ABSTRACT
The drug was introduced into medicine by the American Indians, who valued it highly. They boiled the root in water and drank the resulting beverage for a variety of conditions ranging from rheumatism, diseases of women, and debility to sore throat.1 It was subsequently used, especially by eclectic physicians, for all these conditions but particularly for so-called uterine difficulties to stimulate the menstrual flow. Black cohosh was one of the principal ingredients in Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. Herbalists recommend it for all of the aforementioned ailments and also as an astringent, diuretic, alterative, antidiarrheal, cough suppressant, diaphoretic, and other uses.2
