Tag: uses

Angelica Root: Benefits Uses, Recipes and Precaution

Angelica Root is an herb that grows in Asia, Europe, and North America. The herb grows near running water, along woodland edges. All parts of the angelica plant are useful and edible.

Angelica roots are easy to harvest since they are soft and fleshy. Angelica roots have a slightly sweet, slightly bitter, and earthy flavor. You can compare the root’s flavor to juniper berries. The herb has many uses, from treating heartburn, flatulence, anorexia, arthritis, to insomnia.

Angelica can even act as a pain reliever.

 

Benefits to Using Angelica Root

May Help with Anxiety

Angelica has a warm scent that is relaxing and calming to nerves. In a lab experiment, anxiety levels in mice noticeably lowered when testing the therapeutic effects of angelica. The root also displayed an anti-seizure and anticonvulsant effect.

Further testing is needed to verify the same effects in humans.

Help with Digestive Problems

Angelica root can treat digestive problems like nausea, flatulence, vomiting, and acid flux. It has a soothing effect and displays carminative properties.

Eases Cough and Respiratory Issues

As an expectorant, angelica roots help clear nasal passages by clearing excess phlegm. Clearing excess phlegm provides relief from nasal congestion, coughs, and colds.

Angelica has antimicrobial properties that can also treat sinus infections.

May Help in Treating Psoriasis

The root contains furocoumarins which help treat skin conditions like psoriasis and vitiligo. Some people have used angelica as a balm for soothing skin irritation.

Used for Detoxification.

Angelica root has diuretic properties that help with removing excess fluid and toxins from the body. It also increases the body’s rate of sweating which flushes out even more toxins.

Help with Treating Arthritis

Angelica roots have anti-inflammatory properties which help provide relief from pain. It has displayed properties that can treat joint pain and arthritis.

Help Prevent Cancer 

Angelica root extract has killed an aggressive form of brain cancer in animals and test-tube studies.

While this application is unlikely to work on humans, angelica root can be considered a potential cancer treatment. Further research is necessary before you can use the root as a treatment for cancer. As it stands, the best way to fight cancer is still the doctor-recommended method.

Treating Wounds

Angelica can promote the creation of new blood vessels, which, in turn, promotes healing wounds.

There has been some evidence that it can promote healing to more difficult to heal wounds like diabetic foot wounds.

Help Provide Relief of Menopausal Hot Flashes

Traditional Chinese medicine prescribes angelica root for menopausal symptoms. They also prescribe angelica herb as a treatment for women’s hormonal problems. There is some evidence that angelica herb may increase or maintain serotonin levels in the body. It thereby reduces the severity and frequency of hot flashes.

Help treat Anxiety.

Some animal studies provide compelling evidence that angelica root induces relaxation and causing anxious behavior in animals to reduce.

Different Forms of Angelica Root and their Uses

Angelica root can is available in a few different forms, like:

 Powder Form

Organic Angelica Powder

Angelica Root Essential Oil

You can extract angelica root essential oil from angelica roots through steam distillation. The resulting essential oil has an earthy smell with hints of pepper, unique to the angelica plant.

Angelica root essential oil has many medicinal properties, thanks to the many active compounds it has. You can use the essential oil as an aphrodisiac in many traditional remedies.

The oil has anecdotal evidence showing its effectiveness in improving symptoms of an upset stomach. The angelica oil is part of a blend including peppermint leaf, clown’s mustard plant, caraway, German chamomile, milk thistle, licorice, celandine, and lemon balm.

You can also blend the angelica essential oil with other oils to get different effects. For example:

Warm and Cozy Aromatherapy Diffuser Blend

  • Two drops of grapefruit essential oil
  • Four drops of cypress essential oil
  • Five drops of black pepper essential oil
  • Six drops of angelica essential oil

This blend promotes a sense of calm security through winter.

