Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

(8–850 ppm),^13 very little taspine was found
in the dried rhizome (0.00013%).^3 Reduced
coronary flow was observed in rat heart pre-
parations infused withN-methylcytisine and a
vasoconstrictive effect was found in hog and
cattle carotid artery preparations exposed to
the compound.^14
Case reports of adverse effects attributed to
blue cohosh include contact dermatitis from
handling the root;^12 severe congestive heart
failure in a neonate after the mother ingested 3
times the recommended dose of blue cohosh
tablets for several weeks prior to parturition;^15
poisoning in children from ingestion of the
seeds.^12

USES

Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Used in diuretic, uterine, antispasmodic,
and emmenagogue as well as laxative
preparations.

Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Tea,
tincture, capsules, tablets, and other products

used primarily for menstrual difficulties

(amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea) (FOSTER).

Traditional Medicine. A decoction or syrup

of the root was used by American Indians as a

sedative to treat “hysterics” and “fits.” Often

in the form of a decoction, the root was also

used to treat rheumatism, fevers, stomach

cramps (alone or in conjunction with painful

menstruation), genitourinary problems in

men, profuse menstruation, to aid childbirth,

and in treatments of lung problems, including

hemorrhages (MOERMAN).

COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONS

Available as crude and extracts; crude was

formerly official in N.F. (1916–1942); U.S.P

(1880–1890). Strengths (seeglossary)ofex-

tracts are expressed as weight-to-weight ratios

between crude and extract.

Regulatory Status. Class 2b (not to be used in

pregnancy).

REFERENCES

See the General References forAPPLEQUIST;BARNES;DER MARDEROSIAN AND BEUTLER;FOSTER;GRIEVE;
KROCHMAL AND KROCHMAL;MCGUFFIN1&2;MERCK;YOUNGKEN.

1. J. W. Jhoo et al.,J. Agric. Food Chem., 49 ,
   5969 (2001).


2. M. Ganzera et al., Phytochem. Anal.,
   14 , 1 (2003).


3. E. J. Kennelly et al.,J. Nat. Prod., 62 ,
   1385 (1999).


4. M. S. Flom et al.,J. Pharm. Sci., 56 , 1515
   (1967).


5. M. S. Flom,Diss. Abstr. Int. B, 32 , 2312
   (1971).


6. C. T. Che,Diss. Abstr. Int. B, 43 , 1049
   (1982).


7. L. I. Strigina et al.,Khim. Prir. Soedin., 6 ,
   552 (1970).


8. L. I. Strigina et al.,Phytochemistry, 14 ,
   1583 (1975).
   9. M. M. Anisimov,Antibiotiki (Moscow),
   17 , 834 (1972).


9. L. I. Strigina et al.,Khim. Prir. Soedin., 5 ,
   619 (1976).


10. P. S. Benoit et al., Lloydia, 39 , 160
    (1976).


11. P. A. G. M. De Smet in P. A. G. M. De
    Smet, et al., eds., Adverse Effects of
    Herbal Drugs, Vol. 2, Springer-Verlag,
    Berlin, Germany, 1993, p. 153.


12. J. Betz et al.,Phytochem. Anal., 9 , 232
    (1998).


13. H. C. Ferguson and L. D. Edwards,J. Am.
    Pharm. Assoc., 43 , 16 (1954).


14. T. K. Jones and B. M. Lawson,J. Pediatr.,
    132 , 550 (1998).

Blue cohosh 105