cohosh

Thân thiện

A gardener carefully identifies a cohosh plant in the woodland garden.

Definition

Noun: 1. A perennial herb of the genus Actaea: A type of flowering plant belonging to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. 2. Characterized by toxic properties: Known for its acrid (bitter and sharp-tasting) and poisonous berries, which are typically small, shiny, and dark-colored (black or red).

Examples

• Noun:
  • Several species of cohosh, like black cohosh and blue cohosh, have been used in traditional medicine.
  • The cohosh plant produces clusters of white flowers in the spring.
  • It is important to remember that the berries of the cohosh are poisonous and should not be ingested.

Advanced Usage

• The term "cohosh" is often used in compound names that specify a particular species, which have distinct traditional uses. These compounds are listed separately below.
• In botanical and herbal contexts, "cohosh" specifically refers to plants within the or genera known for their medicinal roots and rhizomes, despite the toxicity of their berries.

Variants and Related Words

• Black cohosh ( or ): A species whose root is commonly used in herbal supplements, primarily for women's health.
• Blue cohosh (): A different genus of plant, also used in traditional medicine, known for its blue-colored berries.
• White cohosh / Red cohosh: Common names sometimes used for other species, referring to the color of their berries.

Synonyms

• Baneberry: This is the more common general name for plants in the genus , directly referencing the poisonous nature of their berries.
• Bugbane: A name sometimes used for black cohosh ().

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning of "cohosh" is botanical, referring to a group of plants with specific toxic characteristics.
• In modern usage, the word is rarely used alone. It is almost always encountered as part of a compound name (e.g., "black cohosh"), where it denotes a specific herb with a history of medicinal use. The compound term refers to the useful root, while the simple term "cohosh" reminds of the plant's overall poisonous nature, especially its berries.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a plant of the genus Actaea having acrid poisonous berries

Từ đồng nghĩa

• baneberry
• herb Christopher