noun
definition
A perennial American herb (Caulophyllum thalictroides), the rough rootstock of which is used in medicine.
definition
A smooth herb, Actaea racemosa, marketed for medicinal use.
Examples of cohosh in a Sentence
In Leontice thalictroides (Blue Cohosh), species of Ophiopogon, Peliosanthes and Stateria, the ovary ruptures immediately after flowering, and the ovules are exposed; and in species of Cuphea the placenta ultimately bursts through the ovary and corolla, and becomes erect, bearing the exposed ovules.
I took blue cohosh and rescue remedy as I knew getting uptight wasn't going to help anyone.
Three of four studies show that black cohosh does not affect LH or FSH.
The fourth study, which found an effect of black cohosh on LH levels, was a trial in 110 women with menopausal symptoms.
Herbs that may be helpful blue cohosh is a traditional remedy for lack of menstruation.
The phytoestrogenic herb, Black Cohosh, acts as a tonic that will help to increase libido and reduce feelings of fatigue.
Rooibos, Licorice (root), Black Cohosh, Chaste Berry, and other herbs are included and it has a slight honey flavor added.
If you're an expectant mother nearing or past your due date, you may begin to wonder about inducing labor naturally using black cohosh.
When talking to your healthcare provider about this natural remedy, it can be helpful to understand the basics about this herb and how much black cohosh women take to induce labor.
Black cohosh is a perennial plant that comes from the same family as the buttercup.
Practitioners prescribe black cohosh to control the symptoms of menopause and assist with menstrual cramps and water retention related to menstruation.
Midwives and natural health practitioners sometimes recommend black cohosh to induce labor in women who are near or past their due dates.
Some practitioners believe that black cohosh ripens the cervix and strengthens contractions, leading to the onset of labor.
Always talk to your doctor or midwife before taking black cohosh or any other medication.
If you're considering taking black cohosh to induce labor, check with your midwife or labor and delivery health care provider before following the dosages listed below.
There are risks involved with self-prescribing any herb, vitamin or medicine during pregnancy, so it is important that you take black cohosh only under the advisement of your health care provider.
Health care practitioners recommend adding five drops of black cohosh tincture to a cup of water or tea, and ingesting it once or twice a day.
Beginning in the 38th week, one 500 mg capsule of black cohosh taken three times per day is the recommended dosage.
When your midwife or health care provider has determined it is safe to induce your labor, place 15 drops of black cohosh tincture under your tongue every hour.
The effectiveness and safety of using black cohosh as described above have not been studied.
Using black cohosh before week 37 of pregnancy may result in premature birth, which can be detrimental to your baby.
Never use black cohosh without supervision of your health care provider.
Black cohosh may stimulate uterine contractions, and could result in miscarriage.
People who have hormonally-fed illnesses or conditions such as breast cancer and uterine fibroids should not use black cohosh, because it has not yet been determined what the hormonal effects of this herb are.
Large doses of black cohosh can induce seizure, irregular heartbeat and visual disturbance.
Liver damage has been associated with black cohosh use.
Black cohosh can have side effects including nausea, indigestion, vomiting, headaches, weight gain and low blood pressure.
Black cohosh should not be used in conjunction with, nor confused with, blue cohosh, Cimicifuga foetida, sheng ma, white banberry or bugbane.
Neurological complications in the baby may occur if black cohosh is combined with blue cohosh.
People allergic to aspirin should not take black cohosh, as it contains salicylic acid.
While black cohosh may, indeed, induce labor, it is essential to the safety and health of both you and your baby that you only use black cohosh under careful supervision.
The safety and efficacy of black cohosh have not been proven nor studied.
Learning more about the risks and benefits of natural methods such as black cohosh will help you to make the best decision possible for you and for your baby.
When using any herbal remedy, care must be taken because of side effects and black cohosh side effects are no exception.
If you're considering taking black cohosh, use common sense and caution.
Black cohosh is a perennial herb native to North America.
The Native Americans used black cohosh to treat sore throats, snakebites, and female complaints such as menstrual cramps and hot flashes.
Herbalists have long believed that black cohosh has analgesic (pain relieving) properties as well as anti-inflammatory and anti spasmodic properties.
Today, black cohosh is most often recommended to address the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes.
And while folklore places another uses for black cohosh as an herb to induce labor, it should never be used for this purpose except under the supervision of an herbalist, nurse midwife, or skilled naturopathic physician.
Like any other supplement or herb, black cohosh may produce side effects.
According to the National Institute of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, patients in clinical trials using black cohosh report a low incidence of black cohosh side effects.
Among reported side effects, the four listed above are the least severe and typically went away as soon as use of black cohosh was discontinued.
If you experience any of these side effects, stop using black cohosh immediately.
More serious side effects, however, have been reported, particularly among women who used black cohosh over long periods of time.
Because of this case and several other serious liver problems reported from using black cohosh, the Australian government now requires a warning label on the supplement.
Another very serious side effect of using black cohosh can be seizures.
Seizures have been reported in otherwise healthy women using black cohosh, either alone or with another supplement.
If you suspect that you may have had a seizure, see a doctor immediately and discontinue use of black cohosh supplements.
Women who have had liver disease or liver problems of any kind should not use black cohosh.