Fertility Blend

To improve your fertility, blend these ingredients:

  • Seven drops of frankincense essential oil
  • Seven drops of angelica root essential oil
  • Five drops of patchouli essential oil
  • Five drops of ho wood essential oil
  • Four drops of spruce essential oil

Mix the blend with your favorite carrier oil and massage into the soles of your feet. Use for 3-6 months before trying to get pregnant.

Dried Angelic Root

Organic Angelica Root

The root is dried then cut into several large chunks. Dried angelic root confers similar benefits to angelica root. Dried angelica root can be ground into a powder, then placed in pills, or used as-is.

You can take the root powder after it has boiled in water and allowed it to steep for some time, making angelica tea.

You can also use dried root powder in cakes, cookies, liqueurs, and confections.

 

Related articles:

Herbs and Spices for Seasonal Allergy Relief

Annatto: a beneficial seed, Uses, Side Effects, and Precautions

 

Precaution

Many sources emphasize that you should avoid angelica root when pregnant or breastfeeding.

The essential oil form of angelica can irritate the skin. It would be best if you stored it away from direct sunlight as it is phototoxic.

Consult a doctor before using angelic essential oil if you have diabetes or are breastfeeding.

Where to Buy

Online stores sell dried angelica herb from several different vendors. Some come in capsule form.

You can also buy angelica root from   Mountain Rose Herbs through their website. They have a selection of dried angelica and oil extracts.

Conclusion

Angelica root is one of the most versatile supplements available in the market. You can use angelica extract in baking, alcohol flavoring, cooking, making supplemental teas, and as medicine.

It has a long historical record as alternative medicine. Many people use angelica herb to treat many ailments like cancer, an unsettled stomach, and many other conditions.

There is little evidence supporting angelica root as a medicinal supplement for humans. Most studies only show how angelica root affects animals. Some of the results are promising if they can translate to human use.

 

NOTE: Please, seek advice from your health practitioner before adding this herb and spices to your diet. Because some herbs and spices might contraindicate with prescription medication.

 

 

 

Angelica Root Essential Oil: Benefits, Uses blending ideas and Precautions

Organic Angelica Root Essential Oil

Angelica root essential oil has many names, like Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost Root, Oil of Angels, and Archangel Root. The biblical names point to its healing powers, which were considered so great, they could only come from a Divine Source.

Angelica root essential oil was used primarily as a tonic for problems in the digestive and respiratory systems. It also treated heartburn, fever, intestinal gas, insomnia, loss of appetite, circulation problems, and nervousness.

This oil is extracted from the root nodules of the angelica plant.

 

Benefits of Angelica Root Essential Oil

The essential oil has many constituent compounds, which give it many medicinal properties. Many tout its benefits to the lymphatic system and its effectiveness in treating asthma, bronchitis, headaches, and other ailments.

These benefits are that:

It is Depurative.

A depurative is a blood purifying agent. Angelica does this with efficiency, which makes it a diuretic and diaphoretic. These terms mean it promotes urination and sweating.

Angelica helps remove toxins like uric acid, excess salt, fat, bile, and water from the body.

It May Have Anti-Cancer Properties.

Angelica contains a chemical that may have anti-cancer properties. According to some research, these plant extracts have exhibited anti-tumor activity in mice.

It Promotes Urination

Angelica root essential oil increases the rate of urination. It is a diuretic. The essential oil helps remove toxins from the body. It is also an effective remedy treatment for people suffering from chronic renal failure and renal calculi.

It May Help Treat Arthritis

The oil has shown medicinal properties that can treat arthritis and joint pain. Its anti-inflammatory properties give relief to joint pain.

It is Nervine.

A nervine is a tonic that sedates excited nerves. Angelica root essential oil causes the nerves to relax while simultaneously stimulating them, making you more alert and active.

It is a Relaxant.

Angelica causes the body and nerves to relax. It helps get people out of shock, anxiety, anger, hypertension, and even depression.

It is a Stimulant.

Healthy growth is encouraged when angelica root essential oil promotes blood circulation, hormone and enzyme secretion, and other metabolic processes.

