Tincture of Black Cohash

Black Cohash (cimicifuga Racemosa) habitat ranging from Canada to the Eastern united states is a species in the buttercup family.

This herb is used in traditional Chinese medicine for asthma and rheumatoid arthritis but more commonly in the united states and west it is used by women for menstrual cramps. However in addition it has mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and is used for back pain and to relieve muscle tightness, cramps, spasms, and stress. It also has a mild sedative quality. The medicinal property of this plant comes from its rhizome.

There are several methods, depending on the amount and strength you want to make this tincture or spirit of Black Cohash. However the one listed is the one I am currently using.

• You will need a medium sized jar with a lid or container with a lid, preferably 6-8 oz. would be preferable.
• About 6 Oz. of 80 or 100 proof Vodka (Depending on your potency, I am using 80 proof)
• 1/2 Oz. Black Cohash Root
• Muskin strainer bag or cheese cloth

Take the the half ounce of Black Cohash and place it in the jar or container. Then take your vodka and fill the jar up to the fill line or about a quarter of an inch to the top. Take a spoon, fork, or stirring utensil of some kind and sit it thoroughly. Then replace the lid on your jar or container, tighten firmly, and shake it up for about a minute or two.

Here's the not so fun part. Now you will have to let the mixture sit for six weeks, some people say three weeks, but the potency will be weak. Each day you should give it a shake several times a day.

When the six weeks are over your tincture is ready to be strained. You should take the mixture, strain it into a bowl making sure to squeeze and press the mixture until all you have in the bowl is the tincture liquid. Once you strain and press the tincture you can store it back in the cleaned out jar, and keep a small amount in a amber dropper bottle or whatever you wish.

Standard dosage: 10-40 drops twice daily mix in your favorite tea, or mix with a class of water to drink. For taste add a small amount of stevia or agave sweetener.

Caution: Do not take during first trimester of pregnancy. Do not take the full dosage for more than two weeks at a time. Meaning do not take 40 drops twice a day for more than two weeks straight. I only recommend taking the full dose as needed for pain, spasms, or tension. Then if need be take one dose of 10-15 drops daily.Seek medical advice if taking any kind of supplemental hormone regimens.

I hope you all find this useful, Blessings and be well,

~Ribbit

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It is usually spelled "Cohosh" not "Cohash", otherwise, well written.

It's also good to note that those with liver problems should never take Black Cohosh and those who are taking it should remain watchful of any signs of liver damage including jaundice or dark urine. If this should occur they should stop taking Black Cohosh immediately. Some people may not be aware of a liver condition and it can worsen that condition. Most people who take it have no problems, but the liver situation has caused some countries to put warning labels on Black Cohosh. If you have a healthy liver, you'll have no problem (the problem is knowing if you do or not).

The effects of liver damage and toxicity are at best rumored with no substantiating evidence within the medical and herbal fields. Numerous tests and studies have been done disproving the inaccurate claims of liver damage and toxicity. There have been several cases where the cause of liver damage was due to the misrepresentation and handling of the herb, such as cross contamination with other herbs, or by herbal supplies substituting the herb with common look a likes such as several species of their Asiatic brethren that in fact do not contain the rhizome in Actaea Racemosa or syn. known as Cimicifuga Racemosa, and these Asiatic cousins also contain a hepatoxic quality.

So Black Cohosh alternatively spelled Black Cohash is safe to use provided one not exceed the recommended and standardized dosage instructions that I provided in the original post. Please refer to sources that I have provided for more information or uncertainty and regardless always research an herbal regimen before you consider taking it, and seek medical advice for additional information or concerns taking herbal remedies.

Sources:

• http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/no-liver-toxicity-from-black-cohosh-confirmed-in-new-meta-analysis-130584043.html
• http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/28/us-black-cohosh-idUSTRE70R7IL20110128
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_cohash
• http://news.healingwell.com/index.php?p=news1&id=532685

Blessings and be well,

~Ribbit

In TCM it is considered a toxin remover, and if someone has high toxin levels, especially of certain toxins that don't easily leave the body, they would in fact travel through the blood and the liver would have to deal with them. If the liver were to be overloaded with toxins attempting to leave the body (natural, mineral or chemical) then it could potentially harm it.

I think it is better to be safe rather than sorry when using an herb that has any possible negative effects whether they are unproven or not--the majority of herbal medicine has been neglected by science and most positive effects are unproven, much less the contraindictions. I believe that black cohosh is excellent for female problems, however, as with any medicine, the entire health of the individual should be noted and people who are taking it should remain aware of their own body's reactions, and stop immediately if the reactions could indicate other more serious underlying problems.

Thanks, duly mentioned although, I tried to clarify that. :)

I also wanted to add in addition that the chemical make up of the tincture, using either ethanol or vodka extracts the herbs medicinal properties, and renders most of the other plants properties inert. With that said, with the tincture method using the two listed solvents will, if such hepatoxic qualities were or may be present, essentially negate such properties. I have been studying Naturopathic medicine for quite sometime, and while I agree it's better to be safe than sorry, I have to consider that many people are scared away from alternative healing methods especially herbal, when the slightest mention of possible side affects are brought up. I may end up right a post on the legitimacy and scare of herbal toxicity levels

I agree and I would love to read such a topic.

When considering all of the possible side effects of western medicine (which can even be labeled as such things as erectile disfunction, stroke and death) herbal medicine is far safer in comparison.

Many people fail to realize the power of herbal medicine and the effects on the body and dismiss the idea that they are still medicine, and all medicine should be taken with caution and an understanding of its mechanics. Natural medicine is about creating a balance in the body, and counterbalancing illness and injury, but in doing so, if the herb is self administered half hazardly, the effects could create an imbalance in something else that was not considered. I'm sure you know this, but others reading may not.

I have been studying herbalism for over five years seriously, and my uncle was a nutrition specialist who specialized in natural medicine--the many lectures I have heard from him! =). I do agree that people will shy away from or totally avoid any herbs that has had negative effects (on an insignificant amount of people) no matter how idiotic the studies were. I had a discussion over the wonderful uses of comfrey a few months back here and had to defend it because of the terrible studies done that have discredited the uses of this plant. I won't go into it here and stray off your terrific topic. You can use the search bar and use the keyword "comfrey" if you're interested in the discussion.

It's been a pleasure conversing with you.

Thank you, it was a pleasure.