Blue cohosh's therapeutic uses
Blue cohosh is a flowering herb native to North America, traditionally recognized for its potential therapeutic uses, especially in women's health. Historically, it has been utilized to address various gynecologic conditions and is often associated with labor induction. However, its use for these purposes is not recommended due to significant safety concerns and a lack of credible evidence supporting its effectiveness. Cases of serious side effects, particularly in infants, have been reported, raising alarms about its safety profile. In addition to its intended uses, blue cohosh has also been linked to treating conditions like arthritis, cramps, and muscle spasms, yet these applications are similarly not well-supported by scientific research. The herb contains compounds that may adversely affect cardiovascular health and could lead to severe birth defects. Given these risks and the availability of safer alternatives, health professionals strongly advise against the use of blue cohosh for any therapeutic purposes.
Blue cohosh's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: None
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Inducing labor (not recommended), regulating menstrual cycle (not recommended)
Overview
Blue cohosh, a toxic flowering herb native to North America, grows in forested areas from the southeastern United States to Canada. Sometimes known as squaw root or papoose root, the herb may have been used medicinally by Indigenous Americans, although this belief is controversial. Other common names for the herb include yellow ginseng and blue ginseng. Blue cohosh should not be confused with the similarly named (but unrelated and much safer) black cohosh. European settlers and Black Americans used blue cohosh in the nineteenth century, primarily for gynecologic conditions. Blue cohosh also has a reputation as an herb that can induce abortions, although concerns regarding its efficacy and safety make this use extremely ill-advised. Additionally, it has been used to treat arthritis, cramps, epilepsy, inflammation of the uterus, hiccups, colic, muscle spasms, constipation, and sore throat.
Therapeutic Dosages
Blue cohosh is usually used as a tincture. Common dosages range from five to ten drops, taken every two to four hours.
Therapeutic Uses
Blue cohosh is widely prescribed by herbalists and midwives. Approximately 64 percent of certified nurse-midwives who prescribe herbal medicines use blue cohosh to induce labor. However, this survey is flawed because it did not consider whether the midwives were certified nurse-midwives or simply self-identified as midwives. Further, the survey did not indicate how and in what context the midwives used blue cohosh. Still, blue cohosh has long been used in traditional women’s health. It has also been used for a wide variety of menstrual problems, including several for which it would not be logical to believe that the same treatment could help. For example, blue cohosh has been used to start late menstrual periods and stop excessive or ongoing menstrual flow.
There is no credible evidence that blue cohosh is effective for any of the conditions for which it has been used. Furthermore, several published reports cite cases of serious side effects to infants caused by blue cohosh. There is an increasing awareness of the dangers of blue cohosh even with the traditional and alternative medicine community as research and case studies have highlighted its potential dangers and not shown benefits of use.
Safety Issues
There are many serious safety concerns with blue cohosh. Some of the compounds found in blue cohosh, such as caulophyllum saponin, methylcytosine, and caulosaponin, appear to constrict coronary vessels, limiting blood flow to the heart and reducing its ability to pump. One published case reports profound heart failure in a child born to a woman who used blue cohosh to induce labor. Severe medical consequences were also seen in another child. Other blue cohosh constituents are known to interfere with the ability of a newly fertilized ovum to implant in the uterus, damage the uterus and thyroid, and cause severe birth defects in cattle and laboratory rats. Given these reports, the availability of safe alternatives for stimulating labor, and the lack of studies to document the herb’s efficacy and safety, experts strongly advise against using blue cohosh.
Bibliography
"Blue Cohosh." National Library of Medicine, 17 May 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501780. Accessed 15 Aug. 2023.
"Blue Cohosh – Health Information Library." PeaceHealth, www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/hn-2048000. Accessed 6 Sept. 2024.
"Blue Cohosh Uses, Side Effects & Warnings." Drugs.com, 10 May 2024, www.drugs.com/mtm/blue-cohosh.html. Accessed 6 Sept. 2024.
Lee, Yeonju, et al. "Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Triterpene Saponins Isolated from Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)." Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM, vol. 2012, 2012, p. 798192, doi:10.1155/2012/798192.
Multum, Cerner. "Blue Cohosh." Drugs, 10 May 2024, www.drugs.com/mtm/blue-cohosh.html. Accessed 6 Sept. 2024.