How Much Black Cohosh Do I Take to Induce
Labor

As expectant mothers begin to move late into their pregnancies, they may begin to wonder about things like how much black cohosh do I take to induce labor?

Before asking, "How much black cohosh do I take to induce labor," it is best to learn a bit more about this herb and its effects on expectation mothers.

Black cohosh is a perennial plant that comes from the same family as the buttercup. It grows in central and eastern United States.

Black cohosh has been used for centuries, notably in the Native American culture, as a remedy for a number of female health conditions including:

• Menstrual cramps
• Hot flashes
• Arthritis
• Sore throats
• Muscle aches and pains
• Indigestion
• Cough
• Repelling insects (applied topically)
• Treating snake bites (applied topically)

Black cohosh is traditionally used today in natural medicine to control the symptoms of menopause, which can include night sweats and hot flashes, mood disorders, and vaginal dryness. It is also often used by natural health practitioners to assist with menstrual cramps and water retention related to menstruation.

Midwives and natural health practitioners often recommend black cohosh to induce labor in women who are near or past their due dates. It is believed that black cohosh ripens the cervix and then strengthens contractions, leading to the onset of labor.

Are you still wondering, "How much black cohosh do I take to induce labor?" It is an ongoing process. Before following the dosages of black cohosh listed below, it is essential that you check with your midwife or labor and delivery health care provider. There are risks involved with self-prescribing any herb, vitamin or medicine during pregnancy, so it is important that you take black cohosh only under the advisement of your health care provider.

Health care practitioners recommend adding five drops of black cohosh tincture to a cup of water or tea, and ingesting it once or twice a day. This should be done after 37 weeks of gestation, not before. If there have been no cervical changes after a week, increase the tincture to ten drops and drink two cups a day. Beginning in the 38th week, one 500 mg capsule of black cohosh taken three times per day is the recommended dosage.

When your midwife or health care provider has determined that you are safe to induce your labor, place 15 drops of black cohosh tincture under your tongue every hour.

• The effectiveness and safety of using black cohosh as described above has not been studied. There may be risks to mother and child by following the above protocol.
• Using black cohosh before week 37 of pregnancy may result in premature birth, which can be detrimental to your baby.
• Never use black cohosh without supervision of your health care provider.
• Black cohosh may stimulate uterine contractions, and could result in miscarriage.
• People who have hormonally-fed illnesses or conditions such as breast cancer and uterine fibroids should not use black cohosh, because it has not yet been determined what the hormonal effects of this herb are.
• Large doses of black cohosh can induce seizure, irregular heartbeat and visual disturbance.
• Liver damage has been associated with black cohosh use.
• Black cohosh can have side effects including nausea, indigestion, vomiting, headaches, weight gain and low blood pressure.
• Black cohosh should not be used in conjunction with – nor confused with – blue cohosh, Cimicifuga foetida, sheng ma, white banberry or bugbane.
• Neurological complications in the baby may occur of black cohosh is combined with blue cohosh.
• People allergic to aspirin should not take black cohosh, as it contains salicylic acid.

While black cohosh may, indeed, induce labor, it is essential to the safety and health of both you and your baby that you only use black cohosh under careful supervision. The safety and efficacy of black cohosh has not been proven nor studied.

While it may seem like a wonderful idea to induce your labor as you get closer toward your baby’s birth day, the body has its own timing that best serves the health of your baby. A decision to induce labor – in whatever manner is chosen – is one that needs to be discussed with a qualified health care provider.

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