Content
Black cohosh, also known as black cohosh, is a plant with medicinal properties that can often be found in gardens and vegetable gardens. Growing black cohosh is quite simple, but you need to know the basic rules.
Description
The black cohosh plant belongs to the Buttercup family and is a perennial that can grow in one place for up to 20 years. The stem of the plant is straight and long, up to 1.5-2 m in height, the leaves are large and growing from the root. Black cohosh blooms in early summer and until autumn, producing long white clusters of small flowers with slight pubescence.
From the photo of black cohosh you can see the external beauty of the plant, but black cohosh flowers emit a rather unpleasant sweetish smell. But this aroma repels parasitic insects, which is where the second name of the plant comes from - black cohosh.In addition, the plant is highly valued for its medicinal properties, so the unpleasant aroma in no way reduces the popularity of black cohosh among gardeners and gardeners.
The homeland of black cohosh is North America, but currently black cohosh is cultivated in central Russia and Mongolia, Pakistan and India, Nepal and China.
Growing
Thanks to its decorative and beneficial properties, black cohosh is highly respected by gardeners. Growing a perennial plant is not difficult - black cohosh easily adapts to almost any conditions and does not have strict requirements for soil and lighting.
Planting black cohosh
Cohosh can be propagated by seeds or young seedlings. It is better to sow cohosh seeds in the spring, and young plants can be rooted in the open ground both in spring and autumn; the cohosh racemosa quickly takes root in a new place.
- The plant is characterized by increased endurance and tolerates almost any conditions. Black cohosh feels good in bright light, but in nature it often grows in shaded areas - therefore, in the garden it is better to choose a place protected from direct sunlight.
- It is better to choose nutritious and loose soil for black cohosh, so the perennial will grow stronger faster. Black cohosh also treats poor soils calmly, but does not like excessive moisture and stagnation of water. Therefore, the planting site must be well aerated; close proximity to groundwater is undesirable.
Before planting the plant in the ground, it is necessary to prepare the soil. To do this, the selected area is carefully dug up and a nutrient mixture consisting of peat, humus and a small amount of sand is added to the ground.You can also immediately add mineral fertilizers to the soil; in the first stages of growth, they will be very useful for black cohosh.
- The depth of the planting hole for the plant should be slightly greater than the root system of the young black cohosh; usually a hole is dug about 40 cm deep.
- Drainage is organized at the bottom of the planting hole - a layer of 8-10 cm of small pebbles, expanded clay or broken brick is poured. A small amount of nitrogen fertilizer is added to each hole.
- On top of the drainage, the hole is half filled with earth, and a black cohosh seedling is carefully lowered on top, trying not to damage the roots.
- The planting hole is filled to the top with soil, the soil is lightly compacted near the black cohosh stem, and then immediately watered with warm water.
- If you plan to plant several plants, you need to leave a sufficient distance of at least 60 cm between them - black cohosh grows quite quickly.
After planting and watering, it is recommended to mulch the soil with a layer of dry peat of several centimeters. A layer of mulch will not only deliver additional nutrients to the roots of black cohosh, but will also prevent premature evaporation of moisture.
Aftercare
Caring for black cohosh can be considered very simple. Basically it comes down to periodic watering and rare feeding of the plant.
- In spring and autumn, black cohosh usually needs natural soil moisture.However, during the dry summer months it is better to water the plant from time to time - black cohosh does not like serious drought. Watering is carried out infrequently - once every 3 weeks will be enough. But at the same time, you need to moisten the soil abundantly so that the water penetrates deeper into the soil - the roots of black cohosh are branched and long.
- After watering, the soil must be loosened so that more oxygen penetrates into the soil. In addition, regular loosening helps prevent the growth of weed, negatively affecting the health of black cohosh. Also, the soil at the roots can be mulched with straw or dry peat - this will reduce the frequency of weeding and watering.
- Black cohosh needs feeding immediately after planting; usually mineral fertilizers are applied directly into the planting hole. The first feeding of black cohosh lasts for a long time, up to 3 years of life, and subsequently the soil must be fertilized annually in early spring - it is recommended to use standard phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen substances. This stage is not obligatory - black cohosh grows quite well without additional feeding, however, with it, it blooms more luxuriantly and looks more decorative.
Since black cohosh does not belong to the category of heat-loving plants, it tolerates winter very well and does not require special care from gardeners. If severe cold and little snow are expected in winter, then black cohosh can simply be radically cut off at the root and buried with earth or covered with spruce branches. This will make it easier for black cohosh to overwinter, and in the spring it will produce new stems.
Pruning of a perennial plant can be done at will; usually, only wilted inflorescences are removed from the stems of cohosh in order to maintain the most decorative appearance.
Composition and medicinal properties of black cohosh
In gardening, black cohosh is valued not only for its beauty and insecticidal properties, but also for its medicinal qualities. The root of black cohosh is mainly used as a useful raw material; valuable substances are also contained in the leaves and juice. Includes:
- starch;
- fructose and sucrose;
- gums and resins;
- tannins and tannin;
- selenium, magnesium and calcium;
- iron;
- vitamins A and B;
- ascorbic acid;
- oleic and palmitic acids;
- phenols and alkaloids;
- flavonoids;
- salicylic and hesperitic acids;
- saponin and glycosides;
- phytosterols are natural analogues of hormones.
