Practical
Plants

Cimicifuga racemosa

Black Cohosh

a perennial member of the Cimicifuga genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Spread
0.6 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is poisonous in large doses[25]. Large doses irritate nerve centres and may cause abortion[17].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - cooked[2]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Black cohosh is a traditional remedy of the North American Indians where it was used mainly to treat women's problems, especially painful periods and problems associated with the menopause[16]. A popular and widely used herbal remedy, it is effective in the treatment of a range of diseases[20]. The root is alterative, antidote, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent, cardiotonic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, hypnotic, sedative, tonic and vasodilator[20][25][10][22][24][5][8][13]. It is harvested in the autumn as the leaves die down, then cut into pieces and dried[20]. The root is toxic in overdose, it should be used with caution and be completely avoided by pregnant women[13]. See also the notes above on toxicity. The medically active ingredients are not soluble in water so a tincture of the root is normally used[13]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, as a sedative and an emmenagogue[12]. It is traditionally important in the treatment of women's complaints, acting specifically on the uterus it eases uterine cramps and has been used to help in childbirth[13][17]. Research has shown that the root has oestrogenic activity and is thought to reduce levels of pituitary luteinizing hormone, thereby decreasing the ovaries production of progesterone[13][16]. The root is also hypoglycaemic, sedative and anti-inflammatory[13]. Used in conjunction with St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) it is 78% effective in treating hot flushes and other menopausal problems[16]. An extract of the root has been shown to strengthen the male reproductive organ in rats[13]. The root contains salicylic acid, which makes it of value in the treatment of various rheumatic problems - it is particularly effective in the acute stage of rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica and chorea[17]. Its sedative action makes it useful for treating a range of other complaints including tinnitus and high blood pressure[16]. The roots are used to make a homeopathic remedy[14]. This is used mainly for women, especially during pregnancy[14].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Birthing aid
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Hypnotic
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vasodilator
Product or use
Women's complaints

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Both the growing and the dried plant can be used to repel bugs and fleas[11].

Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Ontario, south to Georgia and Tennessee.
Habitat
Moist or dry shady rich woods[20][21][8][13].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1]. Only just cover the seed. It germinates in 1 - 12 months or even longer at 15°c[4]. The seed does not store well and soon loses its viability[9], stored seed may germinate better if given 6 - 8 weeks warm stratification at 15°c and then 8 weeks cold stratification[4]. Prick out the young seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer[K]. Division in spring or autumn[1]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist humus rich soil and some shade[1][3][9]. Grows well in dappled shade[18][19][26]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1] and tolerates drier soils[15]. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[6]. A very ornamental species[15]. The flowers have an unusual, slightly unpleasant smell[7] which is thought to repel insects[12]. Plants grow and flower well in Britain, though they seldom if ever ripen their seed[20]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[23].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩

  7. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  8. Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70864-8

    ↩1↩2

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  10. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  11. Coventry. B. O. Wild Flowers of Kashmir Raithby, Lawrence and Co. 1923-00-00

    ↩

  12. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

  13. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  14. Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-333-55581-3

    ↩1↩2

  15. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  16. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  17. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  18. Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-900629-78-9

    ↩

  19. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

    ↩

  20. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  21. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  22. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  23. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩

  24. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩

  25. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  26. RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987-00-00

    ↩

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