This perennial herb, also known as Squaw Root, grows thoughout North America. Blue Cohish has blue berry-like fruits and bluish-green foliage.

During the nineteenth century it was widely used by midwives to induce labor, and to treat menstrual cramps in women.

Parts used: Rhizome, root. It's best if you collect it at the end of the growing season (fall) as that is when they are richest in natural chemicals.

Blue Cohosh is a potential abortfactent and should be avoided, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. However it is an excellent labor augmentation herb for use when labor is happening, but seems too slow.