It Promotes Stomach Health

Angelica root essential oil promotes the health of your stomach. It will encourage the healing of stomach wounds and ulcers and maintains the proper balance of digestive juices.

It is a Febrifuge.

This essential oil helps the body recover faster from infections and fights fevers. Angelica’s diaphoretic and diuretic properties help by removing waste and toxins from the body.

It May Help Reduce Fatigue

The oil has a woody aroma that many find soothing. This aroma helps relax the body and is known to treat mild insomnia.

Uses of Angelica Root Essential Oil

Angelica root essential oil is a depurative, diuretic, and diaphoretic.  The Angelica essential oil acts as a detoxification agent. It eliminates the impurities from your skin, leaving the skin healthier. The scent also makes the oil attractive to the perfume industry.

The essential oil also soothes your skin when applied. It calms the epidermis while healing it from eczema and breakouts.

In China, Angelica essential oil helps with menstrual and menopause problems. It helps with heart and circulation problems.

Angelica root essential oil blends well with many other essential oils like lemon, grapefruit, patchouli, vetiver, black pepper, cardamom, juniper, lavender tea tree, clary sage, and cedarwood. It has a top to middle note.

For many of these uses, you can use a blend such as:

 

Fertility Blend

For Females looking to get pregnant, mix:

  • Seven drops of frankincense essential oil
  • Seven drops of angelica root essential oil
  • Five drops of patchouli essential oil
  • Five drops of ho wood essential oil
  • Four drops of spruce essential oil

Mix the blend with your favorite carrier oil and massage into the soles of your feet. Use for 3-6 months before trying to get pregnant.

Warm and Cozy Aromatherapy Diffuser Blend

  • Two drops of grapefruit essential oil
  • Four drops of cypress essential oil
  • Five drops of black pepper essential oil
  • Six drops of angelica essential oil

This blend promotes a sense of calm security through winter.

Protect and Defend Aromatherapy Diffuser Blend

  • Four drops of thyme essential oil
  • Five drops of angelica root essential oil
  • Three drops of tea tree essential oil

This blend can protect from colds and the flu.

Ease PMS Symptoms Aromatherapy Diffuser

  • Six drops of angelica essential oil
  • Five drops of clary sage essential oil
  • Three drops of geranium essential oil

This blend should help ease PMS symptoms and stave off cravings if used in the days leading to your period.

 

Related articles:

Essential oils to enhance focus and concentration.

Essential oils that relieve stress

Coriander Essential Oil Benefits & Uses

 

Side effects

Angelica root has some documented side effects when it interacts with other drugs and on its own.

It may cause heart problems and increase blood pressure when taken in high doses.

If Angelica root interacts with blood thinners, there is a chance you may experience dangerous, potentially fatal bleeding. It may also interact with some cholesterol and anti-seizure drugs.

Precautions

  • Do not use angelica root essential oil if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
  • Only use diluted essential oils.
  • Only ingest angelica essential oil when cleared by a healthcare worker.
  • Avoid taking supplements with angelica root if you use heart medication, blood thinners, or have a pre-existing heart condition.
  • Store the oil in a dark, airtight container. Do not leave angelica root essential oil out in the sun as it may cause phototoxic and mutagenic effects.
  • You must test the essential oil before use.

Where to Buy:

You can buy Angelica Essential Oil online as well at any grocery store, or at Mountain Rose Herb

Conclusion

Angelica Root Essential Oil has had a long history of medical use in Europe and East Asia. The Vikings would plant the herb everywhere they settled due to its many medicinal uses. It has historically treated digestive disorders, skin conditions, anxiety, and respiratory disorders.

You should, however, note that all the treatments above are anecdotal. There is no conclusive research showing that you will receive any of the benefits listed.

