{"id":10343,"date":"2022-03-02T00:55:03","date_gmt":"2022-03-02T00:55:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/?p=10343"},"modified":"2022-03-02T01:49:46","modified_gmt":"2022-03-02T01:49:46","slug":"blue-cohosh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/blue-cohosh\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Cohosh – An Herbal Interlude"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
Blue Cohosh is a perfect example of an herb that should be used with knowledge and experience. This is not an herb to read about on someone\u2019s blog and decide to take it. Rather, if you feel like it could be helpful, you are advised to seek guidance from an experienced herbalist, midwife, or other knowledgeable healthcare professional.<\/p>
All therapeutic agents can be placed on a continuum from very safe to potentially toxic. Some herbs are more nutritive and nourishing. These have a wide therapeutic index and can be taken safely in larger amounts. They support the body through nutrition and work to normalize physical and mental systems over time. Wild Oats, Stinging Nettle and Mullein are a few examples.\u00a0<\/p>
Other herbs, like Blue Cohosh, have a much narrower therapeutic index. That means that it has a stronger action, with potentially dramatic effects. A very useful, yet potent botanical, Blue Cohosh should only be used as part of a formula and under the supervision of a qualified herbalist or other knowledgeable healthcare practitioner.\u00a0<\/p>
That said, this is a fabulous herb! Let\u2019s get on with its exploration.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
A native of North America, Blue Cohosh is also called Blueberry Root, Blue Ginseng, Yellow Ginseng, Papoose Root and Squaw Root. It grows wild in the eastern regions of the United States and Canada, and can be found north, from New Brunswick and Maine, south to Tennessee and Arkansas and west into the hardwood forests of the Midwest. Here is a great botanical profile for identification by \u201cThe Friends of the Wildflower Garden, Inc.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t The root is collected in the fall when the leaves begin to die back. It can then be sliced or grated, then dried for use as an infusion (tea). The fresh root can be made into a tincture using 1 part plant material to 2 parts 70% alcohol.\u00a0<\/p> A tincture can also be made with the dry root, using 1-part dry root to 5 parts 50% alcohol.<\/p> Powdered herb in capsules are not recommended for use and have been tied to some rather strong side-effects. (See contra-indications below.)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Antispasmodic, diuretic, diaphoretic, anthelmintic, anti-rheumatic, mild sedative, emmenagogue, oxytocic, parturient (helps with childbirth), and analgesic.\u00a0<\/p> Energetics <\/strong>\u2013 Blue Cohosh is bitter and somewhat pungent. It is sweet, warm, dry, stimulating, restoring, relaxing, and decongesting.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t The roots contain the alkaloid methlyl cytisin, thought to be antispasmodic, and the Saponins, caulosapnin and caulophyllosapin, which are thought to increase tone. The alkaloids quinolizine and spartein, and n-methyeystine are responsible for many of its oxytocic properties. Blue Cohosh also contains several alkaloids known to have toxic effects on the cardiac muscle.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Blue Cohosh is best known as a women\u2019s herb. Indigenous peoples of Northeastern North America used it to encourage menstruation and encourage childbirth. \u00a0Today, midwives use the herb to aid stalled labor (in childbirth), and to treat a variety of genealogical complaints.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t The root of this herb has a long history of helping women through the birthing process, but it isn\u2019t without controversy. The best documented use, by the Native Americans, is to stimulate and support the uterus when labor has stalled.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Sometimes during long labors, contractions become feeble, inefficient, or even stop completely.\u00a0 On the other end of the spectrum, they sometimes become extremely severe and spasmodic.\u00a0<\/p> Blue Cohosh\u2019s oxytocic action may help induce regular, effective contractions. It is often combined with Black Cohosh root (Actaea racemose<\/em>) and\/or other herbs to help stimulate labor and ripen the cervix to facilitate childbirth. The suggested dose is approximately \u00bd teaspoon of the decoction every \u00bd hour, or 3-8 drops of the tincture every 1 \u00bd hours.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Another traditional use for Blue Cohosh is as is an ingredient in a formula called \u201cMother\u2019s Cordial.