Herb Profile
Black Cohosh Actaea Racemosa
Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is most studied for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, with proposed serotonergic and estrogen receptor modulating activity rather than classical hormonal action.
Last reviewed: •3 human studies cited
B ModerateUse extra caution — Generally well tolerated; rare suspected hepatotoxicity reports; clinical trials have not consistently shown liver injury Details
- Evidence
- Moderate Human Evidence
- Typical onset
- Varies by prep
- Safety rating
- High caution
- Best for
- Anti Inflammatory, Hormonal, Inflammatory signaling
- Avoid / review if
- Liver Disease, Pregnancy, Hepatotoxic Drugs (Caution)
Monograph visual
Black Cohosh Actaea Racemosa
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Safety & Cautions
Generally well tolerated; rare suspected hepatotoxicity reports; clinical trials have not consistently shown liver injury
28%
High caution — review carefully
Detailed safety fields
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications
- - Liver Disease
- - Pregnancy
- - Hepatotoxic Drugs (Caution)
Safety classifications
- - Liver-Sensitive: Liver-related caution language appears in the profile.
- - Hormonal Activity Context: Hormone-adjacent wording is present and should be interpreted carefully.
Full safety note
- - Generally well tolerated; rare suspected hepatotoxicity reports; clinical trials have not consistently shown liver injury
Safety labels
- - Liver-Sensitive
- - Hormonal Activity Context
Evidence Summary
Evidence lens
Useful signal, but study design, dose, and population still matter.
ModerateModerate Human Evidence
Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Inflammatory Signaling Modulation · Hormonal Signaling Context · NF KB Modulation
Research maturity: Preliminary or mixed — Long Term Human Evidence May Be Limited.
Safety boundary: Safety note available — Generally well tolerated; rare suspected hepatotoxicity reports; clinical trials have not consistently shown liver injury
This profile cites 3 human studies.
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
A
Strong
Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
B
Moderate
Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
C
Preliminary / Mixed
Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
D
Traditional / Theoretical
Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (3)Cited studies informing this profile. RCTs and reviews shown first.
| Study | Type | Sample | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Black Cohosh: Health Professional Fact Sheet NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (2020) | — | — | Source → |
LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury (2024) | — | — | Source → |
Black cohosh extracts in women with menopausal symptoms Meherishi S et al. (2023) | — | — | PubMed → |
Dosing & Timing
Dose guidance
Standardized extract (e.g., 2.5% triterpene glycosides): 20 80 mg/day; variability across products
How Black Cohosh Actaea Racemosa Works
Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.
Mechanism Pathway — How Black Cohosh Actaea Racemosa Works
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & Biological Pathways
Preclinical pathways
Proposed mechanisms from in vitro and animal research; these do not confirm clinical outcomes in humans.
Inflammatory Signaling ModulationHormonal Signaling ContextNF KB Modulation
Active Compounds
Key constituents studied in Black Cohosh Actaea Racemosa, with full pharmacology and safety profiles.
Condition guides
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Review available sources for Black Cohosh Actaea Racemosa
Independent database mapping — evaluated separately from safety and efficacy scores.
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Affiliate-ready sourcing
Black Cohosh product picks
Affiliate recommendations for Black Cohosh Actaea Racemosa. Review safety, dose, and product quality before buying.
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Product Form & Quality Guidelines
When sourcing Black Cohosh Actaea Racemosa, verify the label for:
- Standardized Extract: Confirm active content percentages on the supplement facts panel (e.g. standardized to specific marker compounds) rather than simple raw herb weights.
- Third-Party Testing: Look for independent purity labels (USP, NSF, ConsumerLab, or Eurofins) to ensure the product is free from heavy metals, solvents, and contaminants.
- Form Bioavailability: Ensure the form matches evidence-supported configurations (e.g. standardized active extracts like bacosides, withanolides, or curcuminoids) for optimal onset and digestion tolerance.
Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
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Botanical profile context
How to interpret Black Cohosh Actaea Racemosa
Black Cohosh dosage ranges, effects, drug interactions, and harm-reduction safety guide for anti inflammatory. Moderate Human Evidence research evidence. Use this herb profile as a starting point for evidence review, not as a recommendation to start a new supplement. Botanical products can vary by plant part, extract ratio, standardization, dose, and contaminant testing, so two labels with the same common name may not behave the same way.
When reviewing Black Cohosh Actaea Racemosa, compare the traditional-use context against the human evidence, mechanism notes, and safety cautions. Pay special attention to pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver or kidney disease, blood-pressure effects, sedation, stimulation, anticoagulant use, antidepressants, and any prescription medication overlap.
For product decisions, prefer transparent labels, named extracts, clear serving sizes, and third-party quality testing. Avoid treating a long list of possible mechanisms as proof that an herb will solve a specific condition.