Blue Cohosh - Gyenological Aid
or Toxic Herb?

Blue Cohosh Is a herb that is commonly used by midwives to help induce labor in pregnant women. Women also use it to help regulate their menstrual cycles.

It may also be utilized by women to minimize pain they may experience from their menstrual cramps. It is not related to black cohosh, as it belongs to different botanical families. However, they have both been used to treat gynecologic problems.

It is considered to be a uterine stimulant, as it improves the tone of the uterine muscles.

Blue cohosh is considered an emmenagogue, as it helps to regulate a woman's monthly menstrual cycles.

Emmenagogues dilate uterine blood vessels, and promote circulation in the pelvic area. This makes it a useful herb for women experiencing irregular or spotty menstrual periods. Women may see the best results from this herb, when taken before menstruation, or the week after.

It has also proven useful for women experiencing painful menstrual cramps. It may be most effective on women whose menstrual cramps are the most painful on the first day of their monthly periods

Amenorrhea is the medical term that is used for women that are having trouble regulating their menstrual cycles.

This can be caused by a number of things, including stress, anorexia, shock, or disorders of the ovaries

When taken orally, blue cohosh can be used to induce labor. It is a very popular herb that is used by midwives for this purpose. However, this herb should only be taken only with the supervision of a medical professional, when used to induce labor.

It contains two substances that cause the uterus to contract, and one other substance, called caulosaponin, that is found only in blue cohosh, that also causes uterine contractions.

Many websites advocate using this herb to terminate a pregnancy, but I cannot recommend it for this purpose, as there have been several cases of problems involving women taking it.

The alkaloid methylcytisine and the glucoside caulosaponin are the primary ingredients in this herb that give it its medicinal qualities.

Methycytisine stimulates the respiratory system, while also stimulating the intestinal tract. It will also increase blood pressure levels. This would indicate that blue cohosh would be contraindicated for those individuals with high blood pressure.

You should not take this herb if you are pregnant without first talking to your primary care physician. It may cause a miscarriage or the onset of premature labor.

It is not recommended that individuals with any kind of heart condition, glaucoma, diabetes, or a history of stroke take this herb.

There has been a reported case of a neonate developing acute myocardial infarction when the mother took it during the last stages of pregnancy.. This newborn child in this report eventually recovered, but was critically ill for several weeks.

Also, this herb, when taken in excess, has a tendency to stress the kidneys, making it contraindicated for those with any kind of kidney problems.

Compared to black cohosh, as a treatment for gynecologic problems, black cohosh is the much safer of these two home remedies.

it may cause a woman's unborn child to develop birth defects, if taken very early in her pregnancy.

Also, blue cohosh may contribute to high blood pressure.

Important: In fact, it is considered by many to be a toxic herb, and is not meant for human consumption.

One of its main ingredients, caulosaponin, restricts the flow of blood in the coronary arteries and may contribute to the development of heart disease.

In conclusion, this herb should not be taken without proper medical supervision. Its berries are poisonous, while its leaves and stem can irritate the skin.

It would be wise to consult with a qualified naturopathic physicians before taking blue cohosh.