Berberidaceae
Blue Cohosh
Caulophyllum thalictroides
✗ High Risk
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Eastern North America
Also known as: Papoose Root, Squaw Root, Blue Ginseng, Yellow Ginseng
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Root
Therapeutic Uses
Labor preparation (uterine toning — traditional midwife herb for final weeks), delayed labor, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea. Used by Native American midwives for centuries. HIGH RISK in pregnancy except final weeks under expert guidance.
Herbal Actions
Uterine tonic, emmenagogue, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory
Active Constituents
Alkaloids (caulosaponin, cauloside D — oxytocic, N-methylcytisine), phytosterols, flavonoids, resin
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture🍵 Decoction
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 0.5 tsp simmered 15 min, used ONLY in final 2 weeks of pregnancy under skilled guidance |
| Tincture | 1–3 ml (1:5, 60% ethanol), ONLY under skilled midwife/herbalist guidance |
| Notes | SIGNIFICANT RISK herb — fetal adverse effects documented. Neonatal myocardial infarction cases reported. ONLY use under experienced skilled supervision in final weeks of pregnancy for labor preparation. Do not self-prescribe. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✗ High Risk
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Avoid throughout pregnancy EXCEPT final weeks under skilled supervision. Contains oxytocic alkaloids — powerful uterotonic. Neonatal toxicity risk. Cardiovascular effects.
Side Effects: Neonatal myocardial infarction (documented). Fetal hypoxia. Maternal hypertension. Nausea, vomiting. Do not use without skilled guidance.