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Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/28/2022 - 14:37
Top Product Attributes

  • Common Name

    Blue Cohosh

  • Botanical Name

    Caulophyllum thalictroides

  • Part Used

    Root

  • Alcohol

    70%

  • Dose

    10 to 20mL weekly

Blue cohosh is an important remedy for female complaints. Historically it was used to prepare the uterus for labour (partus preparator), for period pain and for various ‘inflammations’ of the uterus. 

Main Product Attributes
A guide to Blue Cohosh and its properties

  • Traditional Use

    Blue cohosh was a favourite remedy amongst Native American women in childbirth for false pains and after pains. They drank the tea regularly a few weeks, before the birth was due, as a partus preparator to ease and speed labour. 

  • Actions

    Partus preparator, uterine and ovarian tonic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic (uterus), emmenagogue, laxative

  • Indications

    •    Dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, endometriosis
    •    Rheumatic pains

  • Energetics

    Hot

  • Use in Pregnancy

    Never use in early pregnancy. The most conservative route is to avoid its use entirely as a partus preparator, for labour induction and possibly at all during pregnancy, until safety information is established. There are recommendations in the literature that blue cohosh should be avoided in pregnancy, due to safety concerns, even though the reports are inconclusive. In a 1998 study it was linked to two cases of neonatal heart failure when the herb was consumed as a parturient to facilitate labour. In one case the mother took three times the amount of blue cohosh (tablet form) however the exact amount taken of the herb was not stated making it difficult to assess the potentially toxic affects claimed. A 2018 study said there were three case reports available that demonstrate possible adverse neonatal effects, such as fetal hypoxia, myocardial infarction, and congestive cardiac failure. Whether these effects resulted from blue cohosh itself is not known, given that herbs are often used in combination with other plants, and adulteration and contamination problems can occur. 

  • Contraindications & Cautions

    Contraindicated in women trying to conceive and early pregnancy. 

  • Drug Interactions

    None known

  • Dietary Information

    Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free

  • Substitutes

    Black Cohosh, Raspberry Leaves, Dong Quai