Dear Bob Liebert,

I used blue cohosh at 38 wks pregnant with my daughter. I am not sure if that caused my water to break or not, but now I am 37 wks with my 3rd child. I have read that blue cohosh shouldn't be taken because of cardiovacscular problems to mother and infant. What are your thoughts? Do you think it's safe?
- anonymous

Dear Friend,

There are some reports of cardio-vascular complications with mother and/or child with long-term use of Blue Cohosh before labor. There are cardio-active compounds in Blue Cohosh, yet many women have used it in labor with no problems. It must be a cumulative effect in sensitive individuals. There really is no reason to use any labor promoting herbs before labor, and even then only when labor has stalled. Otherwise it is a natural process! Most women could do Ok with say, 10 drop doses for 2 weeks before due date, but in general the only herbs I recommend pre-labor if someone insists on taking something, would be tonics like Raspberry Leaf and Squaw Vine. Good Luck!

Yours in healing,
Bob Liebert, herbalist

You can buy these herbs and many more in the Formula and Single Herb sections of the Teeter Creek Herb website. Herbs that don't appear in the Formula or Single Herb lists can usually be requested in the "Message" section at the bottom of the order page.

The information expressed is the personal observations of Herbalist Bob Liebert based on his personal experience and his studies of folk and traditional herbalism. These observations are not meant to be a substitute for qualified medical diagnosis and treatment. Uses of many of the herbs have not been scientifically verified.