Everything Herbal - Main Page - PS-Survival.com

Ask the Herbalist_questions on Pregnancy/Fertility/Nursing
BLUE COHOSH TO INDUCE LABOR
QUESTION: I am going to induce labor next week and I was trying to do it at home first. I got some blue and black
cohosh but I am unsure of how much to take. Can you please help me? I have the pills not the tea.
ANSWER: Congratulations on your blessed event...
First I will say that there is not enough information in your question for me to give a good answer. Are you late, are
you under the care of a MD or midwife, do you want to deliver at home...many more? Do not self medicate...seek
professional advice.
I am not sure why you are inducing labor yourself most mothers for thousands of years have entered the delivery
phase of their pregnancy without the use of pharmaceuticals or herbal medicines, Inducing labor should be managed
by a professional healthcare practitioner normally post 41st week. If this is the case you should see your, ob-gyn or
midwife immediately.
To simply answer your question on the herbs mentioned:
Although, Blue Cohosh Latin Name: Caulophyllum thalictroides has been used for millenniums by Native Americans
for the delivery of late babies; there has been some concern about the use of Blue Cohosh recently in the medical
community, with two cases of post delivery distress of the baby's heart. Although a direct and clear connection to Blue
Cohosh has not been made and 2 cases out of the millions of babies delivered is not a large sample size; any concern
should be your concern for your unborn child. The FDA has listed one of the constituents in Blue Cohosh, called
anagyrine as tetragenic to humans especially for fetuses or unborn children. Many questions have to be asked about
this constituent, how much is in the Blue Cohosh pills you bought, how much is assimilated into the mother's blood
stream when the pills, tea or tincture is consumed, how much can pass the placental barrier to the unborn child? My
suggestion as stated above that you should be able to proceed into the delivery phase of your pregnancy normally, I
restate here, if you are in your 41st week seek professional advice on how to induce.
Black Cohosh, Latin Name: Cimicifuga racemosa is not related to the plant Blue Cohosh at all, although Blue and
Black Cohosh have some similar actions on the female body. It can be used as a partus preparator in the last weeks
of pregnancy where previous deliveries have been late. It is best used as a fresh extract of the root when preparing an
alcohol extract.
My normal suggestion on dosing is to follow manufacturer's recommendations they know their product.
If none are given, the following can be used as a suggested starting point, but I will state again seek professional
healthcare advice do not self medicate at this phase in your pregnancy.
Tea: 1/2 teaspoon of dried root to 8 oz water boil for 15 minutes then let Steep 45 minutes drink 4 oz Three Times a
Day
Tincture / Alcohol Extract: A fresh extract of root is best take 20 - 30 drops 3 or 4 times a day.
My most vehement advice is to seek professional advice and help immediately!! I cannot say it any plainer or stronger.
The most important phase of this 9 months of work is about to begin, make sure the child is the most important
thought in your mind. Be damned with natural or modern or anything else, deliver a happy healthy child.
ANSWERS FROM DAVID BRILL:
TAKING HERBS WHILE PREGNANT
QUESTION: I hope you can help. I had been drinking some juice that I did not know
contained ginko biloba and american and siberian ginseng. I am 24 weeks
pregnant. What is the potential risk to my baby? Or side effects ?
ANSWER: Most food and drink products on the market do not put much of any actual herbs in their products, it is
usually put on the label for the advertising and marketing appeal, not medicinal value. I would suggest if you have not
been consuming this product like it was water that the risks are low and side effects negligible or non existent.
The other thing I would note is you are out of the first trimester which is the most critical period during pregnancy.
Ginkgo is used to increase circulation to peripheral and cerebral areas. For some this extra blood to the head can
cause headaches. For most it helps with circulation problems associated with old age, diabetes, Raynauds syndrome
and drug induced impotence and lack of libido.
Of the Ginseng's; American and Siberian are less strong than the true Chinese Ginseng. The Ginsengs are
considered tonics and are used for the weak and depleted, elderly and to increase sports performance. In most cases
they help to balance body functions such as blood sugar and blood pressure. They are considered adaptogens which
are used to counteract stress. In extremis Chinese Ginseng can increase blood pressure, especially for Type A
personalities, but for most people if you do not have a problem these herbs usually don't do anything. In China they
are eaten in foods added to soups and stews or eaten by themselves.
Side effects are minimal for both Ginkgo and Ginseng.
The general precaution you will see with these herbs and many others is that safe levels have not been established for
pregnancy, children and the elderly. But again this is a general note.
http://www.herbnet.com/ask%20the%20herbalist/as...erbalist_questions%20on%20Pregnancy_Nursing.htm (5 of 17) [5/17/2004 9:08:03 AM]