Why is black cohosh useful for human health?

In this article we will introduce you to such a plant as black cohosh, and its useful properties.

Klopogon (also known as tsimitsifuga, klopovnik, Adam's rib) is a perennial plant belonging to the buttercup family. It contains nearly 20 different species, which are especially appreciated for their healing properties. This plant has a bitter taste and a rather unpleasant aroma. The root is short and thick, the stem reaches 1.5 m in length and has a straight, unbranched shape. The length of the leaves in black cohosh varies from 12 to 40 cm, and the width is directly proportional to the length. Flowering lasts from July to September. In nature, black cohope grows in the forests of North America and Asia.

Chemical composition

The chemical composition of zimitifuga is poorly understood. Today it is known that the upper part of the plant contains flavonoids, alkaloids, as well as vitamin C.The root has a richer composition: sugar, starch, carotene, calcium, magnesium, tannins, salicylic, methoxycinnamic, isofirilic acid, phenol, phytoestrogen, tannin, selenium and iron.

What is beneficial to human health: medicinal properties

Klopogon has wide application in medicine. It is often used to treat "female" diseases, is used for rheumatism, pain in the joints and muscles, bronchial diseases and sinusitis. In addition, it improves metabolism, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. It is used as a sedative for nerves, hysteria, migraine, and also improves sleep. The presence of saponin in this plant allows you to use it as an antidote to the bites of poisonous snakes and spiders. Klopogon is also used as a wound healing agent, a drug for echinococcosis of the liver, anthrax and diphtheria. The use of tsimitsifuga spread to cosmetology. This herb has an anti-inflammatory effect, thanks to which it is added to preparations for oily and acne-prone skin.And funds containing black cohosh have a relaxing and analgesic effect.

Harvesting and storage of medical raw materials from black cohosh

Klopogona is prepared from the end of August and all September, when the fruits of the plant have ripened. The main raw material are its roots, the stem is cut at the very base. Dug out the root shake off the ground and washed with water, then it is crushed and dried. Drying should be at a temperature of up to 60 ° C in a dryer or oven, and stored in a place with very low humidity. The leaves themselves and the stem have no special significance, they are used in the ground form, because only the juice that they contain has value. If you squeeze the juice, the cake is thrown. Flowers, from a medical point of view, are useless.

Use in traditional medicine: recipes

Tsimitsifuga has many medicinal properties, due to which it is widely used in traditional medicine in the form of decoctions and alcohol tinctures:

• Tincture to improve digestion, treatment of bronchial asthma, migraines, rheumatism is prepared as follows: dried root is poured with 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1: 5, infused for 5 or 6 days in a dark place, and then filtered. This infusion of black cohosh should be taken 30 drops two or three times a day.
• To reduce pain in the muscles and joints apply a compress of broth, which is prepared from dried root, boil in a small amount of water for half an hour.
• Pounded fresh leaves and stem are used to treat skin diseases, arthritis and rheumatism by applying compresses for half an hour.
• For the treatment of measles and other rashes on the skin, toothache, toxicosis, gynecological diseases, use a decoction that is prepared as follows: Pour 1.5 g of dry roots with a glass of water and boil for about 5 minutes, then stand for a couple of hours. Drink the broth should be half a glass no more than four times a day.
• With gastritis and other gastroenterological diseases, a decoction is used,prepared from the leaves and the stem: take 5 g of chopped herb into a glass of water, boil for about 5 minutes and leave for an hour. It is necessary to drink this broth twice a day on 100 g, previously having filtered.

Contraindications and side effect

Despite the fact that zimitsifuga has many positive properties, it also has contraindications. The plant is forbidden to use:

• throughout pregnancy and lactation;
• those who are allergic to aspirin and buttercups;
• people who survived a stroke.

Care should be taken klopohon with drugs that thin the blood and lower blood pressure - it enhances their effect. Also drugs from zimitifugi interact with hormonal drugs, so before using them simultaneously, you should consult with your doctor. Side effects that may occur:

• slow heartbeat;
• dizziness and headache;
• increased sweating;
• blurred vision;
• nausea and vomiting;
• possible osteoporosis.

If at least one of these symptoms appears without delay seek medical attention.And in conclusion, we note: if you yourself decided that you want to take black cohosh or drugs with its extract, still do not be lazy and consult with a specialist so that the treatment of one disease does not provoke another.