Blue Cohosh
Caulophyllum thalictroides
Also known as Blur Ginseng, Papoose Root, Squawroot, and Yellow Ginseng
History: Eastern Woodland Indians used the Algonquin word Cohosh, meaning rough, to describe the knotted roots of the Blue Cohosh plant. Native Americans valued Blue Cohosh as a diuretic and would use it to induce labor, treat muscle spasms, stimulate menstrual flow. American colonists quickly adopted Blue Cohosh for its medicinal value. Traditionally, the root is sliced and prepared as a tincture, meaning that it is soaked in grain alcohol in order to extract specific compounds.
Warning: Blue Cohosh can have severe interactions and side effects. Pregnant women should avoid Blue Cohosh Root.
ModernUses: Blue cohosh is Uses stimulate the uterus and start labor, starting menstruation, stopping muscle spasms, as a laxative, and for treating colic, sore throat, cramps, hiccups, epilepsy, hysterics, inflammation of the uterus, and joint conditions.
Recent research shows that Blue Cohosh is indicated for drawing and muscular pains in the loins, back, and thigh, pain across the shoulders, and stiff neck. It has also been used for meningitis after the acute symptoms have passed (Harper-Shove, 1952). Contemporary use emphasizes gynecological indications but the broader application of A. The German Commission E approved its use for “premenstrual
discomfort, dysmenorrhea or climacteric (menopausal) neurovegetative ailments”. Romm
14 (2010) suggests similar uses while adding the modern indication of osteoporosis as well
as the traditional indications of ovarian pain, musculoskeletal pain, and coughs.
Active Ingredients: methylcytisine, N-methylcytisine, thalictroidine, aporphine, sparteine, the saponins caulosaponine and caulophyllosaponine, as well as alkaloids, taspine, magnoflorine, anagyrine, baptifoline
Actions: Emmenagogue, antispasmodic, diuretic, diaphoretic, and anthelmintic
Complementary Herbs: It is sometimes combined with Mitchella repens and Eupatoria aromatica