Latin Other names: Cimicifuga racemosa, Actea racemosa, Black snakeroot, rattle root, bugwort, rattleweed, rattletop.
==Special Precautions of Black Cohosh==
*The safety of black cohosh in pregnant or breastfeeding women or children hasn't been established. Black cohosh is sometimes used by nurse-midwives to induce labor, but it should never be used by a pregnant woman without supervision by a qualified healthcare provider because it could stimulate uterine contractions and result in miscarriage.*People with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as cancer of the breast, prostate, ovaries or uterus, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, should avoid black cohosh until more is known about how it works and whether it has a hormonal effect.<br>*Side effects of black cohosh may include:
People with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as cancer of the breast, prostate, ovaries or uterus, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, should avoid black cohosh until more is known about how it works and whether it has a hormonal effect. Side effects of black cohosh may include: **Indigestion**Headache**Nausea**Perspiration**Vomiting**Heaviness in the legs**Weight gain**Low blood pressure**Excessive doses of black cohosh may cause seizures, visual disturbances and slow or irregular heartbeat. There have been a number of cases of liver damage suspected to be associated with black cohosh use. In most of the cases, there were other medical problems present and other medications used that may have contributed to the liver damage. Also, the quality and purity of the black cohosh products used isn't known. Some black cohosh products, for instance, have been found to contain a Chinese cimicifuga (Cimicifuga foetida) instead of black cohosh.**Still, in August 2006, Health Canada advised consumers of the possible link between black cohosh and liver damage. In June 2007, the United States Pharmacopeia proposed that black cohosh product labels contain a cautionary statement. The American Botanical Council has countered that there is insufficient evidence to warrant the proposed caution.
*Black cohosh should not be confused with the herb blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), white cohosh, bugbane, Cimicifuga foetida, sheng ma or white baneberry. These species have different effects, and blue cohosh and white cohosh, in particular, can be toxic. There is a case report of neurological complications in a post-term baby after labor induction with a herbal blend of black cohosh and blue cohosh.
*People with allergies to plants in the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family should avoid black cohosh.