohosh, is a medicinal plant from the Ranunculaceae <\/em>family, and native from Eastern North America. Before the arrival of the Europeans, Native Americans used black cohosh to relieve various disorders including several conditions unique to women such as menopause and amenorrhea [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Black cohosh became an official drug in the United States Pharmacopeia in 1820. Yet, black cohosh grew in popularity in 1844 when Dr. John King, an eclectic physician, published its use as a treatment for a variety of conditions including chronical ovaritis, endometriosis, and menstrual derangements [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Today, black cohosh is still used to treat several disorders like anxiety<\/a> and menopausal symptoms. However, there is an ongoing debate on the efficiency of black cohosh to treat these conditions [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Proponents:<\/strong><\/p>\n Skeptics:<\/strong><\/p>\n The key medical components in black cohosh include triterpene glycosides<\/strong>, phenolic acids<\/strong>, flavonoids<\/strong>, volatile oils<\/strong>, and tannins<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Currently, more than 20 polyphenolic derivatives have been found in the roots of black cohosh, including caffeic acid, isoferulic acid<\/strong>, fukinolic acid<\/strong>, and cimicifugic acids<\/strong>. These compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Also known as essential oils, volatile oils are insoluble in water and come from a variety of plants. Volatile oils may be helpful in the prevention and treatment of different chronic conditions [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Tannins are polyphenolic compounds present in many plant foods. They have anti-cancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<\/a>Snapshot<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Components<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Triterpene Glycosides<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a>Polyphenolic Acids<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/a>Volatile Oils<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/a>Tannins<\/strong><\/h4>\n