Medicinal Part: The root. Solvent: Boiling water enhances the properties of the root but dissolves only partially; alcohol dissolves wholly. Bodily Influence: Alterative, Diuretic, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Antispasmodic, Sedative( arterial and nervous), Cardiac stimulant( safer than Digitalis), Emmenagogue.
BLACK COHOSH Cimicifuga racemosa, L.( U. S. Agricultural Department, Appalachia, 1971)
Uses: The American Indian women knew of Black cohosh for relieving pain during menstrual period and used its properties extensively during childbirth.
Dr. Young introduced Cimicifuga racemosa to the medical world in 1831. It was adapted as a cardiac tonic in fatty heart, chorea, acute and chronic bronchitis, rheumatism, neuralgia, hysteria, phthisis, dyspepsia, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea and seminal emission. It is also admirable treatment for scarlet fever, measles and smallpox. Regarded by some physicians as one of the best agents in use for whooping cough.
2 tablespoonfuls of tincture of Black cohosh( Cimicifuga racemosa) 2 tablespoonfuls of tincture of Blood root( Sanguinaria canadensis) 2 tablespoonfuls of tincture of Lobelia( Lobelia Inflata) 2 tablespoonsful of syrup of Squill( Sea onion) Dose: 15 – 30 drops every three or four hours.
The above tinctures have been successfully employed in St. Vitus dance and in asthma, delirium tremens, consumption, acute rheumatism, scrofula and leucorrhoea. Large doses cause vertigo, tremors, reduced pulse, vomiting, prostration. Dose: The tincture should be made from the fresh root, or that which has recently been dried; 2 oz. to ½ pint of alcohol( 96 per cent proof) taken 5 – 15 drops four times a day. As a tea 1 teaspoonful of the cut root to 1 cup of boiling water three times a day, or 15 – 30 drops of the tincture added to 1 cup of water, sweetened with honey. Externally: The bruised root was used by the Indians as an antidote for snake bites, which was applied to the wound, and the juice, in very small amounts, was taken internally. Russian Experience: Cimicifuga Dahurica, not poetic in name, but known by all aborigines of the Far East and Mongolia as Klopogon Daursky or Bug Chaser Daurian. Lately Russians recognize the medical value of native American Black cohosh. Clinically: The extract, tincture, straight or in combination, has of late been discovered and clinically approved for cardial asthma, high blood pressure, anaemia of the intestines, tonic for central nervous system. They vividly advise that even in large doses it does not create intoxication. Folk Medicine: Used as a tea decoction and poultice for high blood pressure, headache, tonic, sedative, hysteria, neuralgia, asthma and migraine, in female disorders, painful menstruation and to