Information About The Herb Blue Cohosh

Botanical Name: Caulophyllum thalictroides

Common Name: Beechdrops, Blue Ginseng, Papoose Root, Squawroot, Yellow Ginseng

Plant Family: Berberidaceae

Origin: United States and Canada, ranging from southern Canada, as far south as the Carolinas and as far west as Missouri. 

History: Native American Indians used this herb during childbirth to:

• induce labor
• ease the pain and difficulty of childbirth

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Plant Constituents

Contains:

• extractive
• greenish-yellow coloring matter
• gum
• phosphoric acid
• salts
• soluble resin
• starch
• substance similar to Saponin

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Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: Rhizome, Root  

Blue Cohosh is commonly used for:

Blood Conditions

• dissolves fats in the bloodstream

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

• epilepsy
• hysteria

Female Conditions

• all female complaints
• expedites a speedy delivery during childbirth, in very small doses combined with Squawvine and Black Cohosh (do not start taking any earlier than two weeks before delivery date)
• induces labor
• regulates menstruation
• suppressed menstruation
• uterine inflammation

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• colic, especially in children
• cramps, especially in children

Genitourinary Conditions

• dropsy

Inflammatory Conditions

• rheumatism 

Action:

• antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]
• anthelmintic [an agent that destroys or expels intestinal worms and/or parasites; vermicide; vermifuge]
• diaphoretic [an agent that promotes perspiration]
• diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
• emmenagogue [an agent that promotes menstrual flow]
• oxytocic [an agent that stimulates contraction of the uterine muscle, facilitating or speeding up childbirth]

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Precautions

Caution:

Blue Cohosh

• should not be taken during pregnancy except in the last two weeks

and can: 

• be very irritant to mucous surfaces
• cause dermatitis on contact (the plant) 

Drug Interactions:

Do not use Blue Cohosh without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if your taking any of the following medications:

• None Known

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Products

Global Herbal Supplies has Blue Cohosh available in the following forms:

• Blue Cohosh Extract
• Dried Blue Cohosh

Research

Articles

Information given by our website  is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.

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D: Damiana  ||  Dandelion  ||  Devil's claw  ||  Dill  ||  Dong quai  ||  Dragon blood  ||

E: Echinacea  ||  Elder tree ||  Elecampane  ||  Ephedra  ||  Eucalyptus  ||  Evening primrose  ||  Eyebright  ||

F: False unicorn  ||  Fennel ||  Fenugreek  ||  Feverfew  ||  Flax  ||  Frankincense  ||

G: Garlic  ||  Gentian  ||  Ginger  ||  Ginkgo biloba  ||  Ginseng american  ||  Ginseng korean  ||  Ginseng siberian  ||  Ginseng tienchi  ||  Goat's rue || Goldenrod ||  Goldenseal   ||  Gotu kola  ||  Gravel root  ||  Green tea  ||  Guaiacum resin  || Gymnema  ||

H: Hawthorn  ||  Hemidesmus indicus ||  Hops  ||  Horehound white  ||  Horseradish  ||  Horsetail  ||  Hyssop  ||

I-J-K-L: ||  Inula || Juniper ||  Kava kava || Lavender  ||  Lemon balm ||  Licorice  ||

M-N-O: Marshmallow  ||  Meadowsweet ||  Mistletoe  ||  Mugwort  ||  Myrrh  || Neem  ||  Nettles || Oats  ||  Olive tree ||

P-Q: Paeonia lactiflora  ||  Passionflower  ||  Pau_D Arco  ||  Peppermint  ||  Phyllanthus amarus  ||  Picrorhiza kurroa  ||  Plantain  ||  Polygala tenuifolia  ||  Polygonum multiflorum ||  Queens delight ||

R: Raspberry leaves  ||  Red clover  ||  Rehmannia glutinosa  ||  Rheum palmatum  ||  Ribwort  ||  Rosehips  ||  Rosemary  ||  Rue  ||

S: Sage  ||  Salvia militiorrhiza  ||  Sarsaparilla  ||  Saw palmetto  ||  Senna ||  Shepherd's purse  ||  Skullcap  ||  Slippery elm  ||  Squaw vine ||  St john's wort  ||  St mary's thistle ||

T-U-V: Thyme  ||  Thyme wild ||  Uva ursi || Valerian  ||  Vervain  ||  Violet  ||  Vitex agnes castus  ||

W: Walnut  ||  Wild cherry  ||  Wild yam  ||  Willow bark  ||  Willow herb  ||  Witch hazel  ||  Withania  ||  Wormwood  ||

Y-Z: Yarrow  ||  Yellow dock || Zizyphus ||