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Woman's root

Blue cohosh is a plant whose root is used to make medicine. Women's root is used to stimulate the uterus and induce labor, to induce menstruation, for muscle spasms, as a laxative and to treat colic, sore throats, cramps, hiccups, hysteria, inflammation of the uterus and joint problems. In food, the roasted seeds of the lady's root are used as a coffee substitute.

How does women's root work?

It is believed that women's root may have similar effects to the female hormone oestrogen. It may also constrict the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart, which can reduce the oxygen supply to the heart.

How effective is lady's wort?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of women's root for constipation, stomach cramps, sore throat, hiccups and seizures, as well as for inducing labor and menstruation. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of women's root in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Women's root is not safe and harmless for adults and children. It can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, chest pain, increased blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels and other serious side effects.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: It is not safe to use lady' s wort during pregnancy. Some of the chemicals contained in lady's wort may cause birth defects. If taken during the last months of pregnancy, women's wort can cause serious heart problems in newborns. Many midwives still use gynaecium to facilitate childbirth, as gynaecium causes contractions of the uterus. However, this is a dangerous practice that should be avoided.

Heart disease: There are concerns that gyno root may aggravate certain heart problems such as chest pain, angina and high blood pressure. There is evidence that lady's wort may constrict blood vessels in the heart and worsen the supply of oxygen to the heart. In addition to this, lady's wort could increase blood pressure. For all these reasons, people who suffer from heart problems should not use lady's wort.

Diabetes: There are concerns that lady's wort may aggravate diabetes. Lady's wort can increase blood sugar levels in diabetics. Diarrhea: Lady's wort may aggravate the symptoms of diarrhea.

Hormone-sensitive diseases such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometriosis: Lady's wort may have a similar effect to estrogen. For this reason, women's root should not be used if you suffer from a disease that can be aggravated by oestrogen.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining women's root with the following medications:

Diabetes medications

Lady'swort may increase blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar levels. By increasing blood glucose levels, lady's wort could reduce the effectiveness of diabetes medication. For this reason, blood glucose levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Medication for high blood pressure

Lady's wort appears to increase blood pressure. By increasing blood pressure, lady's wort could reduce the effectiveness of medications used to treat high blood pressure.

Nicotine

Lady'swort contains chemicals that act similarly to nicotine. Taking lady's wort in combination with nicotine could increase the effects and side effects of nicotine.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of women's root depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for lady's wort. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Baillie N, Rasmussen P. Black and blue cohosh in labor. N Z Med J 1997;110:20-1.
  2. Eagon PK, Elm MS, Hunter DS, et al. Medicinal herbs: modulation of estrogen action. Era of Hope Mtg, Dept Defense; Breast Cancer Res Prog, Atlanta, GA 2000;Jun 8-11.
  3. Edmunds J. Blue cohosh and newborn myocardial infarction? Midwifery Today Int Midwife 1999;52:34-5.
  4. Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp, 1999.
  5. Finkel RS, Zarlengo KM. Blue cohosh and perinatal stroke. N Engl J Med 2004;351:302-3.
  6. Gunn TR, Wright IM. The use of black and blue cohosh in labor. N Z Med J 1996;109:410-1.
  7. Irikura B, Kennelly E. American Health Consultants. Blue cohosh: a word of caution. 1999. available at: www.ahcpub.com/ahc_root_html/hot/archive/atwh1099.html
  8. Jones TK, Lawson BM. Profound neonatal congestive heart failure caused by maternal consumption of blue cohosh herbal medication. J Pediatr 1998;132:550-2.
  9. McFarlin BL, Gibson MH, O'Rear J, Harman P. A national survey of herbal preparation use by nurse-midwives for labor stimulation. Review of the literature and recommendations for practice. J Nurse Midwifery 1999;44:205-16.
  10. Wright IM. Neonatal effects of maternal consumption of blue cohosh. J Pediatr 1999;134:384-5.