Black cohosh
Actaea racemosa, family Ranunculaceae. Part discussed: Rhizome and root.
Identity
- Common name
- Black cohosh
- Botanical name
- Actaea racemosa
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Part or material
- Rhizome and root
- Classification
- Botanical
- Educational category
- Women's Wellness
About
EMA names Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt., rhizome; NCCIH records both Actaea racemosa and Cimicifuga racemosa, part given as root or rhizome. Naming duality and part scope are open.
Forms and distinctions
Dry extracts in solid oral forms. Regulator conclusions limit use to adult women.
Safety considerations
Side effects include liver problems, allergic skin reactions, swelling of face and extremities, and gut symptoms, with instruction to stop and consult a doctor immediately on symptoms suggestive of liver problems. Cases of liver damage, some very serious, have been reported in people taking products labelled as black cohosh; some commercial products have been found to contain the wrong herb or unlisted mixtures; black cohosh and blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) are different herbs, blue cohosh being associated with serious adverse effects; safety is uncertain for women who have had hormone-sensitive conditions; use during pregnancy or breastfeeding may not be safe.
References
- EMA HMPC Cimicifugae rhizoma · European Medicines Agency, herbal medicine monograph
- NCCIH "Black Cohosh: Usefulness and Safety · US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
This entry is educational. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not a statement about any Pam Oh Herbs Collection or its contents. It carries no dosage and no claim of effect.