Black Cohosh has been used as an herbal remedy in North American Indian medicine for hundreds years for treating a variety of illness. It is more commonly known for it's benefits on female health issues including, pms, cramps, hormonal imbalances, and menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and depression. It also has a balancing effect on hormone production, particularly estrogen. Black Cohosh has also been used as a natural remedy for helping to relieve symptoms of malaise, gynecological disorders, kidney disorders, malaria, rheumatism, sore throat, colds, cough, constipation, hives, backaches and to induce lactation.
In 19th-century America, Black Cohosh was a home remedy used for rheumatism and fever, as a diuretic, and to bring on menstruation. It was extremely popular among a group of alternative practitioners who called black cohosh "macrotys" and prescribed it for rheumatism, lung conditions, neurological conditions, and conditions that affected women's reproductive organs including menstrual problems, inflammation of the uterus or ovaries, infertility, threatened miscarriage, and relief of labor pains.