College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)

This classic female tonic is a tried and true remedy for difficult menopause, PMS, and painful periods. This tincture should be in every woman's medicine cabinet.

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, or Cimicifuga racemosa) is the classic anti-estrogenic female tonic. Traditionally used for many types of difficult menopause, PMS, and painful periods. This tincture should be in every woman's medicine cabinet.

Black cohosh was used to give relief from menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes/flushes, irritability, unstable mood, insomnia, and night sweats. As a helpful herb for PMS, black cohosh treats cramping, acne, and initiates regular cycles. It has also been used to initiate labor in pregnant women.

This anti-inflammatory herb soothes painful effects of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and neuralgia. It regulates hormones by stimulating the opiate system.

While Black Cohosh is most potent for the female reproductive system, it has added benefits such as calming anxiety, rheumatic pain, fever, sore throat, and cough.
Ayurveda Black Cohosh Whole Plant Large

Ayurveda Black Cohosh Flower Large

Ayurveda Black Cohosh Leaf Large

Suggested Use

1 dropper full 2x/day or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for tinctures?

Metabolic Nature of Black Cohosh

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

SALTY

ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SALTY

SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry metabolic nature. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Inward

INWARD

Inward moving substances promote introspection, self reflection, stillness, or slow the system down.

SEE ALL 'INWARD' FOODS / HERBS

Blood Plasma Lymph

BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH

Plasma (Rasa Dhatu) includes plasma, white blood cells, and lymph.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH' FOODS / HERBS

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Bone

BONE

Bone tissue (Asthi Dhatu) includes the bones, hair, and nails.

SEE ALL 'BONE' FOODS / HERBS

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Red Blood

RED-BLOOD

Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels.

SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS

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Reproductive

REPRODUCTIVE

Reproductive tissue (Shukra/Artava Dhatu) includes male and female reproductive organs.

SEE ALL 'REPRODUCTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Black Cohosh
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS

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Analgesic

STRONG ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Antidepressant

ANTIDEPRESSANT

Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.

SEE ALL 'ANTIDEPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Anxiolytic

ANXIOLYTIC

Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.

SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Dopaminergic

DOPAMINERGIC

Dopamine lifts mood, but also reduces prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and lutenizing hormone (LH).

SEE ALL 'DOPAMINERGIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

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Sedative

SEDATIVE

Sedative herbs create a sense of calm in the mind and body by specifically calming or quieting the nervous system. Excellent for anxiety, stress and chronic pain.

SEE ALL 'SEDATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Serotonergic

SEROTONERGIC

The feel-good hormone. Also includes serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).

SEE ALL 'SEROTONERGIC' FOODS / HERBS

Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.

SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Antipruritic

ANTIPRURITIC

Antipruritics are herbs that inhibit itching, often associated with skin conditions such as sunburns, allergic reactions, eczema, psoriasis, chickenpox, fungal infections, insect bites, or contact dermatitis (as in poison ivy rashes).

SEE ALL 'ANTIPRURITIC' FOODS / HERBS

Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.

SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

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Anticarcinogenic

ANTICARCINOGENIC

Herbs that inhibit or prevent the activity of a carcinogen or the development of cancer.

SEE ALL 'ANTICARCINOGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antifungal

ANTIFUNGAL

Herbs that destroy fungus.

SEE ALL 'ANTIFUNGAL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antimicrobial

ANTIMICROBIAL

An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.

SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

Hypotensive

HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'HYPOTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Uterine Tonic

STRONG UTERINE-TONIC

An herb that tonifies and strengthens the uterus. Helpful for menstrual difficulties and fertility. Often herbs that increase ojas, but also circulation to reproductive system.

SEE ALL 'UTERINE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Anti Estrogenic

ANTI-ESTROGENIC

Reduces estrogen, which reduces thickness of the uterus endometrium, pelvic congestive disorders like fibroids, and frequently dysmenorrhea as well.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Estrogenic

ESTROGENIC

Increases estrogen, helpful in menopause. Estrogen is anabolic and increases muscle growth, bone density, and moisture.

SEE ALL 'ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Partus Preparator

PARTUS-PREPARATOR

Prepares the uterus for labor & delivery, making contractions more effective. May also relax the mother, reduce pain, improve breast milk, stimulate contractions (oxytocin), build yang, and nourish blood.

