Caulophyllum thalictroides

Common Name: Blue Cohosh

Family: Berberidaceae (Barberry family)

Parts used: Root

Constituents: Quinolizidine alkaloids (methyl-cytisine, anagyrine, bapitfoline, magnoflorine) and steroidal saponins (caulophyllosaponin and caulosaponin)

Taste/smell: Bitter, slightly acrid, with a sweet aftertaste

Tendencies: Cooling, drying

Actions

• Female reproductive tract tonic

• Uterine tonic

• Parturifacient (facilitates labor)

• Abortifacient (induces abortion)

• Vermifuge/Anthelmintic (kills parasites)

• Anti-inflammatory

• Anti-rheumatic

• Antispasmodic

• Diuretic

Uses

• Uterine weakness or loss of tone due to chronic inflammation

  • Amenorrhea

  • Dysmenorrhea

  • Cervicitis

  • Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

  • Endometriosis

  • Ovarian pain and inflammation

  • Irregular menstrual cycles

• Cyclic mastalgia (breast pain)

• Infertility in females

• Menorrhagia (heavy bleeding)

• Uterine prolapse

• Last weeks

Dosage

• Tincture (1:1, 25%): 10-50 drops (0.5-2 mL) TID

• Tea infusion: 1 tbsp per cup

• Capsules: 0.5-2 g of dried herb TID

Mental Picture and Specific Indications

• Specific for someone with heavy, achy, spasmodic uterine pain with congestion and prolapsed lax tissues, pain in the thighs and lower back, spasmodic muscular pains, rheumatic pains and a dull frontal headache with thirst

Contraindications

• Early pregnancy

• Nursing mothers

• Active duodenal ulcers

• Gastritis

• Hyperchlorhydria

• GERD

• Biliary obstruction

• Acute diarrhea

• Acute cholelithiasis

• Allergic hypersensitivity to Asteraceae family (i.e. arnica, chamomile, feverfew, ragweed, tansy, yarrow)

Adverse Effects

• In large doses, it causes gastrointestinal irritations with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Toxicity

• High doses may interfere with the absorption of nutrients

Interactions

• None known