Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)

Botanical name: Actaea racemosa

Common name: Black Cohosh

Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)

Part Used/Preparation: Roots/rhizome.

Energetics + taste: Cooling + relaxing; pungent

Actions + properties Analgesic (anodyne), anti-arrhythmic, antidepressant, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, antivenomous, emmenagogue, and hypotensive

• Hormonal:

  • Isoflavones attach to the estrogen beta receptor in the hypothalamus. When the hypothalamus detects this, it reduces GnRH secretion, which results in less LH. This basically tricks the feedback loop into behaving as if estrogen levels are higher than they actually are. Unclear if FHS is reduced.

  • Shows improvement in menopausal symptoms, specifically depression, short term memory loss, fatigue, sleeplessness, stimulation of vaginal mucosa and tinnitus. Not considered as treatment for digestive issues of menopause.

  • With regular use after 8 weeks, clinical trials report that use of black cohosh to reduce menopausal symptoms is as effective as HRT.

  • Black cohosh acts on serotonin receptors which regulate thermoregulation.

  • Black cohosh effect dopamine + opioid neurotransmitters which support healthy mood and thermoregulation.

  • Helpful in cases of hysteria.

  • Not a phytoestrogen.

• Cancer:

  • The combination of Tamoxifen + Black cohosh results in a stronger inhibition of cancer growth than each alone respectively.

  • Isoflavone genistein attaches to estrogen receptor beta, which inhibits cancer cell proliferation by inducing cell apoptosis (cell death) and suppressing angiogenesis (new blood cells that feed cancer).

• Venomous Bites:

  • Was historically used by natives to treat rattlesnake and other poisonous bites.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis:

  • May have some effects- more research needed.

• Bronchial Issues:

  • Works as a strong antispasmotic in bronchial muscles, useful in whopping cough, asthma + bronchitis and other muscle spasms.