Nutri Herb

Herb Library:  Black Cohosh

Botanical Names

cimicifuga racemosa, actaea racemosa

Common Names

black snakeroot, rattleroot, squaw root, bugbane, bugwort, rattlesnake root, rattleweed, fairy candle, macrotys

Plant Description

Black Cohosh is a perennial shrub-like plant native to the eastern forests of North America and is part of the buttercup family. It grows up to 8 feet high and has tall stalks of fluffy, white flowers. Cohosh is an Algonquin Indian word meaning "rough," referring to its gnarly, black root.

Parts of Black Cohosh Used in Dietary Supplements

The dried root and rhizome of the Black Cohosh plant are ground up into a powder and are commonly used in herbal supplements.