Cimicifuga racemosa
Ranuncularceae
A member of the buttercup family, black cohosh is also known as black snakeroot, bugbane, bugwort, squawroot, and Rattleroot.

Parts Used: root
Energy and Flavors: sweet,pungent,slightly bitter cool
Systems Affected: Liver, spleen, stomach, large intestine, nervous system.
Biochemical Constituents: Various glycosides including actaeine and cimicifugin;racemosin, estrogenic substances, triterpenes, isoferulic acid, tannin.
Properties: Antispasmodic,expectorant,emmenagogue, diaphoretic, alterative.

Black cohosh is used for all nervious conditions. It is used to relieve nerve pains,heaviness, numbness and neuralgia generally. It is also commonally used as an emmenagogue to relieve menstraul pains and the pangs of childbirth. Ideally, it should be given in combination with other similar herbs.

For nerviousness and insomnia combine equal parts black cohosh root, skullcap, wood betony, passion flower, valerian and half part cayenne pepper. For menstaul pains and the pangs of childbirth, combine it with blue cohosh, raspberry leaf, camomile and ginger. To relieve arthritis it can be combined with equal parts angelica root, prickly ash and guiacum. For asthma and bronchial spasms it is combined with wild cherry bark, elecampane root and mullein.

Since it has a reputation of facilitating delivery, 10 to 15 drops of the extract can be taken 3 times daily a week before delivery due date or during the actual time of delivery itself.

Dose: standard decoction or 3-9 grams in formula; of the tincture, 10-30 drops.
Black cohosh is used for: nervousness, spasms, neuraligia, menstraul pains just before or during labor, asthma and coughs.

This species is relatively unique among woodland wildflowers in that it produces showy flowers in July when most others are out of bloom.

Description: Black cohosh is a tall, flowering plant found in rich, shady woods in eastern areas of North America. The plant is hardy and tall with feathery racemes of white blossoms measuring 1 to 3 feet long. The flowers bloom in June and July and thrive in moist, shady areas. The stout, black rhizome along with the root(both underground parts of the plant) are used for medicinal purposes.