cimicifuga foetida

**Cimicifuga foetida** is a perennial herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where its rhizome, known as Sheng Ma or Cimicifugae Rhizoma, is pungent, slightly sweet, and cold, entering the lung, spleen, stomach, and large intestine meridians. It effuses the external to outthrust rashes, clears heat and detoxifies, and invigorates Yang, treating wind-heat headache, toothache, aphtha, sore throat, uterine prolapse, anal prolapse, early-stage measles, chills, fever, and diarrhea due to Spleen Qi deficiency. Phytochemically, it contains over 348 compounds, primarily 9,19-cycloartane triterpenoid saponins (e.g., foetidinol-type), phenylpropanoids (e.g., ferulic acid), chromones (e.g., cimifugin), alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-osteoporosis, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. Modern studies support its efficacy in menopausal symptoms, with extracts shown safe and effective in clinical trials, though large doses may cause nausea, dizziness, or miscarriage risk; pregnant/lactating women should avoid it.[1][2][3][5]

Other names

sheng macimicifugae rhizoma