Witnessed by: Western
Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), of the Berberidaceae family. Erect woodland perennial with blue-green divided leaves and deep-blue berry-like seeds; native range: rich moist woodlands of eastern North America. Globally recognized as papoose root, squaw root, blue ginseng in English. The part used is root and rhizome. Root bitter and markedly acrid, leaving a persistent tingling in the throat.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
BLUE COHOSH
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- blue cohosh
- Scientific name
- Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx.
- Family
- Berberidaceae
Form
- Part used
- root and rhizome
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter · acrid
Temperature
- Western
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- uterus · joints
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- uterine tonic, emmenagogue, antispasmodic, oxytocic, anti-rheumatic
Cautions
Contraindications: contraindicated throughout pregnancy except in the last weeks under skilled supervision; hypertension and cardiac disease
Toxicity: acrid and irritant, mucous-membrane and gastric irritation in overdose; the seeds and glycosides are cardiotoxic and reports link the herb to foetal cardiac harm
Interactions
- Western
- antihypertensives: vasoactive alkaloids may raise blood pressure and oppose therapy · cardiac glycosides: cardiotoxic constituents may add to glycoside effects on the heart
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