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Browse Top 100 HerbsBlue cohosh has been used for hundreds of years primarily to help women in the area of childbirth. It was used as a medicinal herb by Native American women to facilitate labor. Today, the herb is most commonly used to stimulate labor and to ease the effects of childbirth.
Modern herbalists often recommend blue cohosh as an emmenagogue to induce menstruation, and as a uterine stimulant and antispasmodic. It is also frequently employed as a diuretic to eliminate excess fluids, as an expectorant to treat congestion, and as a diaphoretic to eliminate toxins by inducing sweating. Traditional herbalists will often combine blue cohosh and black cohosh to effect a more balanced treatment for nerves and to enhance the herbs' antispasmodic effects. Blue cohosh is combined with other herbs to promote their effects in treating bronchitis, nervous disorders, urinary tract ailments, and rheumatism. Blue cohosh is also thought to help pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, erratic menstruation, and retained placenta. In addition, the herb is also believed to relieve ovarian neuralgia (nerve pain).
Although blue cohosh has been indicated for many conditions, all indications lack sufficient scientific data to support their efficacy and safety at this time. More research is needed in these areas before firm conclusions can be drawn.
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.
Allergies
Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or sensitivity to blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), any of its constituents, or members of the Berberidaceae family.
Side Effects and Warnings
One commonly reported effect of blue cohosh is its uterine-stimulating effects, which may be viewed as a desirable effect when used to induce labor, but an adverse effect when used for other purposes during pregnancy.
Other adverse effects of blue cohosh may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and cardiotoxic effects on the fetus (when used in pregnant women). Myocardial infarction (heart attack), congestive heart failure, shock, and myocardial toxicity have also been reported.
Strokes and seizures have been documented in infants whose mother ingested blue cohosh during pregnancy.
Due to nicotinic effects of the constituent N-methylcytisine, blue cohosh could cause dilated pupils, hyperventilation, nystagmus (involuntary, alternating, rapid and slow movements of the eyeballs), thirst, hyperthermia, seizures, hyper- or hypotension (high or low blood pressure), chest pain, tachycardia (fast heart rate), irregular pulse, or coma.
Blue cohosh may cause hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar levels) and anemia in infants following maternal use.
Patients who smoke or are quitting smoking, and those with diabetes should use blue cohosh cautiously and consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Pregnancy: Although there is conflicting evidence about the use of blue cohosh during pregnancy, it has traditionally been used to induce labor or abortion. The use of blue cohosh to induce abortion has been associated with adverse effects in the mother and/or fetus. There have been reports of cardiotoxicity in the newborn infants of the mothers who ingested blue cohosh; the resulting adverse effects included congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction (heart attack) or toxicity, stroke, and shock. Use of blue cohosh during pregnancy to stimulate the uterus in order to ease the effects of labor should only be used under medical supervision.
Breastfeeding: Blue cohosh is not recommended in breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.
Adults (18 years and older)
Based on available scientific evidence, there is no proven safe or effective dose for blue cohosh. As a decoction, 4 grams twice daily or 1-3 grams every three to four hours has been used. As a fluid extract, 0.5-1.0 milliiliter (1:1 in 70% alcohol) three times daily as a preparation for pregnancy has been used. As an infusion/tea, 2-4 fluid ounces (1oz root to 1 pint boiling water) two to four times daily has been used. Also, 300-1,000 milligrams of the dried whole herb up to three times daily has been used.
Children (younger than 18 years)
There is not enough scientific evidence to safely recommend the use of blue cohosh in children.