When used for medicinal purposes, black cohosh:
- has a diuretic effect and helps get rid of edema;
- improves the condition of blood vessels and promotes healthy heart function;
- improves blood composition and reduces glucose levels;
- fights inflammatory and infectious processes in the body;
- helps lower the temperature during colds, has a mild analgesic effect;
- has a sedative effect and is good for nervous disorders;
- stimulates muscle growth, so it may be useful for men and women who are partial to sports;
- equalizes blood pressure and is beneficial for hypertension.
For women, black cohosh is useful because it helps regulate the monthly cycle and reduce pain during childbirth. However, it is not recommended to use the plant during pregnancy - black cohosh increases uterine contractions and can cause miscarriage.
What are the benefits of black cohosh?
The valuable properties of black cohosh are used in folk medicine to treat a wide range of ailments. Dietary supplements, herbal remedies and plant-based home remedies help:
- for gynecological diseases and inflammations;
- for rheumatism, arthrosis, osteochondrosis and other painful processes in the joints;
- for neuralgia, insomnia, anxiety or increased excitability;
- for migraines, hypertension and asthma;
- for diseases of the kidneys and urinary system;
- for heart rhythm disturbances;
- with sluggish digestion and a tendency to frequent constipation;
- in case of metabolic disorders;
- with cataracts, high blood glucose levels and atherosclerosis;
- with loss of strength and vitamin deficiency;
- for bruises and sprains - black cohosh relieves muscle spasms well.
Medicines based on medicinal plants can be used to prevent and treat tumors. Black cohosh promotes the destruction of malignant cells and stimulates natural renewal processes in the body.
The benefits of black cohosh during menopause
Cohosh contains phytoestrogens - substances of plant origin that have an estrogen-like effect. Thanks to this, medicines based on black cohosh have a beneficial effect on the hormonal system of women during menopause. Black cohosh normalizes the exchange of dopamine and serotonin, has a positive effect on ovarian receptors, and prevents the occurrence of hot flashes. At the same time, there is no negative effect on the uterus or mammary glands - the use of black cohosh does not increase the risk of developing malignant processes in a woman’s body.
Another useful property of black cohosh during menopause is its beneficial effect on bone tissue. Glycosides in the plant prevent the formation of osteoclasts and prevent the development of osteoporosis and bone fragility. Cohosh lowers blood pressure, normalizes sleep and evens out mood, significantly improving the well-being of women during menopause.
Use of black cohosh in folk medicine
The beneficial properties of black cohosh are used for a wide range of diseases. Traditional medicine offers many healing recipes based on the perennial plant.
- Cohosh decoction is a good remedy for rheumatism and colds. The rhizomes of the plant must be cut into a volume of 5 g, pour 500 ml of hot water, boil for 5 minutes, and then leave for another 2 hours. The strained decoction is taken three times a day, several sips; the remedy is also beneficial for hypertension and any inflammatory processes in the body.
- For bruises and sprains, fresh cohosh leaves can be applied to the sore area and held for half an hour.A compress made from the leaves of the plant will be beneficial for skin inflammation, scratches and burns - black cohosh will have a healing effect.
- A decoction of black cohosh roots helps with constipation and sluggish digestion. Pour a large spoonful of chopped herbs into a glass of water and boil for 5 minutes, then leave for half an hour and filter. Drink the decoction twice a day, 100 ml.
In case of inflammatory processes in the body, tincture of black cohosh has a beneficial effect. To prepare it, dry plant roots are poured with alcohol or vodka in a ratio of 1 to 5 and put in a dark place for 6 days. The finished tincture is filtered, and then consumed three times a day, 20-30 drops, or rubbed with the medicine on sore joints and made compresses.
Application in homeopathy
The beneficial properties of black cohosh are used not only by traditional medicine, but also by homeopathy. In pharmacies you can purchase many herbal remedies in which black cohosh is the main or auxiliary active ingredient. Among the most famous drugs, several can be listed.
- Klimadinon - a homeopathic remedy that contains only black cohosh. Provides effective assistance during menopause when taken twice a day, 1 tablet. It has a cumulative effect; you need to use the drug for at least 2 weeks, but not more than 3 months.
- Mulimen - a homeopathic preparation based on black cohosh, St. John's wort, nettle, mineral compounds and jasmine.It is beneficial for mastopathy and menopause, and can be used for menstrual irregularities and to relieve unpleasant symptoms of PMS. Take the drug only 20 drops up to 5 times a day.
- Klimaktoplan - a homeopetic remedy that contains not only cohosh, but also sanguinaria, sepia, ignatia and other substances. You need to take the medicine 2 tablets three times a day.
Homeopathic medicines are mainly aimed at improving the condition of menopause, but can also be beneficial for chronic heart and vascular diseases.
Restrictions and contraindications
With all the beneficial properties of black cohosh, this plant must be used very carefully. If black cohosh is intolerant, there are contraindications or an overdose, side effects may occur, such as dizziness and nausea, arrhythmia and stomach pain.
It is not recommended to take cohosh-based products:
- for allergies and severe vascular and heart diseases;
- during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- in the presence of estrogen-dependent formations in the body;
- for acute or severe chronic liver diseases;
- for thromboembolism and internal bleeding;
- with hypotension.
The maximum duration of taking plant-based drugs is six months - after this you need to take a break.
Conclusion
Black cohosh can become a very valuable plant in a summer cottage - it will not only decorate the garden, but also bring considerable health benefits. However, when using black cohosh, you need to use reliable recipes so as not to harm your health.
