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Black cohosh is one of the medicinal plants known since ancient times, but the study of its beneficial properties is still ongoing. North American Indians used the herb to treat many diseases, and the plant received its not very sonorous name because of the unpleasant odor of the leaves, which tends to repel bedbugs. Even in the scientific name - Dahurian cohosh - this property is officially enshrined: translated from Latin, cimex means “bug”, and fugare means “drive”. There are contraindications to using the plant for health benefits, so its handling and use must be carried out in compliance with all safety rules.
Description of Daurian black cohosh
Cymcyfuga is a perennial plant from the Ranunculaceae family, found in Asia and North America.
The distribution area of black cohosh in the Russian Federation is Transbaikalia, Khabarovsk Territory, and the coast of the Sea of Japan. It likes valleys, meadows, clearings with dry soil, it is found among shrubs, and is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
The culture can grow in one place for up to 25 years; it is tenacious, unpretentious and winter-hardy.
Plant height – up to 2 m.
The photo of black cohosh shows that its rhizome is thick, powerful, branched, highly fibrous, multi-headed. The growths are large, tightly connected to each other, and take a long time to die off. The color of the roots is very dark, almost black.
On the strong, tall, rounded stems of the plant there are about 10 narrow racemose inflorescences with numerous small flowers of greenish, white, and pink colors. They have about 8 sepals, 5 petals and a large number of stamens. Black cohosh flowers bloom gradually, from bottom to top, the sepals fall off and the inflorescence takes on a very attractive appearance. Flowering of the plant begins in July-August and lasts about a month. As a result, small scaly seeds are formed. Around the seed is a flat, fringed wing.
The leaves of black cohosh are large, reaching a length of 70 cm, dissected, pinnately compound. Their color can vary from light green to brown. The foliage, which turns yellow in autumn, does not lose its attractiveness. On the stems of the plant, the lower leaves are on long petioles, with pointed lobes, the upper ones are small or absent at all.
The most common types of plants are black cohosh, black cohosh, black cohosh and simple cohosh.
Chemical composition of Daurian black cohosh
Despite the long history of Dahurian black cohosh, its properties have not been sufficiently studied. The rhizomes of the plant contain many useful components:
- Tannin. Tannin, which has antibacterial, astringent, hemostatic properties, is capable of binding toxins and toxic salts of heavy metals;
- Glycosides. Thanks to them, the force of cardiac output increases, the heart rate decreases;
- Salicylic acid. Reduces inflammation, thins the blood.Its effect on reducing the risks of stroke and heart attack is also known;
- Phytosterol. The plant equivalent of cholesterol has a similar structure. Phytosterol is found in cell membranes and is responsible for maintaining cell health. The substance helps reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol.
Alkaloids, resinous compounds, as well as hesperidic and methoxycinnamic acids were found in the roots of black cohosh.
The plant contains microelements valuable for human life:
- selenium – a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from free radicals;
- iron – takes part in providing oxygen to organs and their systems;
- calcium – the strength of the skeletal system, nervous excitability and muscle contractility depend on it;
- magnesium – participates in the formation of new cells, brain function, strengthening the nervous system.
What are the benefits of Daurian black cohosh?
For medicinal purposes, the rhizomes of black cohosh are used, which are dug up in late August-early September, washed, cut into pieces, wilted and dried. From the raw materials of the plant, infusions and tinctures are prepared that have a positive effect on the body:
- blood pressure levels gradually and steadily decrease to normal;
- sleep is restored;
- headaches disappear;
- the amplitude of heart contractions increases;
- the secretory activity of the digestive organs increases;
- sweating increases;
- uterine contraction increases during childbirth;
- asthenia is eliminated.
Preparations made from black cohosh help in the treatment of a number of diseases:
- bronchial asthma;
- neuralgia;
- hypertension at an early stage;
- dysmenorrhea;
- cardiac asthma.
They are used as emergency aid for snake bites and to treat sexually transmitted diseases.
Powder from the roots of black cohosh can relieve toothache, heal rashes that appear during measles, and also restores the mucous membrane in the oral cavity during ulcerations, and relieves symptoms of fever.
Black cohosh contains substances that can stimulate the formation of estrogens. For this reason, drugs based on it are used in gynecology. It is possible to use the plant for irregular and painful periods, to correct the process and improve the condition of the female body. Powder from rhizomes is prescribed for prolapse of the uterus and rectum.
The use of Dahurian black cohosh in folk medicine
The raw material of Daurian cohosh tastes very bitter, so the use of tea from the plant is not practiced in folk medicine. Tinctures, decoctions, infusions, and syrups are prepared from black cohosh.
To prepare the tincture, you will need:
- 1 tablespoon of black cohosh rhizomes;
- 1 glass of alcohol (70%).
Cooking method:
- Place the rhizomes of the plant in a glass container.
- Fill with alcohol solution (70%).
- Keep in a cool, dark place for a week, shake occasionally.
Take with water, 30 drops, three times a day - as a sedative for neuralgia, hysteria, insomnia, rheumatism. The benefits of black cohosh tincture in the treatment of hypertension and cardiac asthma are noted. The course lasts from one to one and a half months. You need to consult a doctor.
To prepare syrup from the roots of the plant you need:
- Pour 50 g of black cohosh powder into 0.5 liters of boiling water.
- Boil the mixture over low heat for 2 hours, stirring constantly.
- Strain.
- For every 100 ml of liquid add 100 g of sugar.
- Cook until completely and evenly dissolved.
It is recommended to use black cohosh syrup for neuralgia, hypertension, inflammation in the oral cavity, as an antidote after poisoning with scopolia grass. In these cases, take 0.5 teaspoon of the product 5 times a day. Before using preparations from the plant, you should consult your doctor.
To relieve pain in joints and muscles, apply a bandage soaked in a decoction of black cohosh. Its preparation consists of boiling the dried root in a small amount of water over low heat for an hour. The compress is applied for 20 minutes.
An infusion of black cohosh helps with gastritis and enterocolitis. The recipe for making it is simple:
- Pour 5 g of herb into a glass of water.
- Boil for 5 minutes.
- Leave for 24 hours.
- Strain.
The use of black cohosh in all forms is carried out only after consultation with a doctor.
Contraindications for use
Research by specialists and the history of the use of black cohosh show that the plant is not toxic, regardless of the duration of its use. Use is limited only by individual intolerance and contraindications. Consumption of black cohosh is not recommended:
- during pregnancy and lactation;
- under three years of age;
- patients with an allergic reaction to aspirin;
- for strokes, thrombosis, convulsions.
Caution is required if the black cohosh plant is used together with drugs to lower blood pressure and thin the blood, as it will enhance their effect.
Taken together with hormonal drugs requires medical consultation.
It is important to remember that the maximum single dose of black cohosh powder is from 40 to 200 mg, per day - no more than 1 g.
Among the side effects of consuming black cohosh, it is worth noting:
- headache;
- rare heart rate;
- constipation;
- dizziness;
- increased sweating;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- blurred vision.
Conclusion
Black cohosh, for all its benefits, does not have a very romantic name. But it has remarkable medicinal properties that have been used for centuries and are still used today. It is important to follow the rules and dosage of using the plant, taking into account contraindications and possible side effects. And you can use the German name: because of the beauty of the inflorescences, black cohosh is called “silver candle” in Germany.
