Caulophyllum: Historical use of Caulophyllum in childbirth

by Paul Bergner

Medical Herbalism 12(1):13

Smith, 1813

Partus preparator

“Constant use of tea 2-3 weeks prior to parturition” attributed to Native women.

Colby, 1846

Partus preparator

1-6 grams per day as decoction, in 2-3 doses as component of Mother’s Cordial. With Mitchella, Viburnum, Chamalirium. Decoction.

Williams, 1850?

Stalled labor

Unspecified dose

Gunn, 1861

Partus preparator

8 grams per day decocted in 2 doses.

Cook, 1869

Not alone in childbirth

6-8 grams daily as decoction, in 3 doses. “Rarely used in powder” mostly in decoction.

Partus preparator

1-6 grams per day as decoction, in 2-3 doses.    As component of Mother’s Cordial. With Mitchella, Viburnum, Chamalirium.

Stalled labor

2-2.7 grams as decoction per half hour, with Cyprepedium, Trillium, Myrica.

Hale, 1878

Partus preparator

Homeopahtic dilutions of several drops of the tincture for a few weeks

Ellingwood, 1919

Partus preparator

5-10 drops fluid extract

Stalled labor

Same

Felter, Lloyd, 1898

Not specific as partus preparator

1-3 grams every 3-4 hours as decoction. 3-10 Drops Specific Caulophyllum (a concentrated pharmaceutical extract)

Felter, 1922

Partus preparator

6-12 grams per day as decoction, in 3 doses, as decoction, for a few weeks before birth, as component of Mother’s Cordial. With Mitchella, Viburnum, Chamalirium.

Grieve, 1931

Stalled labor

3.5- 7 grams root as decoction or 130-325 mg of powder.

Mausert, 1932

Emmenagogue

1.5-2.3 grams/day as decoction, as component of larger formula,

Lust, 1974

Stalled labor

1.3 grams as decoction each 2-3 hours     “only under medical supervision”

Shook, 1978

Stalled labor

1.3-1.7 grams as decoction.

Priest, Priest, 1982

Stalled labor

Unspecified dose of tincture.

Mitchell, 1983

Stalled labor

30 drops tincture in two cups of water sipped throughout the day.

Weed, 1985

Partus preparator

5-10 drops tincture twice daily, with an equal amount of black cohosh, taken alone “Can cause precipitous labor”

Stalled labor

3-8 drop doses per half hour. “If fetal heart tones are monitored, there may be noticeable elevation as the blue cohosh starts to work”

Wren, 1988

Ambiguous references on childbirth.

0.3-2 g powder

Mills, 1991

Stalled labor

0.6-3 g powder “Probably unsafe to take in pregnancy until labor has commenced”
  Copyright 2001 Paul Bergner




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