SEE ALL 'PARTUS-PREPARATOR' FOODS / HERBS

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Progesteronic

PROGESTERONIC

Progeserone is the pregnancy hormone. It raises body temperature (Pitta), and suppresses menstruation. It is generally more extroverted.

SEE ALL 'PROGESTERONIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Promotes Fertility

PROMOTES-FERTILITY

An herb that promotes fertility. Generally used by women who wish to become pregnant. These herbs may also help with menstrual problems of deficiency, such as amenorrhea (lack of a period).

SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-FERTILITY' FOODS / HERBS

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Relaxant Parturient

RELAXANT-PARTURIENT

Used when labor is stalled due to irregular, colicky or spasmodic contractions (hypertonic). Ensures full dilation of cervix.

SEE ALL 'RELAXANT-PARTURIENT' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antispasmodic

STRONG ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, hear palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Black Cohosh

  • Rosemary

    Rosemary has these Actions in Common

    Anticarcinogenic, Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic, Antidepressant, Antispasmodic, Muscle-relaxant, Analgesic, Antifungal, Bronchodilator, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Mint

    Mint has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Antispasmodic, Dopaminergic, Antifungal, Anxiolytic, Nervine, Analgesic, Antipruritic, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Lavender

    Lavender has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Analgesic, Anxiolytic, Relaxant-parturient, Antifungal, Muscle-relaxant, Sedative, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE

  • Rose Petals

    Rose Petals has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Progesteronic, Anti-inflammatory, Estrogenic, Promotes-fertility, Antidepressant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Uterine-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Chamomile

    Chamomile has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Analgesic, Anxiolytic, Nervine, Anti-inflammatory, Diaphoretic, Sedative

    LEARN MORE

  • Cloves

    Cloves has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Antifungal, Anxiolytic, Nervine, Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric

    Turmeric has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Antifungal, Antispasmodic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Serotonergic, Anticarcinogenic, Antipruritic

    LEARN MORE

  • Nigella (black cumin)

    Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Nervine, Anti-inflammatory, Diaphoretic, Anticarcinogenic, Hypotensive

    LEARN MORE

  • Poppy Seed

    Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Analgesic, Anxiolytic, Sedative, Antipruritic, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Sorghum Flour

    Sorghum Flour has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Hypotensive, Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Anti-inflammatory, Bronchodilator, Sedative

    LEARN MORE

  • Basil

    Basil has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Anti-inflammatory, Anxiolytic, Nervine, Antidepressant, Bronchodilator

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Black Cohosh

  • Motherwort

    Motherwort has these Actions in Common

    Hypotensive, Analgesic, Muscle-relaxant, Anti-inflammatory, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Antidepressant, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Relaxant-parturient, Anxiolytic, Diaphoretic, Dopaminergic, Estrogenic

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Progesteronic, Anticarcinogenic, Sedative, Antidepressant, Tonic, Antispasmodic, Uterine-tonic, Anxiolytic, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Analgesic, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Antifungal, Nervine, Antimicrobial, Sedative, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Anti-inflammatory, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Cramp Bark

    Cramp Bark has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Analgesic, Partus-preparator, Anti-inflammatory, Relaxant-parturient, Antispasmodic, Uterine-tonic, Anxiolytic, Estrogenic, Hypotensive

    LEARN MORE

  • Chastetree Berry

    Chastetree Berry has these Actions in Common

    Progesteronic, Analgesic, Promotes-fertility, Anti-estrogenic, Serotonergic, Antispasmodic, Uterine-tonic, Dopaminergic, Estrogenic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • St. John's Wort

    St. John's Wort has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Tonic, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Dopaminergic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Analgesic, Nervine, Anti-inflammatory, Serotonergic

    LEARN MORE

  • Gokshura

    Gokshura has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Sedative, Antipruritic, Tonic, Antispasmodic, Uterine-tonic, Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Promotes-fertility

    LEARN MORE

  • Eleuthero Ginseng

    Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Anticarcinogenic, Tonic, Antidepressant, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Analgesic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

    LEARN MORE

  • Skullcap

    Skullcap has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Analgesic, Sedative, Antidepressant, Tonic, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Hypotensive

    LEARN MORE

  • Lemon Balm

    Lemon Balm has these Actions in Common

    Dopaminergic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Analgesic, Relaxant-parturient, Antidepressant, Sedative, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Black Cohosh may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Black Cohosh may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Black Cohosh. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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