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Cape Cod Recipes
Old & New Home Remedies Natural Herbal Apothecary BLACK COHOSH(cimicifuga racemosa)Other Names: Squaw root, Black snake root, Rattle weed This herb contains estrogen so it is especially
useful for menopause
and menstral discomfort.It has also been used for epilepsy, rheumatism,
arthritus, asthma and high blood pressure.
 American
Indian groups of eastern North America were using the root of black
cohosh to treat female conditions and for rheumatism, long before
Europeans landed on American shores. The Delaware, moved to the Indian
Territories of modern Oklahoma a century ago, used black cohosh in
combination with other herbs as a female tonic. The Iroquois of New
York used a strong tea of the root as a foot bath, soaking the feet
while bathing sore, stiff areas of the body to treat rheumatism. The
Cherokee are said to have used the roots to treat rheumatism and
various female conditions. They also valued it as a tonic and diuretic.
Early medical authors note that use of the plant was learned from
native Americans.
 Black cohosh will become of increasing interest to women looking for an alternative to estrogen therapy in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Not only is it widely used in Europe, black cohosh and related species have a long history of use in both Asia and North America. Among women's herbs, black cohosh is the most important rising star. Folklore: Black cohosh root was used by Native Americans to treat snake bite and as a ceremonial herb to bring visions. The root was thought by some early American settlers to be the main ingredient in witches brew and any female caught with it in her possession was burned as a witch.
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