Witnessed by: TCM
Cimicifuga (Cimicifuga foetida), of the Ranunculaceae family. Tall perennial herb of cool mountain forest; native range: mountain woodlands of western and southwestern China. Globally recognized as sheng ma (升麻) in Chinese, and black cohosh (Chinese), bugbane in English. The part used is rhizome. Knotty blackened rhizome with an acrid, faintly fetid character and a slightly sweet aftertaste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
CIMICIFUGA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- cimicifuga
- Scientific name
- Cimicifuga foetida L.
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Form
- Part used
- rhizome
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- pungent · sweet
Temperature
- TCM
- cool (slightly cold)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Lung · Spleen · Stomach · Large Intestine
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- releases the exterior and vents rashes, clears heat and resolves fire toxicity, raises the yang qi and lifts sinking
Cautions
- Contraindications
- contraindicated in fully erupted measles, in Lung deficiency with wheezing, and in yin deficiency with rising fire
- Toxicity
- overdose may cause nausea, headache and tremor
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