Tinkturenpresse

Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. - syn.Leontice thalictroides L. - Berberidaceae
blue cohosh, squaw root, papoose root, blueberry root, Frauenwurz, Blauer Hahnenfuss, Löwenblatt

Perennial rhizomatous herb, up to 70cm high, native to the humid forests of eastern North America; flowers small, yellow-green to violet, 1cm across; fruits blue berry-like; seeds deep blue.

„The plant contains the alkaloids N-methylcytisine, baptifoline, anagyrine and magnoflorine. Some of the alkaloids, including the quinolizidine alkaloid anagyrine, are toxic to range animals and have been implicated as teratogens in higher animals. Since the traditional use of the herb involves administration to women of reproductive age to treat menstrual cramps, and to pregnant women in the last 3-4 weeks of pregnancy to ease parturition, therefore the safety of these products to the fetus is of concern. Three of these alkaloids have been determined in authentic blue cohosh and several dietary supplements. Levels found were: 5-850 ppm for N-methylcytisine, 2-390 ppm for anagyrine, and 9-900 ppm for baptifoline. The lower alkaloid concentrations were found in products containing liquid extracts.“„
[Gas chromatographic determination of toxic quinolizidine alkaloids in blue cohosh Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx., Betz, J.M., Andrzejewski, D., Troy, A., Casey, R.E., Obermeyer, W.R., Page, S.W., Woldemariam, T.Z., Phytochemical Analysis, 9(5), 1998, 232-236]

„A newborn infant whose mother ingested an herbal medication, blue cohosh, to promote uterine contractions presented with acute myocardial infarction associated with profound congestive heart failure and shock. The infant remained critically ill for several weeks, although he eventually recovered. Other causes of myocardial infarction were carefully excluded. Blue cohosh, Caulophyllum thalictroides, contains vasoactive glycosides and an alkaloid known to produce toxic effects on the myocardium of laboratory animals.“
[Profound neonatal congestive heart failure caused by maternal consumption of blue cohosh herbal medication., Jones, T.K., Lawson, B.M., The Journal of pediatrics, 132(3), 1998, 550-552]

Blue cohosh rhizomes and roots contain two kinds of triterpene saponins with caulosapogenin and hederagenin as aglycones. Sugar parts are made of α-L-arabinose, β-D-glucose, and α-L-rhamnose.
[Characterization of the triterpene saponins of the roots and rhizomes of blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)., Jhoo, J.W., Sang, S., He, K., Cheng, X., Zhu, N., Stark, R.E., Ho, C.T., Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 49(12), 2001, 5969-5974] http://www.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/resgroup/uploaded/Rresepubl1091814752_jf010814e.pdf

„A 21-y-old female developed tachycardia, diaphoresis, abdominal pain, vomiting and muscle weakness and fasciculations after using blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) in an attempt to induce an abortion. These symptoms are consistent with nicotinic toxicity and probably resulted from methylcytisine known present in blue cohosh. The patient's symptoms resolved over 24 h and she was discharged. Whether successful or not, the use of natural agents to induce abortion is frequently associated with adverse effects in the mother or fetus. Clinicians should recognize the potential toxicity of these agents.“
[Nicotinic toxicity from tincture of blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) used as an abortifacient., Rao, R.B., Hoffman, R.S., Veterinary and human toxicology, 44(4), 2002, 221-222]

„Blue cohosh is also referred to as “papoose root” or “squaw root”, which reflects the use of this herbal medicine by Native American women who brewed blue cohosh as a tea to relieve menstrual cramps and to ease the pains associated with childbirth… Based on the available scientific information, blue cohosh should 1) be used with extreme caution during pregnancy, 2) be used only under medical professional supervision and 3) not be available to the public as an over-the-counter product.“
[Safety and efficacy of blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) during pregnancy and lactation., Dugoua, J.J., Perri, D., Seely, D., Mills, E., Koren, G., Can J Clin Pharmacol, 15(1), 2008, 66-73] http://www.libertyclinic.com/Books_image/dugoua-safety-efficacy-blue-cohosh.pdf

„Dietary supplements containing dried roots or extracts of the roots and/or rhizomes of blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) are widely available. This botanical has a long history of use by Native Americans and its use continues to the present day. The primary constituents of blue cohosh are its alkaloids and saponins. The structures of the alkaloids magnoflorine, baptifoline, anagyrine, and N-methylcytisine have been known for many years. The last 10 years have seen a great increase in isolation and identification of the large number of saponins present in blue cohosh. Important developments in nuclear magnetic resonance techniques have contributed substantially to the increase in elucidation of the structures of the complex saponins. Several authors have described quantitative methods for both the alkaloids and saponins in blue cohosh. Such methods have made it possible to quantify these constituents in dietary supplements containing this botanical ingredient. Concentrations of both alkaloids and saponins vary substantially in dietary supplements of blue cohosh. The nicotinic alkaloid, N-methylcytisine, a potent toxicant, has been found in all dietary supplements of blue cohosh analyzed. The teratogenic alkaloid anagyrine has been found in some but not all dietary supplements.“
[Primary constituents of blue cohosh: quantification in dietary supplements and potential for toxicity., Rader, J.I., Pawar, R.S., Analytical and Bioanalytical chemistry, 405(13), 2013, 4409-4417]

Millspaugh,C.F., American medicinal plants, vol.1 t.16 (1892)
http://plantgenera.org/species.php?id_species=214107