Project Number: 1230-21000-049-04
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 12, 2006
End Date: Sep 30, 2008

Objective:
The long term objective is to develop a strategy for the collection and preservation of medicinal plant species native to Appalachian region of the U.S. The specific objective of this project is to identify potential medicinal or other useful properties of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) and promote conservation of the species.

Approach:
1. Collect black cohosh specimens, examine their biochemical properties, and conduct testing for efficacy. Create a germplasm bank to preserve the collected plants. 2. Hold a workshop to encourage the herbal community to share best collection practices as well as their knowledge of black cohosh habitat and location. 3. Analyze extracts of the plant parts of black cohosh for secondary metabolites that are thought to be of medicinal importance, including, but not limited to triterpene glycosides and isoflavones.