Black Cohosh - Non-Timber Forest Products

NatureServe Explorer. 2002. An online encyclopedia of life [Web
application]. Version 1.6. Arlington, VA: NatureServe. http://www.
natureserve.org/explorer. [Date accessed: September 13, 2004].
Summarizes the conservation status of black cohosh. Includes heritage
status, range, habitat, distribution, global trends, threats, economics, and
references. Black cohosh has a secure global heritage status rank, though
increasing commercial demand and a lack of cultivated sources are putting
pressure on wild populations. Permit sales have been increasing for the
National Forests in North Carolina.
Keywords: Conservation, distribution, habitat, market demand, permits,
prices, range.
Newall, C.A.; Anderson, L.A.; Phillipson, J.D., eds. 1996. Cohosh, black.
In: Herbal medicines: a guide for health-care professionals. London:
Pharmaceutical Press: 80-81.
Provides a guide to the use of black cohosh, including information on
chemical constituents, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
listing, medicinal uses, dosages for various preparations, pharmacological
actions proven by clinical research on both animals and humans, side
effects and toxicity, contraindications, and warnings. Chemical constituents
include the alkaloids N–methylcytisine and other unidentified compounds,
unspecified tannins, a mixture of terpenoids including 12–acetylactein
and cimigoside, acetic acid, butyric acid, formic acid, isoferulic acid,
oleic acid, palmitic acid, salicylic acid, racemosin, formononetin,
phytosterols, cimicifugin, the resinous mixture acteina, and volatile oil.
Herbal uses include treatments for myalgia, sciatica, whooping cough,
chorea, tinnitus, dysmenorrhea, uterine colic, muscular rheumatism, and
rheumatoid arthritis. Doses for various preparations are given. Several
clinical studies are summarized, indicating a hypotensive effect in rabbits
and cats, competitive estrogen receptor activity, hypocholesterolaemic
activity, and antibacterial activity toward both gram-positive and gramnegative
organisms. High doses may be toxic, resulting in nausea, vomiting,
dizziness, visual impairments, nervousness, reduced pulse, and increased
perspiration. Black cohosh should not be used during pregnancy.
Keywords: Chemical constituents, contraindications, dosage, medicinal
uses, physiological actions, preparations, research reviews, side effects,
toxicity.
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