Side Effects Of Blue Cohosh Tincture

Blue cohosh -- also known as blue or yellow ginseng, papoose root, blueberry root and by its scientific name Caulophyllum thalictroides -- is a plant that has been used by Native Americans and alternative medicine practitioners as a method for inducing labor, regulating menstruation and treating conditions such as cramps, rheumatism and epilepsy. However, the use of blue cohosh extracts and tinctures is associated with a number of serious side effects, particularly for pregnant women. Do not use blue cohosh tincture -- or any other form of blue cohosh -- without first speaking to your doctor about the possible dangers.

Blue Cohosh

Blue cohosh is a North American plant whose powdered root is combined with alcohol to form a tincture. Although blue cohosh and another herb, black cohosh, share similar names and are both traditionally used for gynecological problems, they do not belong to the same family of plants and should not be used interchangeably. Avoid using blue cohosh if you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, a history of plant allergies or suffer from any digestive system disorder since the herb may worsen the symptoms of these conditions. Its use may cause mild side effects, such as stomach pain, nausea and headaches. Stop using blue cohosh tincture and seek immediate medical assistance if you develop hives, have difficulty breathing or experience swelling of the face, neck, tongue or lips.

Menstrual Side Effects

Although blue cohosh was traditionally used by Native Americans as a way to stimulate irregular menstruation or absent menstruation, also known as amenorrhea, the University of Maryland Medical Center strongly warns against using blue cohosh for menstrual problems, categorizing the herb as toxic. Drugs.com reports that the herb may cause extreme disruptions in the menstrual cycle and that there is no reliable scientific evidence to support the claim that blue cohosh use can normalize menstruation or ease menstrual pain and cramping.

Pregnancy Side Effects

A 2008 review of blue cohosh studies published in the "The Canadian Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" concluded that blue cohosh should be avoided during pregnancy. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine agrees, adding that using blue cohosh to induce labor may cause serious health problems in the infant. The "New Zealand Medical Journal," "New England Journal of Medicine" and "Journal of Pediatrics" have all published studies that indicate using blue cohosh during labor has been linked to neurological or heart damage in the newborn. Blue cohosh contains caulosaponin, caulophyllosaponin and N-methyl cytosine, compounds that researchers believe may be responsible for infant cardiovascular damage.

Other Considerations

Blue cohosh supplements and tinctures have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, no commercial products containing blue cohosh have been regulated to be certain that they are not contaminated with toxic chemicals or metals, that they contain the amount of blue cohosh advertised or that they are effective at treating any condition. Not all of the potential risks of blue cohosh use are known, and few reputable scientific studies exist to indicate that it is safe for long-term use. Consult your physician before using blue cohosh tincture for any reason.