\u201d Combined with Michella repens<\/em> (Partridge Berry), Rubus idaeus<\/em> (Red Raspberry leaves), Actaea racemose<\/em> (Black Cohosh), and Chamaelirium luteum<\/em> (False Unicorn Root), Mother\u2019s cordial is used in the last few weeks of pregnancy as a partus perpetrator (to prepare the body for labor and childbirth). The formula is said to make labor and delivery easier by promoting normal healthy uterine muscles and to promote effective contractions.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t The use of this herb in pregnancy and delivery has been associated with a range side effects on unborn and newborn babies. Modern data shows a relationship between the use of Blue Cohosh prior to birth, including during delivery, and children born with a variety of adverse outcomes including:<\/p> Midwives and mothers choosing to augment labor with Blue Cohosh would be advised to use fetal heart monitors during labor and delivery. If distress or deviations are observed in the fetal heart tones, the herb should be discontinued.<\/p> Most professional herbalists and midwives have stubbornly held opinions about this herb and its use. Some say it\u2019s best to use Blue Cohosh to prepare for birth when the uterus is weak from multiple births or lack of tone. Some say they have used it for years and have never had a problem. Others say the risk isn\u2019t worth it when other herbs could be used that are much safer for the unborn child. Nevertheless, its use is widespread during pregnancy among midwives and pregnant women.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t After the child is born, Blue Cohosh is safe and well-used in small doses to expel the placenta, reduce afterbirth pains, manage bleeding, and to help reduce the uterus to it\u2019s normal, prebirth size.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t An effective uterine tonic, Blue Cohosh can be useful, in formulas to improve uterine tone and is especially indicated in cases of prolapse and\/or when the uterine tissue is overly relaxed accompanied by a deep aching sensation in the legs and pelvis. It is useful for decreasing menstrual cramps, uterine spasm, and abdominal pain in general. (Especially at the onset on the menstrual cycle.)\u00a0<\/p> Blue Cohosh may be helpful where there has been chronic pelvic inflammation and a dragging sensation in the pelvic area. Thus, Blue Cohosh can be a part of an effective treatment for endometriosis, uterine and ovarian cysts, and fibroids. As an emmenagogue, it is used to treat amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) and Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). It is thought to be most useful when these issues are due to cold and pelvic congestion. Other indications for use include hysteria and breast pain.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t As an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic, it helps decrease general abdominal discomfort and congestion. Dr. King, a 19th<\/sup> century eclectic physician, describes Blue Cohosh\u2019s use for cramping and congestion of the digestive organs including flatulence, cramps, cramping after eating, IBS and spasmodic colic.\u00a0<\/p> He goes on to talk about Blue Cohosh\u2019s beneficial influence on abnormal conditions of the mucus membranes, stating that it may be a useful treatment for stomatitis and mouth sores.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Blue Cohosh can be used in small amounts as a mild sedative in cases of anxiety and restlessness. It has been used with some success when there is joint pain in the small joints of the fingers and toes, with otherwise no disfigurement. In this case, mix Blue Cohosh with True Solomon\u2019s seal (or another mucilaginous herb to protect digestive mucosa), and ginger or turmeric root.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\tPart Used and Preparations <\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Medicinal Actions of Blue Cohosh<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Chemical Constituents<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Medicinal Uses<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Blue Cohosh in Pregnancy and Childbirth<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Mother\u2019s Cordial<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
The Blue Cohosh Controversy <\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Post Natal use of Blue Cohosh<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Blue Cohosh and Women\u2019s Reproductive System<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Abdominal Congestion<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Other Medicinal uses for Blue Cohosh<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Contra-indications<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Further Reading<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNatural Solutions for Abdominal Organ Prolapse\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAn Herbal Interlude with Oregano\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t