Blue Cohosh
Herbal remedy for inducing and supporting labor
Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) is one of the many remedies introduced by Native Americans for the female reproductive system. The term “cohosh” appears to be an Algonquian Indian word associated with pregnancy. Our other “cohosh” remedy is black cohosh. In spite of the similar sounding names, the two plants are not related and have very different uses, although both help regulate the female reproductive cycle.
Named for its blue stem, blue cohosh is a native flowering herb that grows in forested areas from the southeastern United States to Canada. It has a striking appearance due to its purple-blue stems that divide into leaves at the top which surround a single flower.
Blue cohosh is primarily considered a female remedy because it is most commonly used to improve contractions during labor, relieve menstrual disorders and pain and bring on menstruation. Some of its other common names, squaw root and papoose root, suggest its use as a female and childbirth remedy. It was traditionally used by Native Americans, European settlers and African Americans for gynecological conditions and is still used by herbalists and midwives today.
Blue cohosh is strong medicine. It is not a food herb, as an examination of its constituents will demonstrate. For starters, it contains caulosaponin and caulophyllosaponin, which are glycosides that stimulate the uterus. These compounds can also constrict coronary blood vessels and have been shown to inhibit ovulation in rats. Another compound in blue cohosh is an alkaloid that acts in a very similar manner to nicotine—N-methylcystisine. This compound can raise blood pressure and cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
Blue cohosh has a strong oxytocic effect. Oxytocin is the hormone that stimulates uterine contractions and because of this property, it is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy except in the last 2-3 weeks. Not only can blue cohosh stimulate miscarriage, it may be capable of causing congestive heart failure in the developing infant. It was blamed for this in one case, and although the evidence was inconclusive it is wise to err on the side of caution when it comes to the health of the unborn child. For all of these reasons, any woman who is trying to get pregnant or has become pregnant should NOT take blue cohosh.
For all the warnings around the use of this herb in the early part of pregnancy, it is widely used and prescribed by herbalists and midwives to induce labor. In a recent survey published in the Journal of Nurse-midwifery it was found that 64% of certified nurse-midwives use blue cohosh to induce labor. It is also used to avert premature labor and facilitate postpartum recovery. So, starting about two to three weeks before delivery, it is safe to take small doses of blue cohosh to prepare the body for delivery. It is also safe to take after the due date to induce labor and during labor to assist delivery.
Taken during labor, blue cohosh stimulates uterine contractions, while simultaneously relaxing muscle spasms in the pelvic floor. This both speeds delivery and eases the pain of labor. The herb has been nicknamed “a woman’s best friend” because of its ability to help in cases of prolonged, painful labor where fatigue sets in. It is also believed that it is methylcytisine that has a stimulating effect on the uterine muscles and that quickens delayed delivery.
Besides being used to assist labor and delivery, blue cohosh has other positive uses. For example, it is used to treat amenorrhea or lack of periods. It is also used to treat ovarian cysts, ovarian pain and endometriosis pain. Studies have also show that the plant inhibits the implantation of a fertilized egg, so it may have a contraceptive action.
In the 19th century, Cook writes that blue cohosh is stimulating and relaxing in about equal degrees, spending its main powers upon the nervous system. These qualities make it one of the very best anti-spasmodics to relieve nervous feebleness with irritability, as in cramping of the bowels, twitching of the muscles in parturient cases, hysteria, painful menstruation and colic. It helps relieve menstrual cramps and discomfort, such as “heavy legs” and heavy blood flow, as well as nervous irritability and insomnia. Blue cohosh also helps with rheumatism, and chronic inflammation of the womb.
Suggested Use
A strong remedy, blue cohosh should only be taken for short periods of time for a specific purpose. For reproductive problems, or during the last two to three weeks of pregnancy, a good dose would be 1 capsule twice daily. Once the due date in pregnancy has passed, the dose can be increased to 2 capsules two to three times daily. Under the direction of a skilled midwife or herbalist, as much as 2 capsules every two hours can be taken during labor.
Warning: As a strong oxytocic herb, blue cohosh stimulates uterine contractions and can cause abortion or miscarriage during pregnancy, so it should not be used during pregnancy except in the last two to three weeks or during labor.
Selected References
Herbs, Helps and Pressure Points for Pregnancy and Childbirth by Katherine Tarr
The Wild Rose Scientific Herbal by Terry Willard.
Therapeutic Herb Manual by Ed Smith.
Herbal Therapy and Supplements by Merrily A. Kuhn and David Winston
The Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier
