Learn the Benefits of Black Cohosh Root

Black Cohosh Root

Black cohosh root (also known as black snakeroot, rattle root, rattle snakeroot, and squawroot) is native to North America and has been used as a herbal remedy by the Native Americans for centuries to treat gynecological complaints and other disorders.

Black cohosh is a perennial plant belonging to the buttercup family. It grows in woodland habitats, reaches a height of 4-8 feet, and has feathery white flowers.

Constituents include vitamin A, vitamin C, tannins, actein, salicylic acid, cimicifugin, and formononetin.

Benefits of Black Cohosh Root

Black cohosh has been approved in Germany for more than 50 years and is commonly used in other European countries.

Female Complaints

Black cohosh root is well known as a “woman’s remedy”. It has been shown, in vitro, to have estrogenic activity.[1] It is used to treat menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, irritability, and mood swings. Numerous studies have been done and although some show no evidence of it being an effective treatment, many have shown positive results. Some experts conclude it is a safe alternative to hormone replacement therapy.

Black cohosh root is also used to treat menstrual irregularities, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), breast pain, uterine pain, ovarian pain, and pain during and after childbirth.

Other possible benefits include:

• reducing inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and neuralgia
• soothing the nervous system
• treating fever, sore throat, kidney ailments, high blood pressure, and tinitus (ringing in the ears).

Precautions

Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, sweating, dizziness, and headaches.

Black cohosh root should not be taken by women who are pregnant because it can provoke miscarriage. Women who are breastfeeding should not use.

Women taking hormone replacement therapy should consult with a health care provider before taking.

It is controversial if whether women who have a strong family history or personal history of breast cancer should take black cohosh root.

Preparing Black Cohosh Root Tea

To get the benefits of black cohosh root in the form of tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried root, cover, steep for about 20 minutes, and strain. The tea should be cooled before drinking.

References

[1] Planta Medica 65: 763-764, 1999

Disclaimer

Please read this disclaimer regarding the information contained within this article.