Evidence supporting the use of: Blue Cohosh
For the health condition: Amenorrhea
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American and 19th-century Western herbalists, to support menstrual health and address conditions such as amenorrhea (absence of menstruation). Historical records indicate that Blue Cohosh was used by some indigenous groups and later by eclectic physicians to stimulate menstrual flow, often as part of broader "female tonic" formulas. The purported mechanism was its emmenagogue action—meaning it was thought to stimulate uterine contractions and promote menstruation. However, modern scientific research on Blue Cohosh for amenorrhea is scant. There are no well-designed clinical trials evaluating its efficacy for this particular condition, and the pharmacological studies that exist primarily focus on its potential uterotonic and labor-inducing effects, rather than amenorrhea specifically. Additionally, safety concerns have been raised regarding Blue Cohosh, as some of its constituents may have toxic effects, particularly during pregnancy. In summary, while tradition supports the use of Blue Cohosh for amenorrhea, robust scientific validation is lacking, and its use is not recommended without professional guidance due to safety concerns.
Other ingredients used for Amenorrhea
ashwagandhachaste tree
chasteberry
dong quai root
fennel
fenugreek
ginger
ginseng
licorice root
maca
motherwort
rhodiola
vitamin B6
vitamin D
wild yam
shen-chu
anise
blessed thistle
dioscorea
shepherd's purse
Angelica
Achyranthes
Alchemilla
Aletris
Aerva lanata
Anemone
Asteracea
Agnuside
Ashoka
Abuta
Blue Cohosh
Bethroot
Ba Ji Tian
Cohosh
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cyathula
Chrysophanics
Dong Quai
Estrogen
False Unicorn Root
Iris
Pennyroyal
Other health conditions supported by Blue Cohosh
Afterbirth PainAmenorrhea
Cramps (menstrual)
Dysmenorrhea
Labor and Delivery
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)