Good day! The plant we have in the spotlight today is: Black Cohosh, also known as black snakeroot.
The Latin name of this plant is Actaea Racemosa, formerly known as Cimicifuga Racemosa.
The rhizomes and roots of this plant are where its medicinal properties are concentrated. Black cohosh is known as an antispasmodic and emmenagogue, which means that it helps to relax muscles and regulate the menstrual cycle. This makes it a prime tonic for women for any uterine condition that involves inflammation, pain, or low estrogen. It’s commonly used to relieve cramps and muscle tension.
It’s often recommended to women before or during menopause to help balance hormones and bring relief to common menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. The roots of black cohosh also contain salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin!
Have a magical day,
Jenny
PLANT INGESTION WARNING!
As with all herbs and plants you plan to ingest, never ingest them before doing your own research and/or talking with your doctor - it’s possible that medications you take or health conditions you have could have a negative effect if paired with black cohosh. Better safe than sorry!
Photo credit goes to H. Zell