Blue Cohosh Root C/S (Caulophyllum thalictroides) 1 lb: K

This is Frontier's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack. Some Frontier packs are double wall wax-lined paper. Used as an infusion, decoction, extract and tincture. Known as squawroot or papooseroot, Blue Cohosh was widely used in Native America as a uterine toner, especially prior to delivery. Some Indian women drank a strong decoction as a contraceptive. The herb was official in the US Pharmacopeia as a labor inducer from 1882 to 1905. Blue Cohosh's saponin, called caulosaponin, has been shown to stimulate uterine contractions. Several other alkaloids are also known to be active. As an anti-spasmodic, it eases false labor and menstrual cramps. It also helps ease delivery. As Grieve puts it, 'In use it is preferable to Ergot, expediting delivery, where delay results from debility, fatigue or want of uterine nervous energy.' It is a safe emmenagogue. Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Emmenagogue, antispasmodic, diuretic, diaphoretic and anthelmintic. Said to be successfully used in rheumatism, dropsy, epilepsy, hysteria and uterine inflammation, specially for chronic cases. It is sometimes combined with Mitchella repens and Eupatoria aromatica.' 'In use it is preferable to Ergot, expediting delivery, where delay results from debility, fatigue or want of uterine nervous energy.' 'Doses: Decoction or Infusion. 1 oz. of root to 1 pint of boiling water, macerated for ½ hour. Dose, 2 to 4 fluid ounces three or four times a day.' 'Tincture: 3 oz. of finely powdered root to 1 pint of alcohol, allowed to soak for two weeks, then well shaken and filtered. Dose, ½ fluid drachm to 2 fluid drachms. Fluid extract, 10 to 30 drops. Solid extract, 5 to 10 grains. Caulophyllum, 2 to 5 grains.' King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Of caulophyllum, Rafinesque states that 'as a powerful emmenagogue it promotes delivery, menstruation, and dropsical discharges,' and that 'it was employed by the Indians and their imitators for rheumatism, dropsy, colic, sore throat, cramp, hiccough, epilepsy, hysterics, inflammation of the uterus, etc.' 'Blue cohosh is reputed antispasmodic, emmenagogue, and parturifacient, besides being diuretic, diaphoretic, and expectorant.' 'Its use as a parturient originated in the custom of the Indian squaws of employing a decoction of the root for 2 or 3 weeks previous to labor to facilitate child-birth. This became known to the whites through Smith's publication. There is no doubt but that caulophyllum has a decided action upon the gravid uterus. During labor it relieves false pains and coordinates muscular contractions, at the same time increasing their power. Like macrotys, it is a better oxytocic than ergot. Unlike the latter agent it stimulates normal contraction instead of inducing spasmodic uterine action.' 'It is most valuable in those cases where delay is due to debility, fatigue, or lack of uterine nervous energy, and for deficient contractions where the tissues feel full, as if congest