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Nutritional Supplement

Blue Cohosh

Side Effects

Large amounts of blue cohosh can cause nausea, headaches, and high blood pressure. Blue cohosh should only be used under medical supervision and in limited amounts. Using blue cohosh during pregnancy has been brought into question by reports of an infant developing a stroke and another infant being born with congestive heart failure.5,6 Safety studies need to be completed to determine whether blue cohosh is safe to use during pregnancy.

References

1. Foster S. Herbal Renaissance. Salt Lake City: Gibbs-Smith Publisher, 1993, 48-50.

2. Jones TK, Lawson BM. Profound neonatal congestive heart failure caused by maternal consumption of blue cohosh herbal medication. J Pediatr 1998;132:550-2.

3. Jones TK, Lawson BM. Profound neonatal congestive heart failure caused by maternal consumption of blue cohosh herbal medication. J Pediatr 1998;132:550-2.

4. Castleman M. The Healing Herbs. New York: Bantam Books, 1991, 120-3.

5. Finkel RS, Zarlengo KM. Blue cohosh and perinatal stroke. N Engl J Med 2004 351:302-3.

6. Jones TK, Lawson BM. Profound neonatal congestive heart failure caused by maternal consumption of blue cohosh herbal medication. J Pediatr 1998;132:550-2.

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.