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Cimicifuga racemosa
| Common name: |
Black Cohosh |
Family: |
Ranunculaceae |
| Author: |
(L.)Nutt. |
Botanical references: |
43, 200 |
| Synonyms: |
Actaea racemosa (L.) |
| Known Hazards: |
The plant is poisonous in large doses[7]. Large doses irritate nerve centres and may cause abortion[268]. |
| Range: |
Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Ontario, south to Georgia and Tennessee. |
| Habitat: |
Moist or dry shady rich woods[4, 43, 192, 222]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
1 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 4 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| C. cordifolia[B,P]
C. racemosa var. cordifolia[B,P]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Actee A Grappes [E], American Baneberry [E], Amerikansk Slangerod [E], Black Bugbane [B,P], Black Cohosh [E,H,S], Black Snakeroot [E,H], Bugbane [H], Cimicaire [E], Cimicifuga [E], Cohosh, Black [S], Rattle Root [E,H], Sauco [E], Slangenwortel [E], Squaw Root [H], Tahta Bitiotu [E], Wanzenkraut [E], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
racemosa = with racemes;
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA
Plants Database |
|
Order: Ranunculales. Buttercup family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
Britain; Canada; Denmark; France; Germany; Netherlands; Spain; Turkey; Us; Us(Amerindian); Us(Appalachia); Us(Indian); Us(Ny)
|
Physical Characteristics
Perennial growing to 1.5m by 0.6m . It is hardy to zone 4. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).
We rate it 1/5 for edibility and
4/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland).
It requires moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Woodland, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.Edible Uses
Leaves.
Leaves - cooked[105]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on
toxicity.
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Alterative; Antidote; Antiinflammatory; Antirheumatic; Antispasmodic; Astringent; Birthing aid; Cardiotonic; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Emmenagogue; Expectorant; Homeopathy; Hypnotic; Hypoglycaemic; Sedative; Tonic; Vasodilator; Women's complaints.
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[254]. A popular and widely
used herbal remedy, it is effective in the treatment of a range of
diseases[4].
The root is alterative, antidote, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent,
cardiotonic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, hypnotic,
sedative, tonic and vasodilator[4, 7, 21, 46, 57, 165, 192, 222]. It is
harvested in the autumn as the leaves die down, then cut into pieces and
dried[4]. The root is toxic in overdose, it should be used with caution and
be completely avoided by pregnant women[222]. 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[222]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, as
a sedative and an emmenagogue[213]. 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[222, 268]. 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[222, 254]. The root is also hypoglycaemic,
sedative and anti-inflammatory[222]. Used in conjunction with St. John's Wort
(Hypericum perforatum) it is 78% effective in treating hot flushes and other
menopausal problems[254]. An extract of the root has been shown to strengthen
the male reproductive organ in rats[222]. 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[268]. Its sedative action makes it useful for treating a
range of other complaints including tinnitus and high blood pressure[254].
The roots are used to make a homeopathic remedy[232]. This is used mainly
for women, especially during pregnancy[232]. We have a more details factsheet on the history and medicinal use of this plant. Email webmaster@pfaf.org for details.
Other Uses
Repellent.
Both the growing and the dried plant can be used to repel bugs and
fleas[211].
Cultivation details
Prefers a moist humus rich soil and some shade[1, 111, 200]. Grows well
in dappled shade[28, 31, 88]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1] and
tolerates drier soils[233].
Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[187].
A very ornamental species[233]. The flowers have an unusual, slightly
unpleasant smell[188] which is thought to repel insects[213]. Plants grow and
flower well in Britain, though they seldom if ever ripen their seed[4].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially
legumes[54].
Propagation
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[164].
The seed does not store well and soon loses its viability[200], stored seed
may germinate better if given 6 - 8 weeks warm stratification at 15°c and
then 8 weeks cold stratification[164]. 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.
Scent
-
Flowers: Fresh
- The flowers have an unusual, slightly unpleasant smell.
Suppliers
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
Web References
- Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
- [E] Ethnobotany Data
(common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
- [V] Images
from the Vascular Plant Image Gallery of the Texas A&M Bioinformatics Working Group.
- [W] Photos
(common names, range) from the University of Washington Medicinal Herb Garden.
- [B] Data
(Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
- [S] Image
from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
- [PHARM] Phytochemical Data
(common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [P] Data.
(uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
- [S] Illustration
from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
- [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
References for Actaea racemosa (a possible synonym).
References for the family Ranunculaceae.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
[28] Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980 ISBN 0-900629-78-9
A small but informative booklet listing plants that can be grown in shady positions with a few cultivation details.
[31] Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
[43] Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950
A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
[54] Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977 ISBN 0-584-10141-4
Interesting reading.
[57] Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.
Fairly readable but not very comprehensive. Deals with plants from around the world.
[88] RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987
Snippets of information from the magazine of the RHS. In particular, there are articles on plants that are resistant to honey fungus, oriental vegetables, Cimicifuga spp, Passiflora species and Cucurbits.
[105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976
The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
[111] Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926
A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.
[164] Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
[165] Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
An excellent small herbal.
[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
[192] Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979 ISBN 0-289-70864-8
A lot of details about the history, chemistry and use of narcotic plants, including hallucinogens, stimulants, inebriants and hypnotics.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[211] Coventry. B. O. Wild Flowers of Kashmir Raithby, Lawrence and Co. 1923
A nice little pocket guide to 50 wildflowers of Kashmir. This is part one of three, we have not seen the other two volumes
[213] Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
A nice book to read though it is difficult to look up individual plants since the book is divided into separate sections dealing with the different medicinal uses plus a section on edible plants. Common names are used instead of botanical.
[222] Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990 ISBN 0395467225
A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
[232] Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990 ISBN 0-333-55581-3
A concise beginner's guide to the subject. Very readable.
[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
[268] Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979 ISBN 0-85613-067-2
Excellent herbal with good concise information on over 400 herbs.
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Plant information taken from the
Plants For A Future -
Species Database.
Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963 This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Cimicifuga+racemosa
This page (US) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Cimicifuga+racemosa
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