 

Australian Sandalwood Essential Oil: Benefits, Uses, Blending ideas and Side Effects

Organic Australian Sandalwood Essential Oil   Australian sandalwood essential oil provides the best quality oil in the world. Australian sandalwood Santalum spicatum is a long-lasting woody tree scattered across the arid and semi-arid regions of Western Australia and South Australia. The scent of Australian Sandalwood essential oil is sweet, floral, soft, smooth, creamy, earthy, and of course, woody. It is pleasant for men, women. Mostly, men are most attracted to floral scents, while women are more interested in its woody aroma. Its odor is delightful, but its effects are also beautiful and beneficial. Australian sandalwood essential oil supplies 100% managed and sourced by native Australians. People have been using sandalwood for centuries in religious ceremonies and also for medicinal applications. In ancient times, people used it to soothe burns and to calm nerves. There is some evidence that suggests sandalwood could be precious health-wise. Studies also show that sandalwood can help in increasing alertness, dull worry and heals the wounds faster.

Benefits of Australian Sandalwood Essential Oil:

People have long loved sandalwood essential oil due to its soft, creamy, and woody scent.  This beloved essential oil has uncountable benefits for skin and health. The manufacturer often uses it in aromatherapy and skin care applications. Some benefits of Australian sandalwood essential oil are:

1. For Anxiety:

Sandalwood oil blend with perfumes, diffusers, and massage oils can relieve anxiety and mental stress. It calms the mind and relaxes the body’s tension.

2. Good for glowing skin:

It is best for the skin. It goes deep into the skin and makes your skin glowing, soft, smooth, and radiant.

3. Anti-bacterial:

Australian sandalwood essential oil has anti-bacterial effects especially, in reducing acne-causing bacteria in the skin like a pimple.

4. Antioxidants:

Sandalwood essential has antioxidants that can help fight free radicals that damage skin and cause age-related skin damage.

5. Anti-inflammatory:

The anti-inflammatory properties help in soothing sunburn and treat insect bites also.

6. Skin wounds:

It is also good to treat skin wounds. It helps to speed up skin and muscle repair by inducing contractions in soft tissues. As it works gently so, it is very effective at healing sensitive areas, as it works very gently.

7. For teenagers:

Sandalwood oil is also beneficial for teenager’s red skin problems.

8. Sleep and Meditation:

It also relieves your sleep and promotes healthier sleep and also, aids in meditation.

9. Digestive system:

It also helps in soothing the digestive system, stomach, circulatory and nervous system.

10. Antiseptic:

Sandalwood Essential Oil also works as an antiseptic that can protect the skin from future infection.

Related articles:

Essential oils to enhance focus and concentration. Essential oils that relieve stress Coriander Essential Oil Benefits & Uses  

Uses of Australian Sandalwood Essential Oil

We can use Australian sandalwood essential oil to relieve anxiety, stress and calms the mind. It has vast benefits for the skin; Producers use it in anti-aging skin formation, dry skin solution, and smooth and radiant skin. It also helps teenagers as a solution for red skin problems. You can also use the oil in massaging the body or bath.

Blending ideas:

Sandalwood essential oil can be mix with orange, neroli, or ylang-ylang in a diffuser to uplift and fresh aromatic blends. As sandalwood essential oil has a sweet, soft odor, it can help extend natural perfume blends’ life. It can also be blend with creams, serums, and body butter for good and healthy skin. You can mix Sandalwood essential oil with Argan Carrier Oil or Fractionated Coconut Oil. It can work on dry, dull hair. Put a few drops of sandalwood and, mix it with your preferred carrier oil and massage your head with it.  

What types: base, medium, or top note?

Sandalwood essential oil is always used as a base note because it belongs to a sweet and woody family.

Combination- what oil essential oil can you combine with the recipe:

Sandalwood essential oil can be blend with a variety of oils like clary sage oil, bergamot oil, clove oil, floral essential oil (jasmine, lavender). Because of its sweet nature, sandalwood can also combine with citrus oils like Bergamot or Grapefruit due to its sweet, uplifting spirit. People mix Sandalwood essential oil with warm, spicy oils like Frankincense. Suppose you want to relax and energize all the time. In that case, the combination of Australian sandalwood, lemongrass, and orange make the best recipe. For Summer Lovin, you can mix sandalwood with bergamot.

