Black cohosh
Actaea racemosa L.Ranunculaceae // root · rhizome
Overview
Plant parts
root, rhizome
Known constituents
triterpene glycosides, phenolic acids
Research corpus coverage
Chemistry notes
- CHEMISTRY: Relevant reported constituents include triterpene glycosides; phenolic acids; constituent presence alone does not establish clinical efficacy.
Uses & Evidence
Traditional / historical use
Documented traditional use — not a claim of established efficacy.
TRADITIONAL: Black cohosh has been used for menopausal symptoms; menstrual complaints; this records historical/traditional use and does not establish efficacy.
MODERATE · evidence synthesis/fact sheet · NCCIH Herbs at a Glance
Modern evidence
EVIDENCE: For the major use set (menopausal symptoms; menstrual complaints), the evidence assessment is limited/mixed: Limited/mixed trials and reviews for vasomotor symptoms; product heterogeneity and placebo effects complicate interpretation.
MODERATE · randomized controlled trial · NCCIH Herbs at a Glance
Mixed findings, product heterogeneity, or indirect evidence are preserved in the detailed profile.
Preparation
Forms used traditionally
A listed form does not imply it suits every plant part, or that one preparation is interchangeable with another — see the plant’s own notes below.
PREPARATION: The medicinal material is root; rhizome; traditional and modern forms include decoction, tincture, powder/capsule, standardized extract. No dose or potency is specified.
MODERATE · regulatory monograph · EMA European Union herbal monographs and list entries
Preparation-specific evidence should not be generalized across extracts, teas, oils, or whole herb.
Safety
Additional safety notes (general, unstructured)
Free-text safety notes carried from their source — not broken out by species, route, or hazard type, and not equivalent to the structured records above. Each note names the kind of source it came from.
SAFETY: Major issues include Rare serious liver injury reports; GI upset, rash. Contraindications/cautions include Liver disease; hormone-sensitive conditions require caution.
HIGH · observational/case series and expert review · LiverTox: Herbal and Dietary Supplements
Commercial substitution with Asian Actaea species is a documented identity concern.
SAFETY: Clinically relevant interaction concerns include Possible interactions with hepatotoxic drugs; CYP2D6 effects uncertain.
MODERATE · observational/case series and expert review · LiverTox: Herbal and Dietary Supplements
Some interactions are theoretical or based on case reports/pharmacokinetics rather than outcome trials.
SAFETY: Pregnancy/lactation reference: Avoid in pregnancy; lactation safety is insufficient.
MODERATE · regulatory monograph or evidence synthesis · NCCIH Herbs at a Glance
Absence of evidence is not evidence of safety.
Preparation × species risk matrix
Unknown means insufficient evidence was located — not that a form is safe.
Cats
- tinctureCaution
- concentrated extractUnknown
- essential oilUnknown
- glyceriteUnknown
- infused oilUnknown
- salveUnknown
- smoke/combustionUnknown
- tea/infusionUnknown
- whole herbUnknown
Dogs
- tinctureCaution
- concentrated extractUnknown
- essential oilUnknown
- glyceriteUnknown
- infused oilUnknown
- salveUnknown
- smoke/combustionUnknown
- tea/infusionUnknown
- whole herbUnknown
Identity
- Possible adulterantDahurian bugbane
Asian Actaea material has been found in products sold as North American black cohosh.
Why it matters: Triterpene and phenolic profiles differ, complicating efficacy and adverse-event attribution.
HIGH · Chemical Authentication of Botanical Ingredients: A Review of Commercial Herbal Products
- Possible adulterantChinese bugbane
Asian Actaea material has been found in products sold as North American black cohosh.
Why it matters: Chemistry differs from Actaea racemosa; identity errors confound safety assessment.
HIGH · Chemical Authentication of Botanical Ingredients: A Review of Commercial Herbal Products
- Possible adulterantYunnan bugbane
Asian Actaea material has been found in products sold as North American black cohosh.
Why it matters: Chemistry differs from Actaea racemosa; identity errors confound safety assessment.
HIGH · Chemical Authentication of Botanical Ingredients: A Review of Commercial Herbal Products
- Synonym
GBIF resolves Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt. as a synonym of Actaea racemosa. The older name still appears in herbal and taxonomic literature.
HIGH · GBIF Species Match API
Botanical synonym
Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt.
Taxonomic identity note
- Black cohosh is treated here as Actaea racemosa L. in the family Ranunculaceae; recorded older names include Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt..
Sources
Research records are source-linked but may not yet be editorially reviewed.
- NCCIH Herbs at a Glance3 claims
NCCIH fact sheet
peer-reviewed authentication review
NIH LiverTox monograph
- Plants of the World Online1 claim
botanical taxonomy database
EMA monograph
WHO monograph
- GBIF Species Match API1 claim
authoritative taxonomic database