Blue and Black Cohosh as Labor Inducer

Cohosh is a medicinal herb, considered as a "woman's herb", as it is believed to improve contractions during labor, correct delayed or irregular menstruation and prevent heavy bleeding and pain during menstruation. Blue and black cohosh are natural remedies applied by natives of North America. The belief of the native Americans is that the blue cohosh could bring about labor contractions and could hasten the childbirth. The native Americans likewise used the herb to treat other ailments to include sore throat, hiccups, infant colic, epilepsy and arthritis, among others. It was also used as a strong decoction for contraception. Later, the European settlers of North America learned of the value of the herbs from the native people.

The current medicinal uses of blue cohosh are similar to its traditional uses. It is chiefly considered an herb particularly to treat women. It is processed as a uterine tonic aimed to bring relief for pain to the uterus and ovary, and to help improve the menstrual blood flow.

As labor inducer, the blue and black cohosh are said to have both properties to stimulate and facilitate childbirth. Both are said to also have relaxing effect for labor.

The blue cohosh when taken, is said to produce contractions which are regular and effective and produce good relaxation for the mother. Because of its tonic properties, it helps to improve continuing labor pains. It is very helpful when childbirth is delayed and when the delay is caused by weakness, fatigue and lack of uterine power. Its relaxant qualities are also very helpful when tension produces uterine irritability, with spasmodic pains, false labor pains and very strong Braxton-Hicks contractions. Among the native American women, they drank it to remedy false pains and after pains. They take the tea regularly a few weeks before the birth was due, as a partus preparatory to bring about proper labor.

Blue cohosh is used to soothe restlessness, tension and pain during pregnancy. Its antispasmodic action contributes to ensure that the uterus holds the growing baby, that is why it helps to prevent premature delivery. The same antispasmodic properties help to alleviate stomach and menstrual cramps. When it is used with other remedies like black haw or cramp, it helps to prevent miscarriage. It acts as relaxant and tonic to the nervous system. Meanwhile, contemporary herbalists also promote the herb not only as a menstruation treatment and labor inducer, but also to treat other ailments such as asthma, anxiety, cough, arthritis and high blood pressure.

The herb's reputation for facilitating childbirth and for gynecological conditions is attributed in part to the steroidal saponins in the plant, which are known to stimulate the uterus. The dosage for the decoction is 1 teaspoon of the dried root in a cup of water which is boiled and simmered for 10 minutes. This is drunk three times a day. For the tincture, it is 0.5 to 2 ml of the tincture, applied three times a day. However, there are also careful warnings that blue cohosh should not be taken during early pregnancy and during the pregnancy period because of its strong effects. Furthermore, those with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or a history of stroke are forewarned of its use and should always seek professional supervision when taking it.

While blue and black cohosh are widely used herbs to start labor naturally, it is said that black cohosh is also linked to bleeding. It was noted that many women who used black cohosh as a natural labor inducer, experienced excessive bleeding during labor. These resulted to many blood transfusions and became dangerous when caesarian operation was imperative. It is not also good for women who are having anemia or low iron counts. It is best therefore to consult your healthcare provider before considering to use these two herbs to induce labor.