Abstract
Black cohosh, known botanically as Cimicifuga racemosa (also as Actaea racemosa and Actea macrotys), has been used by Native Americans and Europeans for gynecological conditions predating settlement of the New World.1 Black cohosh was first listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia in 1830 under the name “black snakeroot.” Other common names for this plant are black root, bugbane, rattle root, rattle top, rattle squawroot, snakeroot and rattle weed.2 This herb was introduced to the medical community in 1844 when Dr. John King prescribed it for rheumatism and nervous disorders. Eclectic physicians in the United States commonly used this herb in the mid-nineteenth century for chronic ovaritis, endometritis, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, sterility, threatened abortion, uterine subinvolution, severe after-birth pains,3 and to increase breast milk production.1 Most recently, black cohosh has received attention as a therapy for menopausal symptoms.