The genus name of the black cohosh plant, Cimicifuga, derives from the Latin words cimex (bedbug) and fugare (to repel). This name arises from the strong and unpleasant smell that the leaves and flowers of certain species in this genus have. Another common name for black cohosh is bugbane, indicating its historical use as an insect repellent, often placed within pillows or mattresses.[1][2]
The term "cohosh" originates from an Algonquian term meaning "rough." This refers to the plant’s robust, knotted, and dark rhizomes.[2]