Black Cohosh : Organic

Black cohosh is a shrub-like plant native to the eastern forests of North America, ranging from Ontario to Georgia, north to Wisconsin, and west to Arkansas. Its dried root and rhizome are the parts commonly used medicinally. When harvested from the wild, the root is black. Cohosh, an Algonquin Indian word meaning “rough,” refers to the plant’s gnarly root structure.

Native Americans valued the herb and used it for several conditions, ranging from gynecological problems to rattlesnake bites.  Some 19th-century American physicians used black cohosh for fever, menstrual cramps, articular conditions, and insomnia.

German clinical trials support the usefulness of black cohosh for women with hot flashes associated with menopause. A review of eight clinical trials found black cohosh to be both safe and effective for symptomatic relief of menopausal hot flashes.  Other symptoms that improved included night sweats, insomnia, nervousness, and irritability.

Black cohosh contains several components, including triterpene glycosides (actein and 27-deoxyactein) and isoflavones (formononetin).  Other constituents include aromatic acids, tannins, resins, fatty acids, starches, and sugars.