BlackCohosh is an herb which acts very similar to the female-produced chemical, estrogen. It is becoming more popular as people are learning more about it. It has an enormous number of medicinal uses and has been used by hundreds of years by Native American Indians.
Medicinal Uses
The medicinal part of Black Cohosh which is used is the root. It is considered an astringent, emmenagogue, expectorant, diuretic, sedative, and an antispasmodic. The roots can be boiled and ingested, this helps to treat fatigue, sore throat, arthritis, and rattlesnake bite. It has estrogenic effects, and has been prescribed to women going through menopause. Black Cohosh may slow prostate gland growth in men, because estrogen is often prescribed. It has a very wide variety of uses, including consumption, chorea, and whooping cough. It is said to calm the nervous system and stimulate the heart and it reduces blood pressure because it is an excellent herb to open restricted blood vessels.
Folk History
Some folk names for Black Cohosh include: Black Snakeroot, Bugbane, Bugwart, and Rattleweed. In the nineteenth century it was widely utilized for the treatment of mentrual cramps. The name Black Cohosh is "rooted" from the Algonquian language: Black= dark roots: Cohosh; Cohosh= rough: referring to the plant's roots. American Indian women used the healing power of the herb for female problems and to aid in childbirth.
Magical Uses
A surprising magical fact about Black Cohosh is that it is considered masculine. This is surprising because the herb is associated so much with the female hormone, estrogen. It's magical powers include love, courage, protection and potency. Men should carry it with them to help with impotency, and anyone can carry it to invoke a feeling of courage.
Harvesting and Growing
Black Cohosh is a perennial and can grow up to 9 feet in height. It is best to collect the foots in fall, and every piece of literature I have read which mentions the harvesting states that it is best to wait until the leaves have fallen and the fruit of the plant has started growing.
Dosage
To have a decoction of Black Cohosh, use 2 tsp. of the dried root in one pint of water. Take 2-3 tablespoons up to 6x's a day. Best to drink cold. If you are interested in the tincture, take between 10-60 drops, or one teaspoon per day. If you are taking the fluid extract, take between 5-30 drops a day.
Warning:
Some reports have stated that large quantities can cause symptoms similar to poisoning. This herb has estrogenic effects, if you have been advised not to take Birth Control pills, be wary of Black Cohosh. Because of its estrogenic effects, it should be avoided by pregnant women. Do not use if you have heart disease.
Source: http://asiarecipe.com/herblist.html#cohosh
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