Blue Cohosh

Botanical Name: Caulophyllus thalictroides Family: Berberidaceae

Common name(s): Blue Cohosh, Squawroot, Papoose Root

GROWING

  • Perennial; herbaceous | Zone 3-8 | 1-3 feet tall | Leaves dark purple when they emerge then they turn green. Greenish-brown or yellow-brown flowers mid to late spring, turn into waxy yellow flowers that hang below the foliage.
  • Partial to full shade| Moist, hummus-rich, acidic soil | Grows in woods

HARVESTING

Harvest the root/rhizome in Autumn

PREPARATION / DOSAGE

Decoction: Put 1 tsp of the dried root into 1 cup water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Drink 3x/day.

Tincture: 1-2ml 3x/day

MEDICAL

Constituents: Alkaloids, glycosides, gum, minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, silicon, phosphorus), salts, starch, steroidal saponins, resin

Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, uterine tonic

Uses: Menstrual irregularities (including cramping), genito-urinary disorders, worms, colic, easing childbirth

Cautions: Do not take during the first two trimesters of pregnancy

CHINESE MEDICINE

Acrid, bitter, warm, mildly toxic

SOURCES 


This herb may be growing down by my stream. I’ll be looking for it!