Which plant's root is used to relieve menopausal symptoms?

The root and rhizome of black cohosh are used to relieve symptoms associated with menopause. Black cohosh is Actaea racemosa, a flowering perennial native to eastern North America. Herbal preparations are made from its underground parts, traditionally described as the root, rhizome, or both, rather than from its flowers or seeds.

Native American traditions used black cohosh for gynecological complaints and other conditions, and the plant entered nineteenth-century American medicine under names such as black snakeroot. Modern products are most often marketed for vasomotor symptoms, particularly hot flashes and night sweats. Some standardized preparations have received authorization as herbal medicines in parts of Europe and elsewhere.

The answer is sometimes confused with dong quai, soy, and red clover, all of which have also been promoted for menopausal concerns. Black cohosh is not the same plant as blue cohosh, despite the similar name. Evidence varies substantially by product and preparation, and dietary supplements are not automatically equivalent to regulated medicines; suspected liver-related adverse effects have also made product quality and medical advice important.