Black Cohosh
(Cimicifuga racemosa)
bugbane, rattle root, black snake root, squaw root

Description: A perennial shrub, 9 feet or more. The creeping, underground stem is gnarled and twisted, topped with a slender spike of small white or yellowish flowers in feathery racemes 1-3 feet long, slender and drooping. Leaves vary from ternate, then pinnate, at times even further divided. Found in eastern, southern part of U.S. in rich open woods.

Medicinal: It is a antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, hormonal, and sedative. The rhizomes and roots were used by Native Americans to ease childbirth and as an antidote for rattlesnake bite. The Colonists used it for yellow fever, bronchitis, coughs, asthma, itching, nervous diseases, uterine disorders, diarrhea, menstrual cramp, rheumatism, childbirth, headaches, coughs and asthma. Take 2-3 tablespoons of the decoction, cold, 6 times a day, or 10-60 drops of the tincture.
CAUTION: Large doses can cause symptoms of poisoning, nausea and vomiting.