| Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum) is one of the | | | | |
| medicinal herbs of North America. The plant | | | | While almost no scientific study of Blue |
| is a perennial woodland herb native to the | | | | Cohosh has been conducted, side effects |
| eastern part of North America. Blue Cohosh is | | | | reported by midwives include excessively |
| an oxytocic herb, meaning it mimics the | | | | strong tetanic contractions or |
| hormone oxytocin, which stimulates uterine | | | | hyperstimulation of the uterus, which could |
| contractions. This herb is also a uterine | | | | lead to Cesarean section. Additionally, it |
| tonic; it strengthens the uterine muscle like | | | | has been reported twice in medical literature |
| red raspberry. | | | | that use of Blue Cohosh was linked to heart |
| | | | problems in a newborn. |
| Blue Cohosh was traditionally used by Native | | | | |
| American women to ease their labor, because | | | | Like many potent herbs, Blue Cohosh is a |
| it is useful in helping the process of | | | | potential poison. Thus, instead of self-care |
| childbirth. The herb is often indicated if | | | | with potentially toxic herbs, seek the |
| labor is progressing slowly, if the cervix is | | | | guidance of an experienced herbalist. Some |
| undilated and rigid, with feeble | | | | herbalists are specialized in pregnancy care, |
| contractions, if the contractions are | | | | while other medical practitioners could take |
| irregular or if there's weakness of the | | | | an even harder line, saying that pregnant |
| uterus during labor. | | | | women should only use food herbs, not |
| | | | medicinal herbs. Recommending herbs for |
| Some homeopathic doctors recommend regular | | | | medicinal usage during pregnancy should be |
| consumption of Blue Cohosh daily during the | | | | left to qualified herbalists and midwives. |
| last two or three weeks of pregnancy as a way | | | | |
| to strengthen and prepare the woman for | | | | Here are some qualifications to look for in |
| childbirth. Some other homeopaths feel that | | | | an herbal practitioner: |
| one should never routinely consume Blue | | | | |
| Cohosh, but that each woman must be | | | | Traditional Chinese Medical practitioner, |
| individually treated. | | | | licensed naturopathic doctor (N.D.) or an |
| | | | herbalist approved through the peer-review |
| Blue Cohosh is among the medicinal herbs most | | | | process of the American Herbalist Guild |
| frequently used by nurse-midwives to induce | | | | (AHG). |
| labor and is taken orally either as a liquid | | | | |
| or capsule. Drawbacks include false labor, | | | | Professional associations: American Herb |
| uncomfortable toning contractions, and a drop | | | | Association, P.O. Box 1673, Nevada City, CA |
| in blood pressure. Because Blue Cohosh could | | | | 95959; American Herbalist Guild, 3051 Brown |
| induce labor, it should never be taken in | | | | Lane, Soquel, CA 95073; American Association |
| early pregnancy in any case because of the | | | | of Naturopathic Physicians, 2366 Eastlake |
| possibility that it might induce a | | | | Avenue, Suite 322, Seattle, WA 98102. |
| miscarriage. | | | | |