From the moment we envisioned the establishment of the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program more than two years ago, black cohosh was included on the list of herbs for which we had a confirmed basis for adulteration. Two published analytical papers by ABC Advisory Board member Professor Ed Kennelly at Lehman College at the City University of New York and his colleagues detected chemical marker compounds characteristic of several widely suspected adulterant species from China, i.e,. other species in the genus Actaea. The American Herbal Products Association also has included black cohosh in its list of “Known Adulterants.”

In this issue, we present author and botanical photographer Steven Foster’s extensive review of the confusing nomenclature associated with the genus Actaea (syn. Cimicifuga), of which Actaea racemosa (syn. Cimicifuga racemosa) — known most commonly as black cohosh in North American and many English-speaking countries) — is the only species that is legally permitted to be sold as “black cohosh” in the United States.

Black cohosh is used primarily to help middle-aged and older women manage symptoms associated with menopause. In the United States and elsewhere, black cohosh dietary supplements are self-selected by many women for such use, which is supported by a variety of published clinical trials. Also, in what appears to be increasing frequency, black cohosh preparations are being recommended by a growing body of licensed healthcare practitioners.

Consumers and practitioners need to be certain that the “black cohosh” root material (or its extract) in the capsules or tablets in their bottles of dietary supplements really are what the labels purport them to be. While there are numerous responsible companies that produce high-quality, properly authenticated black cohosh products, there are some companies whose quality control programs are apparently inadequate, hence the detection of adulterants in some commercial products. It is past time for all members of the herb and dietary supplement industry in the United States, and the botanical products industry around the world, to institute and adhere to appropriate quality control measures related to properly identifying and authenticating black cohosh products, as well as all herbal products.

With increased awareness of these problems associated with accidental and intentional adulteration of black cohosh, the old excuse used by some manufacturers — “We didn’t know to test for an adulterant in black cohosh” — and related excuses won’t fly anymore. It’s time to stop the errors caused by inadequate identity testing and the possible intentional substitution of cheaper Chinese materials in order to ensure that consumers get what they want and what they think they’re buying.

This article is the latest in a series that ABC is publishing as part of the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program, in which ABC is partnering with our good friends at the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi. Previous articles in this series include Foster’s excellent historical review of botanical adulteration (HerbalGram 92), his article on adulteration of skullcap with germander (HerbalGram 93), John Cardellina’s review of analyses showing that many materials labeled “grapefruit seed extract” are adulterated with synthetic industrial disinfectants (HerbalGram 94), and Foster’s article on the adulteration of bilberry extract with various synthetic and natural materials (HerbalGram 96).

To date, the Botanical Adulterants Program is endorsed by more than 100 members of the international herb industry, third-party analytical laboratories, professional and trade organizations, media members, accredited schools of natural medicine, and many more.

Also, of course, as is customary with articles in our adulterants series, this article has been peer reviewed extensively and carefully for accuracy by numerous highly qualified experts in the fields of botany and taxonomy, chemistry and analytics, and the industrial trade of authentic North American black cohosh raw materials.