Actaea racemosa, the black cohosh, black bugbane, black snakeroot, rattle-top, or fairy candle (syn. Cimicifuga racemosa), is a species of flowering plant of the family Ranunculaceae. It is native to eastern North America from the extreme south of Ontario to central Georgia, and west to Missouri and Arkansas. It grows in a variety of woodland habitats, and is often found in small woodland openings.
The roots and rhizomes are used in traditional medicine by Native Americans.[2] Its extracts are manufactured as herbal medicines or dietary supplements.[3] Most dietary supplements containing black cohosh are not well-studied or recommended for safe and effective use in treating menopause symptoms or any disease.[3][4] A thorough literature profiling suggests that Cimicifuga racemosa is more efficient compared to a placebo in treating vasomotor symptoms resulting from natural menopause. The present review clearly encapsulates the use of CR extract for effective and safe therapy to alleviate menopausal symptoms.[5]
History
Native Americans used black cohosh in the belief it could treat gynecological and other disorders.[3][8][12] The plant appeared in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia under the name "black snakeroot" during the year 1830.[3] In the 19th century, the root was used to treat snakebite, inflamed lungs, and pain from childbirth.[13]
Herbalism
Extracts from the underground parts of the plant — the rhizome (Cimicifugae racemosae rhizoma) and the root (Cimicifugae racemosae radix) — are used in herbal medicine.[2] The rhizomes and roots contain various saponins (triterpene saponins and triterpene glycosides, such as actein) as well as cimifugic acids and other phenol carboxylic acids.[3][4]
In most European countries, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Argentina and some other countries, black cohosh products are available as herbal products which have been approved by regulatory authorities ensuring reliable pharmaceutical quality, safety and efficacy for the relief of menopausal complaints such as hot flushes and profuse sweating.[4] In the U.S., India, and some other countries, black cohosh is used as a dietary supplement marketed mainly to women for treating menopausal symptoms and other gynecological problems.[8][14] Meta-analyses of contemporary evidence support these claims on menopausal complaints only for products holding a marketing authorization for this indication,[15] whereas there is no high-quality scientific evidence to support such uses for other products.[2][3][16]