|
Latin
Names: Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt.
Family
Name: Ranunculaceae
Common
Names: Black Cohosh,
Black Snakeroot, Squawroot, Bugbane
Parts
Used: Root/Rhizome
....
Botanical
Description
Graceful
perennial to 1.5 m (5’) tall, on thick, gnarled, blackish rootstalk
bearing a smooth, stem with alternate leaves subdivided into 2-,
3-, or 5-ovate toothed leaflets, 4-7.5 cm (1½-3’’) long. Slender
‘bottlebrush’ spikes of creamy-white flowers 30-100 cm (1-3’) long
on a terminal raceme appear in summer. Rhizome thick, hard and knotty,
with short lateral branches, cylindrical, compressed, marked with
transverse leaf scars. Transverse section horny with a hard, thick
bark. Rootlets, when present, show a Maltese cross effect in transverse
section. Taste bitter and acrid; odour disagreeable.
Distribution
Indigenous
to eastern Canada and United States. Prefers rich open woodland
and cleared hillsides.
Cultivation
Wild;
moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade. Propagate by seed sown
undercover when ripe in autumn, or by division any time.
Harvest
Rhizomes
are lifted in autumn and used fresh in tinctures, dried decoctions,
or extracts.
Constituents
Ø
Triterpene glycosides, including actein, cimigoside, cimicifugin
(=macrotin) and racemoside.
Ø
Isoflavones such as formononetin.
Ø
Isoferulic acid.
Ø
Miscellaneous; volatile oil, tannin. Also 15-20% cimicifugin or
macrotine; mixture of resins and bitters (resina cimicifuge); essential
oil; substances with estrogenic hormonal properties; triterpene
glycoside (acaeine) and alkaloids (citisine) [reference to Von Hellemont].
Properties:
Antispasmodic, Alterant,
Emmenagogue, Diuretic, Astringent,
Expectorant
The
root of this plant is largely used as an antispasmodic and alterative.
Its influence on the nerves is very gradual, but it is, at the same
time, a powerful agent, soothing, relieving local pains, and is
of use in general nervous excitement. In insomnia and headache where
the pain is felt at the back of the head and the base of the brain,
give the infusion in small doses. It will relieve your patient.
It
is useful in hysteria, hysterical convulsions, asthma, whooping
cough and chorea. It is in these conditions that its antispasmodic
powers are seen. It is, for this same reason, a very good remedy
in peurperal convulsion.
While
Black Cohosh has attained fame as an agent in rheumatism and chorea,
it is without a doubt a most valuable agent for pelvic disturbances.
In uterine troubles its influence is quite marked. It relieves rheumatism
and neuralgia of the latter organ. In retention of the menses and
painful menstruation it is very efficient. Where the menstrual flow
is retarded by cold or exposure, give your patient a warm infusion;
it is a most dependable article.
A
very fine combination in these latter conditions is equal parts
of Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga
rac.) and Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum
thal.). In apoplexy try the following:
Fluid
Extract Cimicifuga rac. Rhizome/Root...........
1 ounce
Fluid
Extract Betonica off. (Wood Betony) Herb...........
1 ounce
Tincture
Capsicum Dry Fruit........... 2 drachms
Give
one teaspoonful every 10 minutes until patient improves, then every
hour or two as indicated. Meanwhile the feet of the patient should
be placed in hot water with mustard and Cayenne. After removing
the feet from the foot bath, place a hot water bottle wrapped in
a flannel wrung out of vinegar to the feet. An injection of Lobelia,
Scullcap and Capsicum, about ¼ teaspoonful of each in ¾ pint of
warm water injected, about the warmth of fresh milk, will help.
The object is to remove the pressure from the brain. The above will
equalize the circulation. If the injection does not evacuate the
bowels, repeat it. Your patient will perspire freely.
In
using Black Cohosh in coughs, a syrup is often made by adding sugar
to a decoction of the roots. This syrup may very profitably be used
as a base for alterative compounds. In the eruptive diseases, as
smallpox, this syrup may be given freely for a day or two when it
will be found of greater value. It manifests a fine influence on
the secernents, the liver, kidneys and lymphatics will soon be brought
under its influence. The syrup is often given to children for whooping
cough.
Contraindications
1.
Toxicity: No mention of any toxicity in the literature.
2.
Gastrointestinal disturbance.
3.
Overdoses cause nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
|
