COMMON NAMES. Blue Cohosh, Squaw Root, etc.
    MEDICINAL PART. The root.
    Description. -- This is a smooth, glaucous plant, purple when young, with a high, round stem, one to three feet high. Leaves biternate or triternate, leaflets oval, petiolate, pale beneath, and from two to three inches long. The flowers appear in May or June.
    History. -- It is a handsome perennial plant, growing in all parts of the United States, near running streams, and in low, moist, rich grounds; also in swamps and on islands. The seeds, which ripen in August, make a decoction which closely resembles coffee. The berries are dry and rather mawkish. Its active principle is Caulophyllin.
    Properties and Uses. -- It is principally used as an emmenagogue, parturient, and antispasmodic. It also possesses diuretic, diaphoretic, and anthelmintic properties. It is employed in rheumatism, colic, cramps, hiccough, epilepsy, hysteria, uterine inflammation, etc. It is a valuable remedy in all chronic uterine diseases, but should be given in combination with such other remedies as the case requires.
    Dose. -- Of the decoction, from two to four fluid ounces, three or four times a day.