Cimicifuga foetida
Cimicifuga foetida
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Pl. 66B6 — Cimicifuga foetida
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IOverview
Overview
Cimicifuga foetida, also known as black cohosh, is a perennial herb native to the northern regions of China and Siberia, including areas such as Altay, Buryatiya, and Irkutsk. This plant thrives in moist, light soil conditions and can tolerate partial sun or shade. It grows up to 1.5 meters tall and is known for its edible leaves, which are often used in traditional cuisine. The plant's native range extends into Kazakhstan and parts of Mongolia, where it naturally occurs. Its distinctive feature lies in its strong, sometimes unpleasant odor, which contributes to its alternative name "stinking willow."
Quick answers
What is Cimicifuga foetida?
Cimicifuga foetida, also known as black cohosh, is a perennial herb native to the northern regions of China and Siberia, including areas such as Altay, Buryatiya, and Irkutsk. This plant thrives in moist, light soil conditions and can tolerate partial sun or shade.
What is Cimicifuga foetida used for?
Traditionally used for mood support, immune support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Cimicifuga foetida
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Cimicifuga foetida appears in herbal sources around emotional well-being traditions, often as a decoction. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Cimicifuga foetida is traditionally used to support immune function, particularly in Asian herbal medicine. It may be prepared as a decoction or tea for this purpose.
The mechanism by which Cimicifuga foetida supports the immune system is not fully characterised but may involve compounds that modulate inflammatory responses.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Cimicifuga foetida support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Cimicifuga foetida thrives in partial sun to shade and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 3-7 and grows as a perennial, reaching heights of 1.5 meters. For best results, keep the soil consistently moist and provide ample space for this forb/herb to flourish. Propagate through division in early spring or by seed sowing in late winter/early spring. The edible parts are its leaves, which can be harvested throughout the growing season.
Light
Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-7
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
1.5 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Cimicifuga foetida for the first time
7steps
Start with Cimicifuga foetida as a simple, low-maintenance perennial for your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
A young plant or seeds, a trowel, and some compost.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring or late fall when the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is well-draining with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, and prepare containers with light to medium soil.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants in early spring or sow seeds indoors about 8 weeks before the last frost.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy, and place in a partially shaded area.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide partial sun to shade, water when the top inch of soil dries out, and mulch around the base for moisture retention.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead foliage in early spring to encourage new growth and maintain a neat appearance.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Cimicifuga foetida are edible and can be used fresh or dried. They are typically prepared by chopping and adding to salads for a mild flavor. SKIP
Other uses:Fragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
15 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
15 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 15 native
Europe1 region
native (1)Russia
Asia4 regions
native (4)ChinaKazakhstanMongoliaSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Altay, Buryatiya, Chita, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Tuva, Yakutskiya
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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