The Blue Cohosh Herb

(Western Herb)

Caulophyllum thalictriodes

The Blue Cohosh herb is also known as Papoose Root, Squawroot, Beechdrops, Blue Ginseng, Leontice, and Blueberry Root.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

The Blue Cohosh herb is a perennial that rises from a thick, twisted rhizomous roots that may reach to three feet in height. It has clusters of greenish-yellow or greenish-purple flowers that appear in the spring.

The flowers are followed by small round seeds that resemble dark-blue berries. The berries are poisonous and about the size of a pea.

Blue Cohosh grows in the deep rich shady woodlands in eastern North America from New Brunswick to South Carolina. It is particularly abundant in the Allegheny Mountains.

Its name was derived from the dark blue seed and because it has similar effects to the unrelated black cohosh.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* colic

* asthma

* nervous coughs

* easing false labor pains

* inducing labor

* delayed menstruation

* rheumatic pain

PREPARATIONS: Blue Cohosh is available in liquid extract, powder, tincture, capsules, syrup, and tea in health food stores. It can be made into a decoction or an infusion.

It has a sweet-bitter taste that becomes acrid and a temperature of warm.

Parts used: Root (rhizome)

Collection: Roots are collected it the end of the growing season in autumn, this is when the roots contain the greatest concentration of the active ingredients.

Constituents: Steroidal saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids

Actions: Anti-spasmodic, anti-rheumatic, uterine tonic, sedative, nervine oxytocic, emmenagogue

Combinations: Blue Cohosh can be combined with False Unicorn Root, Yarrow, Motherwort to strengthen the uterus.

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS:

* This herb should not be used during the first two trimesters of pregnancy.

* This herb should always be used under the guidance of a medical practitioner.