Cimicifuga Rhizome

升麻 · Shēng Má

Cools hot infections and lifts sunken energy

Properties

CoolingCooling botanicalPungent, Sweet

Concerns

What it does

Cimicifuga rhizome breaks early hot infections like sore throats, mouth sores, and feverish patterns. In TCM, it lifts sunken qi, used for chronic diarrhea, prolapsed organs, and heavy menstrual flooding. This lifting action sets it apart from other heat-clearers. Modern research explores its triterpenes for menopausal symptoms.

How to take it

Drink

Decoct 3–9g of dried cimicifuga rhizome in water for 25 minutes. Drink 1 cup, 1–2x daily during acute infections or as part of long-term tonic formulas.

Try cimicifuga in a Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang formula for chronic fatigue with prolapse

Safety

Generally well tolerated short-term
Skip in cases of fully erupted rashes or upward-rising patterns like hypertension
Skip during pregnancy unless directed by a practitioner
Phytoestrogen content. Caution with hormone-sensitive conditions
Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication

Formulas it's in

Tonify the Middle & Augment Qi

補中益氣湯 · bǔ zhōng yì qì tāng

TCM's foundational formula for low energy that comes from the digestion being run-down for a long time.

Where it comes from

Cimicifuga (Sheng Ma, 'rising hemp') is named for its ability to direct qi upward in TCM. The closely related Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) is the famous Western herb for menopause, and the two share triterpene glycoside chemistry. In TCM, Sheng Ma is used in classical formulas like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for prolapse and chronic fatigue. One systematic review tracks its use for postmenopausal symptoms in modern Chinese medicine.