black cohosh

noun

1

: a large perennial herb (Actaea racemosa synonym Cimicifuga racemosa) native to moist woodlands of the eastern U.S. and Canada that has ternately compound leaves and clusters of small white flowers

2

or less commonly black cohosh root : the rhizome and roots of the black cohosh used especially to treat symptoms of menopause

also : a preparation or extract of this root used as an herbal remedy

Examples of black cohosh in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Today, black cohosh is commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 13 Aug. 2024

There have been no relevant drug interactions reported with black cohosh. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 13 Aug. 2024

Researchers are unsure about how exactly black cohosh works in this regard. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 13 Aug. 2024

Those supplements were turmeric, green tea, ashwagandha, G. cambogia, black cohosh and red yeast rice. —New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2024

Similar Supplements Other herbs, supplements, and foods, including black cohosh, red clover, and soy products, may have hormonal effects. —Beth Thomas, Verywell Health, 7 June 2024

These vitamins contain herbal extracts such as black cohosh and red clover, known for their potential benefits in alleviating menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2023

Ease hot flashes with black cohosh... —Lisa Mulcahy, Good Housekeeping, 2 May 2022

Provestra increases both physical arousal and psychological drive due to a blend of natural herbs like black cohosh root and wild yam that stimulate hormone production in a gentle yet effective way. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

black cohosh

noun

1

: a large perennial herb (Cimicifuga racemosa synonym Actaea racemosa) native to moist woodlands of the eastern U.S. and Canada and having racemes of small white flowers

2

also black cohosh root : the rhizome and roots of the black cohosh used especially to treat menopausal symptoms

also : a preparation or extract of this root used as an herbal remedy

… a year-long study involving 351 women published last month in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that 160 milligrams of black cohosh a day was no more effective than a sugar pill.

—Rita Rubin, USA Today

Note: Black cohosh is also called black snakeroot and bugbane.