Side effects of sandalwood essential oil:

Sandalwood oil is considered to be safe when used for aromatherapy or occasional topical use. Hence, it has some side effects also. It causes allergies to some people. If you apply it to your skin with force, then there are chances that you can feel skin irritation, rashes. If you are feeling burning or itching after using it, then contact the doctor instantly. Never take it internally; it can lead to itching, vomiting, blood in urine, kidney damage, and abdominal pain. Don’t use undiluted essential oils. Also, avoid its use in eyes or mucus membranes. In case of burning, contact the doctor. Excessive exposure to sandalwood essential oil can increase blood pressure and affect the heartbeat. Pregnant ladies should avoid using it even, nurses also. It is precautionary to talk to the doctor before applying it to your skin.

Precautions: 

Australian TGA-approved Australian sandalwood essential oil for direct application to the skin. It is nontoxic, non-sensitive. However, the producers highly recommended that you test a small skin area before a broader application. Keep it beyond the reach of your kids. Store away from the direct sun.

Conclusion:

Australian sandalwood essential oil provides the best quality in the world. By using it, you can get many health benefits and also enjoyable fragrances. It is best for glowing and smooth skin. It is the best essential oil for body massage and mind relaxation. For better and improve the chances of getting the real deal, check the label to ensure that they derive the oil from the Santalum family of sandalwood trees. These also include the Santalum album and Santalum spicatum.

Where to buy:

NOTE: Please, seek advice from your health practitioner before adding these herbs and spices to your diet, because some herbs and spices might contraindicate with prescription medication.      

Why should you eat Acai Berries? Ten Remarkable Health Benefits and Uses of Acai Berries

  Acai fruit is a berry native to the Amazon. The berries are dark purple and roughly the size of a blueberry when fully ripe. They have a large seed surrounded by a thin layer of edible pulp. Acai has been used in Brazil for centuries to heal stomach problems and skin ailments. Acerola cherries have 50% more Vitamin C per cup than oranges or lemons. Because of all that vitamin C, their flavor is tart. Because cherries spoil quickly after being picked, they are frequently manufactured into juice, frozen or dry, and ground into a powder (the manufacturer used as an ingredient in vitamin C supplements). The acai berry is a reddish-purple that grows on the acai palm tree. The fruit is about an inch in diameter and is native to Central and South America. The fruit has a large seed that makes up about 80% of the fruit. Acai berries have a high nutritional value. In the Amazon basin, the berry makes up about 25% of the natives’ food intake. Thus, it is a staple food for them.

                                                                                                      Acai Berries

Health benefits

Acai berries have high antioxidant content and provide many health benefits. Acai berries are a superfood that can give skincare, weight loss, and anti-aging benefits. They are:

A Good Source of Fiber

Acai berries have high fiber content, with up to 2 grams per 100 grams of frozen fruit pulp. Fiber is an essential part of dieting as it normalizes bowel movement and helps maintain bowel health. You can also lower your cholesterol levels and control your blood sugar levels. The high fiber content in your diet may also help lower your risk of colorectal cancer and, possibly, prevent colon diseases.

Reducing the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

The berries contain anthocyanins, a form of antioxidant. Antioxidants help eliminate free radicals, which are responsible for many diseases and conditions. Anthocyanins also help regulate LDL cholesterol, which, when balanced with a good diet and exercise, lowers the risk of stroke and heart attacks.

Fighting Free Radicals

Free radicals cause age-related problems like cell deterioration, muscle weakening, and hair loss. Free radicals may also cause some types of cancer like colon and prostate cancer. Acai berries are a source of antioxidants that fight free radicals.

Perfect for Improving and Enhancing Memory

Acai berries have many compounds that help protect your brain from damage. More specifically, antioxidants present in acai berries help counteract damage from inflammation and oxidation in brain cells, which helps improve memory and learning.

Provide Powerful Antioxidant Protection

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals’ damaging effects. Since Acai berries have a high concentration of antioxidants, they protect the body.

