Black cohosh
Black cohosh is the root and rhizome of Actaea racemosa (formerly Cimicifuga racemosa), a woodland perennial of eastern North America. Most supply is wild-harvested in Appalachia, with some cultivation. It is sold as dried root powder and as dry hydroalcoholic or isopropanol extracts standardized to triterpene glycosides, commonly expressed as 27-deoxyactein.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Dry extract sold on triterpene glycosides (often 2.5%) by HPLC, using ethanol or isopropanol.
Dried, milled root and rhizome; not standardized.
Tincture or fluid extract sold on a herb-to-solvent ratio.
Root from known plots rather than wild collection, which eases species confirmation and traceability.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Keep root and extract sealed, cool, dry and away from light. The extract is hygroscopic, so reseal after use. Shelf life or retest date comes from the supplier.
Species substitution is the main lot risk, so confirm identity on each lot rather than relying on the supplier name. Record origin (wild or cultivated) and supplier lot.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's natural health product monograph for black cohosh lists the dried rhizome, root, or root and rhizome of Actaea racemosa as source material.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 310.545(a)(24) lists Cimicifuga racemosa among ingredients of OTC orally administered menstrual drug products for which there are inadequate data to establish general recognition of safety and effectiveness.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · San Jose, CA
Draco Natural Products is a San Jose, California, maker of powdered botanical and mushroom extracts, including certified organic and traditional Chinese herb extracts, with an office in Shanghai.
Manufacturer · Mollet del Vallès, Spain
Euromed is a Spanish producer of standardized botanical extracts for pharmaceutical, supplement, food and cosmetic companies, with plants near Barcelona and in Murcia. It is part of the Dermapharm Group.
Distributor · Norway, IA
Frontier Co-op is a member-owned cooperative in Norway, Iowa, that sources and sells bulk herbs, spices, teas and botanicals by the pound, with a separate wholesale site for business buyers.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include standardized extract, root powder, liquid extract and cultivated or forest-grown root. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect identity and species (HPTLC or HPLC fingerprint), triterpene glycosides (HPLC), heavy metals, microbiology and residual solvents, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Keep root and extract sealed, cool, dry and away from light. The extract is hygroscopic, so reseal after use. Shelf life or retest date comes from the supplier.
Health Canada's natural health product monograph for black cohosh lists the dried rhizome, root, or root and rhizome of Actaea racemosa as source material. 21 CFR 310.545(a)(24) lists Cimicifuga racemosa among ingredients of OTC orally administered menstrual drug products for which there are inadequate data to establish general recognition of safety and effectiveness.
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