Chinese black cohosh (sheng ma)

Actaea cimicifuga (syn. Cimicifuga foetida)

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat, helps rashes come out and lifts the energy in prolapse.

Safety notes

Not with fully erupted measles, yin deficiency or excess above with deficiency below. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Preparation

Rhizome. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that open the surface'. Sheng ma 'lifts the yang' and is used for prolapses and for rashes that fail to come out, such as measles; it is part of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Japanese: Hochuekkito). It is related to American black cohosh.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Chinese materia medica

Nature and taste: sweet, pungent, slightly bitter, cool
Meridians: lung, spleen, stomach, large intestine

Attributed effects

Expels wind-heat in headache and sore throat, helps measles come out, cools 'toxin' in the blood in painful gums and gastritis and, together with qi tonics, lifts the energy in prolapse of the uterus or rectum and shortness of breath from deficiency.

Preparation and amount

Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction. Related to, but used differently from, American black cohosh.

Combinations

With chai hu, dang shen and huang qi in bu zhong yi qi tang for prolapse
With burdock seed, woad leaf and mint for sore throat with fever

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction
Formulas: Bu zhong yi qi tang Ji chuan jian Qing wei san Zi xue dan

Sources

All herbs from Asia →