Blue Cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Berberidaceae, or the barberry family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• It is found in hardwood forest of the eastern United States, and favors moist coves and hillsides, generally in shady locations, in rich soil. It grows in eastern North America, from Manitoba and Oklahoma east to the Atlantic Ocean. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Fresh or dried roots/rhizomes ^[1]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Anticonvulsant
• Antirheumatic
• Febrifuge
• Emetic
• Sedative
• Emmenagogue
• Uterine tonic
• Antispasmodic ^[1]
5. Indications:
• Labor induction, uterine tonic, labor augmentation, parturifacient, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, hormonal imbalance, muscular tension ^[1]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Alkaoids, glycosides, saponins ^[1]
7. System Affinities:
• Musculoskeletal, reproductive, endocrine ^[1]  
8. Energetics:
• Warm, sharp, clear, dry, liquid ^[2]
9. Safety:
• Not safe for pregnancy (*labor ONLY*). Toxicity from large doses has been linked to fetal tachycardia. Large doses may also cause maternal hypertension. Labor dosing discussed in detail below. ^[1]
10. Interactions:
• None known. ^[1]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The tincture of Blue Cohosh is clear and golden in color. Light yellow and smooth – not thick. However, the taste is extremely bitter. It’s not as unbearable as black cohosh, just a different feeling.
2. Preparation Method:
• Make or source blue cohosh tincture with a medium to high ethanol percentage (50-75% ideally). A small amount of vinegar added to acidify tinctures will also increase extraction of alkaloids in the plant.  Do not recommend infusions or decoctions, as saponins are highly water soluble and you may concentrate them too much. ^[1]
• Tincture: Use low-dosing: 1-5 drops per hour, or 5-10 drops every 2 hours along with other herbs to help coordinate uterine ctxs (ie: Black Cohosh, Cramp Bark, Cotton Root). After 3 or 4 doses, STOP dosing. ^[1]
3. Usage Notes:
•  I couldn't sense any uterine effects from the dosage I took. I did however sense some of the sedative effects pretty quickly. It made me feel super sleepy! The bitterness did linger in my mouth for a long time – especially the back of my mouth.

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Week 6 Study Questions. Bastyr University: FA-18_MW5124-A Botanicals 4: Labor.
2. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.