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Black cohosh is a medicinal plant known since ancient times, but the study of its useful properties is still ongoing. The North American Indians used the herb to treat many diseases, and the plant got its not very sonorous name because of the unpleasant smell of the leaves, which has the ability to drive away bed bugs. Even in the scientific name - Dahurian tsimtsifuga - this property is officially fixed: translated from Latin, cimex means "bug", and fugare means "to drive." There are contraindications in the use of a plant with health benefits, therefore, its handling and use must be carried out in compliance with all safety rules.
Description of the Daurian black cohosh
Tsimtsifuga is a perennial plant from the Buttercup family found in Asia and North America.
The distribution area of black cohosh in the Russian Federation is Transbaikalia, Khabarovsk Territory, the coast of the Sea of Japan. He likes valleys, meadows, glades with dry soil, he is found among shrubs, is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
The culture can grow in one place for up to 25 years, it is tenacious, unpretentious and winter-hardy.
Plant height - up to 2 m.
The photo of the black cohosh dahurian shows that its rhizome is thick, powerful, branched, strongly fibrous, multi-headed. The increments are large, tightly connected to each other, and die off for a long time. The color of the roots is very dark, almost black.
On strong, tall, rounded stems of the plant there are about 10 narrow racemose inflorescences with numerous small greenish, white, pink flowers. They have about 8 sepals, 5 petals and a large number of stamens. Black cohosh flowers bloom gradually, from bottom to top, sepals fall off and the inflorescence takes on a very attractive appearance. The flowering of the plant begins in July-August, lasts about a month. As a result, small scaly seeds are formed. Around the seed is a flat, fringed wing.
The leaves of the black cohosh Daurian are large, reaching a length of 70 cm, dissected, pinnately complex. Their color can range from light green to brown. Yellowed in autumn, the foliage does not lose its attractiveness. On the stems of the plant, the lower leaves are on long petioles, with pointed lobes, the upper ones are small or none at all.
The most common are several plant species - black cohosh, dahurian, racemose and simple.
The chemical composition of the Daurian black cohosh
Despite the long history of the Daurian black cohosh, its properties have been insufficiently studied. The rhizomes of the plant include many useful components:
- Tannin... Tanning agent, which has antibacterial, astringent, hemostatic properties, is able to bind toxins and poisonous salts of heavy metals;
- Glycosides... Thanks to them, the force of cardiac output increases, the frequency of heart contractions decreases;
- Salicylic acid... Reduces inflammation, thins the blood. Its effect on reducing the risks of stroke and heart attack is also known;
- Phytosterol... The plant equivalent of cholesterol has a structure similar to it. Phytosterol is found in cell membranes and is responsible for maintaining the state of the cell. The substance helps to reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol.
Alkaloids, resinous compounds, as well as hesperidinic and methoxycinnamic acids were found in the roots of black cohosh.
The plant contains trace elements that are valuable for human life:
- selenium - a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from free radicals;
- iron - takes part in providing oxygen to organs and their systems;
- calcium - the strength of the skeletal system, nervous excitability and muscle contractility depend on it;
- magnesium - participates in the formation of new cells, brain function, strengthening of the nervous system.
Why is the Daurian black cohosh useful?
For medicinal purposes, the rhizomes of black cohosh are used, which are dug out in late August and early September, washed, cut into pieces, dried and dried. From the raw materials of the plant, infusions and tinctures are prepared, which have a positive effect on the body:
- gradually, steadily decrease in blood pressure indicators to normal;
- sleep is restored;
- headaches disappear;
- the amplitude of heart contractions increases;
- the secretory activity of the digestive organs increases;
- sweating increases;
- the contraction of the uterus increases during childbirth;
- asthenia is eliminated.
Preparations made on the basis of black cohosh dahurian help in the treatment of a number of diseases:
- bronchial asthma;
- neuralgia;
- early stage hypertension;
- dysmenorrhea;
- cardiac asthma.
They are used as an emergency treatment for a snakebite, and are used to treat venereal diseases.
Powder from the roots of black cohosh dahurian can relieve toothache, heal the rash that appears with measles, and also restores the mucous membrane in the oral cavity with ulceration, relieves the symptoms of fever.
Black cohosh contains substances that can stimulate the formation of estrogens. For this reason, drugs based on it are used in gynecology. It is possible to use the plant for irregular and painful periods, to correct the process and improve the condition of the female body. Powder from rhizomes is prescribed for prolapse of the uterus and rectum.
The use of Daurian black cohosh in folk medicine
The raw materials of Daurian cimicifuga taste very bitter, therefore, in folk medicine, the use of tea from the plant is not practiced. Tinctures, decoctions, infusions, syrups are prepared from black cohosh.
To prepare the tincture, you will need:
- 1 tablespoon of black cohosh rhizomes;
- 1 glass of alcohol (70%).
Cooking method:
- Place the rhizomes of the plant in a glass container.
- Fill with alcohol solution (70%).
- Keep in a cool, dark place for a week, shake occasionally.
Reception is carried out with water, 30 drops, three times a day - as a sedative for neuralgia, hysteria, insomnia, rheumatism. The use of black cohosh tincture in the treatment of hypertension, cardiac asthma is noted. The course is from one to one and a half months. Need a consultation with a doctor.
To prepare syrup from the roots of a plant, you must:
- Pour 50 g of black cohosh powder in 0.5 liters of boiling water.
- Boil the composition over low heat for 2 hours, stirring constantly.
- Strain.
- For every 100 ml of liquid, add 100 g of sugar.
- Cook until completely and evenly dissolved.
It is recommended to use black cohosh syrup Daurian for neuralgia, hypertension, inflammation in the oral cavity, as an antidote after poisoning with scopolia grass. In these cases, take 0.5 teaspoon of the product 5 times a day. Before using preparations from the plant, you need to consult with your doctor.
To relieve pain in joints and muscles, apply a bandage soaked in a decoction of black cohosh. Its preparation consists in boiling dry root over low heat in a little water for an hour. The compress is applied for 20 minutes.
Infusion of Dahurian cimicifuga helps with gastritis and enterocolitis. The recipe for its preparation is simple:
- Pour 5 g of herbs with a glass of water.
- Boil for 5 minutes.
- Insist for a day.
- Strain.
The use of black cohosh daurian in all forms is carried out only after consultation with a doctor.
Contraindications for admission
Research by specialists and the history of the use of black cohosh daurian show that the plant is not toxic, regardless of the duration of its use. Use is limited only by individual intolerance and contraindications. The use of cimicifuga is not recommended:
- during pregnancy and lactation;
- under the age of three;
- patients with an allergic reaction to aspirin;
- with strokes, thrombosis, convulsions.
Caution is necessary if the black cohosh plant is used together with drugs to reduce blood pressure, thinning the blood, since it will enhance their effect.
Admission together with hormonal drugs requires medical advice.
It is important to remember that the maximum single dose of black cohosh powder is from 40 to 200 mg, per day - no more than 1 g.
Among the side effects of using cimicifuga, it is worth noting:
- headache;
- infrequent heart rate;
- constipation;
- dizziness;
- increased sweating;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- deterioration of vision.
Conclusion
Black cohosh Daurian, for all its usefulness, has a not very romantic name. But it has remarkable medicinal properties that have been used for centuries and are still in use today. It is important to adhere to the rules and dosage of the plant, taking into account contraindications and possible side effects. And the name can be used in German: because of the beauty of the inflorescences, black cohosh Daurian in Germany is called the "silver candle".