Boost Weight Loss

Some animal studies show that acai berries can decrease the total LDL cholesterol level. LDL cholesterol is the “bad” kind that causes weight gain. This reduction in cholesterol levels has links to anthocyanins present in acai berries. The high fiber content in acai seeds also helps reduce appetite and stop hunger pains.

Boost Skin Health

Antioxidants present in acai berry aid in skincare. Acai oil, made from acai berries, is a common ingredient in cosmetic products. The oil helps relieve irritation and redness while moisturizing your skin. In Brazil, people used acai berry pulp as a standard treatment for skin conditions and diseases.

Detoxification

Acai berries can aid the liver in performing its natural functions and activate detoxifying enzymes. As a result, your body floods with antioxidants and fiber. Antioxidants and fiber help by making it easier for the body to eject waste and toxins.

Helps with Cognitive Functioning

Research published in the Nutritional Neuroscience journal links acai berry juice to increased mental functioning in rodents. The study also correlates the berry to improved memory and protecting your brain’s neurological disorders.

Stimulates Healthy Digestion

Natural fiber present in acai berries aid in the digestive process and absorbing nutrients. The fruit improves bowel movements, reducing constipation and other digestive issues.

Forms of Acai Berry 

Uses of Acai Berry 

  1. Acai berries are primarily used in health blends and cleanse juices.
  2. In the pharmaceutical sector, it is produced as a supplement.
  3. As in food manufacturing, it can be used as a food supplement. The berry juice is also used commercially as a beverage and ice cream, jelly, and liqueurs. In addition, manufacturers used acai berry as a natural purple food colorant.
  4. They used it to make aqua or ointment cosmetics in the cosmetic field, which affects firming skin, anti-wrinkle, and treating freckle.

How to use Acai Berry 

Acai berries powder:

  • Take two teaspoons of acai powder to add to your food or drinks.
  • Blend acai berry powder to your favorite fruits and milk for a fantastic juice or smoothie.
  • Mix acai powder in a yogurt parfait or sprinkle it on the top of your morning oatmeal.
  • Add acai powder to oats, cereal, or homemade granola bars.
  • Mix acai powder in your favorite snack or drink.
  • You can add acai berry powder to several things like baked goods, desserts, juices, and protein shakes.

Purees:

Use frozen acai puree to make acai bowls.

Acai Berries Tea: 

  • You will be able to make tea with acai berry powder.
  • First, heat the water and then add a tea bag you like to it.
  • When you see that it has steeped well,
  • Add acai berry powder.
  • Stir well and strain it in a cup.

Juice:

  • If you already have acai juice on hand,
  • think about adding it to lemon water,
  • Add it to a fresh-pressed green juice or iced green tea.

Supplements:

Please follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist, physician, or other healthcare professional before using?

Recipes and Recommendation

Acai berries are nutritious and can be eaten raw. You can also process the fruits into products with a longer shelf life like powder, juice, and a puree. You can also make an acai bowl, a sweet acai puree pudding made by filling a bowl with acai puree and topping it with granola, honey, or muesli. Other recipes for acai berry are:

Acai and Beetroot Latte

You will need:

  • One teaspoon of beetroot powder
  • One teaspoon of acai powder one teaspoon of maple syrup
  • One cup of milk
  • Some boiling water

Place the ingredients in a pan and warm the mixture. Use a blender to mix the ingredients properly. Serve the latte with a dollop of whipped cream.

Tropical Acai Smoothie Bowl

Add:

  • One cup of frozen bananas
  • Half a cup of frozen mango
  • Two tablespoons of acai powder
  • One scoop of berry protein powder
  • 1/3 cup of coconut milk

Blend the mixture, then pour it into a bowl and layer it with your favorite fruits.

Tropical Nice Cream

  • One cup of frozen mango
  • One cup of frozen raspberries
  • One cup of frozen pineapple
  • One scoop of vegan vanilla
  • One teaspoon of acai powder
  • Some a milk

Blend the ingredients and pour the mixture into a bowl. Layer the smoothie with your favorite fruits.

