A plant record

Black cohosh (Akté nwa)

Actaea racemosa

EnglishBlack cohosh

KreyòlAkté nwa

FrançaisActée à grappes noires

BotanicalActaea racemosa

Black cohosh (Akté nwa) — Actaea racemosa, used in Haitian and Caribbean herbal tradition

Traditionally used

Menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, mood disturbances). Premenstrual syndrome. Dysmenorrhea.

Prepared as

Rhizome, root

Chemistry

Not fully elucidated. Contains triterpene glycosides (actein, cimicifugoside). Possible selective serotonin receptor modulation. Some GABA-ergic effects. Not clearly estrogenic.

In three languages

Kreyòl — Senptòm menapòz (chalè, swè lannuit). Sendwòm premenstriyèl. Règ doulourèz. Akté nwa kòn nan diaspora ayisyen pou simptòm menapoz tankou bòfe chalè ak swè lannwit. Rasin nan ekstè standardize disponib nan farmasi diaspora.

Français — Symptômes de la ménopause (bouffées de chaleur, sueurs nocturnes, troubles de l'humeur). Syndrome prémenstruel. Dysménorrhée. La cohosh noire est connue dans la diaspora haïtienne pour les symptômes de la ménopause comme les bouffées de chaleur; racine en extrait standardisé disponible dans les pharmacies de la diaspora.

Safety

Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.

Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.

Kept alongside

Jequirity (rosary pea)PineapplePeacock flowerCalotropePapayaRingworm senna

More on Haitian plant medicine