Caulophyllum thalictroides Origin- USA

Also known as Caulophylum thalictroides, blue ginseng, yellow ginseng, papoose root, squawroot. Not to be confused with black cohosh, an unrelated plant.

Introduction

Blue cohosh is a woodland plant in the same family as barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape root, native to the eastern United States and Canada. It was widely used by midwives both among Native Americans and American settlers in the nineteenth century to induce labor, and to treat menstrual cramps in women and stomach cramps in both sexes. The Iroquois used it to treat arthritis, the Mohegan to treat urinary tract infections, and the Cherokee used it as a tranquilizer.

Constituents

Alkaloids: scaulophylline (methylcytisine), anagyrine, baptifoline; and magnoflorine. Also contains a unique saponin, caulosaponin, its primary active ingredient.

Parts Used

Dried root. Typical Preparations

Most frequently used as a tincture. Traditionally combined with goldenseal. May also be used as an extract, capsule or tea.

Summary

Blue cohosh stimulates uterine activity. It can stop menstrual cramping, initiate menstruation when periods are missed, induce labor, or prevent implantation of the fertilized egg into the lining of the uterus during the first 24 hours after intercourse. It is also used to prevent excessive menstrual flow, relieve abdominal cramping, and to treat headache and seizures. As an analgesic, blue cohosh is about 50% more effective than aspirim

Precautions

Blue Cohosh is a useful herb that should be used with care. If you are pregnant or wishing to use it as a birth control method, it must only be administered by an experienced practitioner. Infants should never be given blue cohosh, or be nursed for 12 hours after their mothers or breastfeeding surrogates have taken blue cohosh. Do not use if there is high blood pressure or heart disease.

Additional Info

This natural herb (which is really a root) is primarily used as a diuretic as an aid to menstruation, as the compound calulopsonin which is contained in blue cohosh root is known to promote uterine contractions; North American Indians employed it to induce labor.

Caulophyllum thalictroides powder can be taken in capsule form. Traditionally however, sliced blue cohosh root is commonly prepared as a tincture, meaning that it is soaked in grain alcohol in order to extract the medinicinal compound.

Because of its abortifacient properties, pregnant women shoul avoid blue cohosh root until the ninth month of pregnancy. Substances which are labeled as “herbs” (many of which are leaves, flowers, roots and seeds as well) are often perceived as harmless, but in fact, such bulk organic herbs should be used as cautiously as pharmaceutical drugs. Dried herbs such as caulophyllum thalictroides can have interactions and side effects, and can be harmful if not used judiciously

For educational purposes only

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Information Obtained from mountain rose herbs @ http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

Folklore Information