Safety Concerns

Currently, there are no side effects associated with using acai berries. However, there may be undocumented allergies or side effects. Therefore, you should avoid using acai products if pregnant. A breakout of Chagas Disease has been linked to drinking raw acai juice. A parasite spread by Triatominae causes Chagas Disease. The disease may cause infection and inflammation in many body parts. If you have an allergy to pollen, you should get an allergen test before ingesting acai products. Acai berries have a high sugar content and a lot of calories in them. High levels of sugar can negatively affect attempts to lose weight.

Where to Buy

You can get fresh acai berries, acai berry juice, and acai berry powder from many places online. Several buying links are in this article.

Conclusion

Acai berries have a high fiber and antioxidant content. They improve digestion, help fight against harmful organisms, promote a healthy heart, improve brain functions like memory and cognitive functions. You can also get an energy boost and an increased sex drive. Since the berries have so few downsides, you can include them in many lattes, smoothies, and health blends.

Where to buy:

NOTE: Please, seek advice from your health practitioner before adding these herbs and spices to your diet. Because some herbs and spices might contraindicate with prescription medication.      

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Black Cohosh: Top 10 Health Benefits, Uses and Side Effects

The perennial plant belongs to North America. Its scientific name is Actaea racemosa. With many native names like rattle weed, macrotys, snakeroot, black bugbane, bugwort, etc. Roots and rhizomes are a vital part of the plant. People cultivated Black cohosh: in the wild for medical uses. Active ingredients are unknown, yet these are some chemicals find in black cohosh. Triterpene glycosides, (actein, cimicifugoside) resims like cimicifugin, aromatic acid derivates like fucinolic acid, caffeic, isoferulic acid. 

10 Benefits and uses of black cohosh:

For centuries, black cohosh has been used mainly for women. Most of its benefits are related to women’s health and gynecology.

1: Black cohosh as anti-spasmodic:

Beneficial in menstrual cramps. For half century been used as a pain-relieving tonic in Europe for the reproductive health of women. Along with its anti-inflammatory nature, it is an excellent herb for muscle and nerve pain relief.

2: Helpful in hot flashes:

During periods, women experience hot flashes, which is very painful. Cohosh herb helps in dealing with these hot flashes.

3: Use to treat PCOS:

Although there is little evidence, people believe that it helps treat polycystic ovarian syndrome in women. Due to this disease, women fail to conceive. But if you use black cohosh along with Clomid, it helps a lot.

4: Deals with infertility:

Individuals have used Black cohosh to increase fertility and chances of getting pregnant, but there is no solid evidence.

5: Black cohosh as a partus preparator:

Mid-wives have used Black cohosh for assisting during labor and delivery since ancient times.

6: Useful against snake-bites:

The native North Americans have used Black cohosh in severe conditions due to snake bites.

7: Treatment of fibroids:

A study on 244 women having fibroids was done for using black cohosh as treatment. The size of fibroids was decreased by 30% by using 40mg of the herb supplement daily for three months.

8: Treatment of breast cancer:

Many test-tube studies have proved that black cohosh extract helps decrease the spread of cancer cells by showing anti-estrogen activity. 

9: Treatment of other diseases:

In native America, people used black cohosh for centuries for treating fever, cough, and pneumonia. Nowadays, we use it in the treatment of migraines and arthritis. Some evidence also supports its use for treating osteoporosis.

10: Anti-inflammatory action:

Due to the presence of salicylic acid, black cohosh acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. It is a suitable replacement for painkillers like aspirin. As an anti-inflammatory herb, it dilates blood vessels, increases the health of the heart, and helpful in high blood pressure.

Availability in different forms:

Roots and rhizomes are the main beneficial parts of the plant. The market comes in dry herb form, liquid extract, dried extracts in pill form.

Dried powder form:

Roots are dried and milled to get a powder form. You can dry the Roots in 85°F to 95°F. The drug producers packed this powder in the form of capsules. The encapsulated powder can be taken by adding in smoothies.

