Herbs in Late Pregnancy
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Name not given
Posted on: February 24, 1999

I am currently 38 weeks pregnant. My midwife advised me to take black cohosh, blue cohosh, and evening primrose oil tablets to encourage natural induction of labor.Have you ever heard of this taking place? Being this far in pregnancy could it result in miscarriage? Where do I purchase blue cohosh pills?

Amanda McQuade Crawford in "Herbal Remedies for Women" (Prima Publishing) states that:

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) can be used during the last six weeks of pregnancy only if needed for threatened miscarriage, and is also used during "the last two to four weeks of pregnancy to treat false labor pains, cramping or nervousness; its relaxing nervine properties may help a woman save energy for delivery. The dose is a half teaspoon of tincture diluted in a small amount of water, herb tea or juice, taken every hour as needed." The frequency of your dosage is according to the instructions from your midwife.

Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) may be used during the last two to four weeks only if needed. "It acts as an antispasmodic, oxytocic (stimulates uterine contractions), and tonic to the womb and fallopian tubes. Use fifteen drops of tincture in water or under the tongue after labor has begun - IF labor is prolonged and IF the mother is fatigued - for exhaustion and pain."

Evening Primrose Oil is recommended after delivery to avoid depression. The recommended dosage is two 500 mg capsules twice a day for six to eight weeks.

These herbs should be available in health food stores or as recommended by your midwife.

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