black cohosh

noun

1
: a large perennial herb (Cimicifuga racemosa synonym Actaea 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 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 Many women ask about phytoestrogens (such as in soy protein or red clover) and other herbs with estrogenic activity (such as black cohosh). Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 11 July 2022 For easing symptoms, Dr. Fromberg recommends black cohosh (a nonestrogenic herb), maca (an Andean root), and vitex (also known as chasteberry). Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2022 Lovers of native flowers may already be familiar with some of the selections, including various trillium species, Virginia bluebell, wild ginger, cardinal flower, lobelia, bloodroot, blue and black cohosh, blazing star and Allegheny spurge. Chris M. Worrell, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2021 There’s also ingredients including black cohosh that help relieve six symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes. Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2020 Yenzirbo used a makeshift metal digger crafted from an old golf club to point out a four-lobed ginseng plant growing on a steep slope among a mosaic of other medicinal plants—black cohosh, goldenseal, nettle. Greg Kahn, National Geographic, 9 Jan. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'black cohosh.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of black cohosh was in 1828

Dictionary Entries Near black cohosh

Cite this Entry

“Black cohosh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20cohosh. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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.

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