Tincture form:

Liquid from most delicate roots is extracted and mixed with ethanol. It is more effective in tincture form instead of dry form. According to Richo Chech (an author of books related to herbal medicines), the drying process of roots lost many medicinal properties. They used a Tincture form to make the female reproductive system healthy.

Tea form:

You can use Black cohosh in tea form. It tastes like sour dirt and bitter. Women use it to control their mood swings, anxiety, discomfort, and even skin health.

How to preserve the Black cohosh herb?

You can preserve cohosh herb for more than a year 8f roots are dried properly at 80°F to 95°F. Once dried, you store in burlap bags, polythene sacks, and drums.

Harvesting black cohosh:

A site with rich and well-drained soil is best for its cultivation. It grows in full sun but naturally finds it in shady areas. It can be grown in different ways.

  • A shade-grown or artificial shady place

To provide artificial shade, they use polypropylene cloth. It provides 30 to 85% shade. The structure should be 6 to 7 feet tall with open ends so that the wind can pass.

  • Woods cultivated:

 Raised in woods. If you want to cultivate Cohosh herb in woods, then site having mayapple, trillium, ginseng, bloodroot grows. There are two ways how you can get seeds. One way is to purchase seeds and sow them in the soil, but it may take two years to germinate.  Another way is to get seeds naturally. Harvest the seed in the fall and sow in the ground immediately. It is the easiest method. A sign of seeds being ready is a rattling sound. At this stage, seeds are ready to be taken from dried-up capsules. You can cut roots having buds and place them in seedbeds 1 to 2 inches apart. To increase activity and moist of soil, add bark mulch. These seeds will grow into beautiful plants with inflorescence in late spring and mid-summer.

Availability in the market:

Black cohosh is an important medicinal herb that comes in many brands. It is readily available in tincture form or dried powder form on the market. You can also order from Online stores.

Safety precautions:

Black cohosh is known for affecting the liver. Different countries give different labels on herb products. In America, the association of their herbal products issues warning over pregnant women use. While in Australia, the Department of health allows products to sell if it labels precautions for liver harm. 

Recommendation amount to be taken:

There are different brands and forms of black cohosh in the market. The FDA (federal drug authority) has not regulated it.

  • In tincture form, 0.4- 2mm of dose along with 60% ethanol is enough.
  • In dried form, 40-200mg is suitable for the whole day.
  • Traditionally, higher doses are also used.
  • The prescribed dosage for bone density in postmenopausal women is 40mg daily for three months. 
  • To increase mental health in postmenopausal women, they recommend 128mg for one year.
  • Due to the presence of triterpene glycosides, a 5 to 1mg dose is enough because above this, you will feel pain in the frontal lobes.
  • The dosage recommendation of black cohosh for hot flashes is 20mg a day.

 

Side effects of black cohosh: 

Some of the side effects of the herb are:

  • It is not permissible to take black cohosh if you have any liver problems. Because it causes damage to the liver if taken in a high dose.
  • Pregnant women should prevent its use.
  • Some of the doctors say to avoid using black cohosh as it may thicken uterus wall lining. 
  • The side effect if used in high doses is fever and nausea, lousy stomach, and shortness of breath. 

Alternates of black cohosh:

There are few herbs used as an alternative to cohosh herb like

  • Blue cohosh: It is also a North American flowering plant. It has the same use as black cohosh.
  • Evening primrose oil: it is similar to cohosh herb as it soothes women in menstrual cramps.
  • Rhapontic rhubarb: helps in dealing with signs of menopause.

Conclusion:

Some things are theoretically proven, and some are proven medically by research. In older times, when there was no concept of tablets and supplements, people used herbs to treat illnesses. People used Black cohosh for centuries as a treatment of women-related diseases, especially menstrual cramps. Still, there is little known evidence of its benefits in scientific research. There is a need for more research to understand its activity and chemicals involved in healing.

Where to buy:

NOTE: Please, seek advice from your health practitioner before adding these herbs and spices to your diet because some herbs and spices might contraindicate with prescription medication.