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Dahurian black cohosh belongs to medicinal plants known since ancient times, but the study of its beneficial 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 tends to drive away bedbugs. Even in the scientific name – Daurian cimcifuga – this property is officially fixed: in Latin, cimex means “bug”, and fugare – “drive”. There are contraindications in the use of a plant with health benefits, so its handling and use must be carried out in compliance with all safety rules.
Description of Dahurian black cohosh
Tsimtsifuga is a perennial plant from the Ranunculaceae family, found in Asia and North America.
The area of distribution of Dahurian black cohosh in the Federation is Transbaikalia, Khabarovsk Territory, the coast of the Sea of Japan. He likes valleys, meadows, clearings with dry soil, he is found among shrubs, often used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Culture can grow in one place up to 25 years, it is tenacious, unpretentious and winter-hardy.
Plant height – up to 2 m.
The photo of the Dahurian black cohosh shows that its rhizome is thick, powerful, branched, strongly fibrous, many-headed. The growths are large, firmly interconnected, 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 flowers of greenish, white, pink color. They have about 8 sepals, 5 petals and a large number of stamens. Daurian black cohosh flowers bloom gradually, from the bottom up, the sepals fall off and the inflorescence acquires a very attractive appearance. 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 Dahurian black cohosh are large, reach a length of 70 cm, dissected, pinnate. Their color can vary 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 not at all.
The most common are several types of plants – Dahurian black cohosh, racemose and simple.
The chemical composition of Daurian black cohosh
Despite the long history of the Dahurian black cohosh, its properties have not been studied enough. The composition of the rhizomes of the plant includes many useful components:
- Tannin. Tannin, 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 contractions of the heart decreases;
- Salicylic acid. Reduces inflammation, thins the blood. It is also known to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack;
- Phytosterin. The vegetable 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 hesperidic, methoxycinnamic acids were found in the roots of Daurian black cohosh.
The plant contains trace elements valuable for human life:
- selenium – a powerful antioxidant, 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 the nervous system.
What is useful Daurian black cohosh
For medicinal purposes, Daurian black cohosh rhizomes are used, which are dug up 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 that have a positive effect on the body:
- gradually, steadily decrease in blood pressure to normal;
- sleep is restored;
- headaches disappear;
- the amplitude of contractions of the heart increases;
- secretory activity of the digestive organs increases;
- sweating increases;
- increased contraction of the uterus during childbirth;
- asthenia is eliminated.
Preparations made on the basis of Daurian black cohosh help in the treatment of a number of diseases:
- bronchial asthma;
- neuralgia;
- hypertension at an early stage;
- dysmenorrhea;
- cardiac asthma.
They are used as emergency aid for snake bites, venereal diseases are treated.
Dahurian black cohosh root powder is able to relieve toothache, heal the rash that appears with measles, and also restores the mucous membrane in the oral cavity with ulceration, relieves symptoms of fever.
The Daurian 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 the rhizomes is prescribed for prolapse of the uterus and rectum.
The use of Dahurian black cohosh in folk medicine
The raw material of Daurian cimicifuga tastes 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 Daurian black cohosh rhizomes;
- 1 glass of alcohol (70%).
Method of preparation:
- Place the rhizomes of the plant in a glass container.
- Fill with alcohol solution (70%).
- Keep in a dark cool 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 benefits of Daurian black cohosh tincture in the treatment of hypertension, cardiac asthma are noted. The course is from one to one and a half months. Need a consultation with a doctor.
To prepare a 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 evenly dissolved.
It is recommended to use Daurian black cohosh syrup for neuralgia, hypertension, inflammation in the oral cavity, as an antidote after poisoning with scopoli grass. In these cases, take 0,5 teaspoon of the remedy 5 times a day. Before using drugs from the plant, you should consult with your doctor.
To relieve pain in the joints and muscles, apply a bandage soaked in a decoction of Daurian black cohosh. Its preparation consists in boiling the dry root in a small amount of water over low heat for an hour. The compress is applied for 20 minutes.
Infusion of Daurian cimicifuga helps with gastritis and enterocolitis. Its recipe is simple:
- Pour 5 g of grass with a glass of water.
- Boil for 5 minutes.
- Insist during the day.
- Strain.
The use of Dahurian black cohosh in all forms is carried out only after consulting a doctor.
Contraindications to admission
Research by specialists and the history of the use of Dahurian black cohosh 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 needed if the Dahurian black cohosh plant is used together with drugs to reduce pressure, thin the blood, as it will enhance their effect.
Reception along with hormonal drugs requires medical advice.
It is important to remember that the maximum single dose of Dahurian black cohosh powder is from 40 to 200 mg, per day – no more than 1 g.
Among the side effects of the use of cimicifuga, it is worth noting:
- headache;
- rare heart rate;
- constipation;
- dizziness;
- increased sweating;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- deterioration of vision.
Conclusion
Dahurian black cohosh, for all its benefits, has a not very romantic name. But it has wonderful healing properties that have been used for many centuries and are still used today. It is important to follow the rules and dosage of the plant, taking into account contraindications and possible side effects. And you can use the German name: because of the beauty of the inflorescences, the Dahurian black cohosh is called the “silver candle” in Germany.
