Actaea cimicifuga. Cimicifuga foetida, C. heracleifolia, C. dahurica 升 麻 Shēng má   Skunk bugbane, Chinese black cohosh  
This herb is very similar to Black cohosh used in Western herbs.
Family: Ranunculaceae  
PART USED: Rhizome- Harvesting in Autumn.
Nature: Cool    FLAVOR: Sweet, bitter, acrid  CHANNEL: Lung, Spleen, Stomach
FUNCTIONS- Serves to guide other herbs upwards.[4]
GROUP: Exterior clearing- Cooling
1. Clears the Exterior,[4] dispersing Wind and Heat. Clear fevers and detoxifies.[1,3,4] Speed up measles eruptions-[3] used as assistant herb for treating Lung.[3]
2. Strengthens middle Qi.[3] Purifies system and lifts the Yang.[1] Raises Yang, lifts Spleen Qi sinking (stronger than Pueraria- Ge Gen) - for middle Qi deficiency leading to shortness of breath, fatigue. Prolapse of stomach, uterus, or rectum.[3]
ACTIONS: Antipyretic, antitoxic, analgesic.[3]
INDICATIONS
1. Headache due to Wind Heat[4,5] or early stage of measles.[1,4,5] Rashes, smallpox, erysipelas, canker sores.[1] Blotches from warm-febrile diseases.[4]
2. Fire toxin in the upper or superficial aspects of the body: sore teeth, swelling and pain of gums, ulcerated lips or gums, canker sores, painful and swollen throat, sores.[4] Gingivitis.[5]
3. Raises the Yang and lifts the sunken:[4] for middle Qi deficiency leading to symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue and prolapse of anus and uterus.[1,2,3,4,5] Falling of stomach. Chronic diarrhea.[5]
4. Chronic benzene poisoning and decrease in platelet count.
5. Metrorrhagia.[1]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Yin deficiency with empty Fire.[3,4] Not for high temperature as ascends- lifting upwards Yang Energy.[3] Overuse can cause vomiting or dizziness because of ascending action.[3]
Patterns where the upper is excessive and the lower is deficient.[4] Fully reupted measles, and in patients with breathing difficulty.[4]
Black cohosh is a very widely used herb, however it has been rarely associated with causing a liver reaction in some individuals; the injury is generally unpredictable and may be reversible. Symptoms of liver disease can include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes), dark urine, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, unusual tiredness, appetite loss, fever, bloated abdomen or abdominal pain. If these symptoms occur, stop consuming and contact physician.
PATENT COMBINATIONS
- Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency and collapse of middle Heater Qi: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi and lifts up the sinking Yang Qi of the middle Heater Ginseng & Astragalus- Bu zhong yi qi wan.
- Qi stagnation and retention of Dampness in the Stomach and Intestines: Regulate the Liver and Stomach, disperses Qi stagnation and Damp retention Saussurea Combination- Mu xiang shun qi wan.
- External Wind Cold or invasion of Damp Heat with Lung Qi deficiency: Releases exterior Wind Cold, unblocks the nasal passages, alleviates sinus pain. Clears Damp Heat in the Lung Magnolia Flower Combination- Xin yi san
COMBINATIONS PREPARATIONS: Decoction. Dried rhizome  2-5 g.[1,2] 1-9 g.[3,4] Use honey-roasted version for collapsed conditions.[4] Good quality is large with a black cortex, and no thin rootlets.

DESCRIPTION: Depending on the species the cross section of the root is either white or light green for C. foetida, light-green C. dahurica, or grey- C. heracleifolia.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents