Black Cohosh (actaea racemosa, baneberry, black snakeroot, bugbane, bugwort, cimicifuga racemosa, macrotys, rattle root, rattlesnake root, rattletop, rattleweed, rheumatism weed, squawroot)
Classes: Women's Health, Herbals
Suggested dosing of actaea racemosa, baneberry (black cohosh)
Dried root: 300-2000 mg PO TId
Extract: 0.3-2 mL PO daily; 1:1, 90% alcohoL
Tincture: 2-4 mL PO daily; 1:10, 60% alcohoL
Tablet: 20-80 mg PO BID; standardized to 1 mg triterpene glycosides/20 mg tablet
Suggested uses of actaea racemosa, baneberry (black cohosh)
Cough/sore throat, dysmenorrhea, dyspepsia, labor induction, menopausal symptoms, nervous tension, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatism
Efficacy
Likely effective for menopausal vasomotor symptoms
Possibly effective for PMS/dysmenorrhea
actaea racemosa, baneberry (black cohosh) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Cramping
Dizziness
GI upset
Headache
Sweating
Weight gain
Rash
Overdose: Bradycardia
CNS disturbances
Nausea/vomiting
Visual disturbances
Warnings
Contraindications
Breast cancer, endometrial cancer, endometriosis, hormone sensitive conditions, ovarian cancer, pregnancy, lactation, uterine fibroids
Cautions
May be associated with liver damage
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: unsafe
Lactation: unsafe
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of actaea racemosa, baneberry (black cohosh)
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of action
May act by blocking serotonin reuptake
