Both the white men and the American Indians - specifically the Winnebagos, Dakotas, and the Penobscots - have regarded Black Cohosh as a treatment, not only for snakebite (hence the name snakeroot), but also for diarrhea, deep chest afflictions, spasmodic cough, and menstrual irregularities (which gave it the name squawroot; although it was also because the squaws were often seen digging the roots). In herbal medicine it is considered to be astringent, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, slightly narcotic, antispasmodic, and an emmenagogue. It was recognized as official in the United States Pharmacopea from 1820 to 1936, and in the National Formular from 1936 to 1950.
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