Botanical: Caulophyllum thalictroides
Family: Berberidaceae (barberry)
Other common names: Papoose Root, Blueberry Root, Blue Ginseng, Blue Cohosh, Yellow Ginseng, Beech Drops

Squaw Root is an important "women's herb" that was introduced to early American settlers by Native Americans to ease childbirth, menstrual problems, and pelvic inflammation. Modern herbalists still use it to treat women's health problems, as well as bronchitis and rheumatism.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History:
Squaw Root is an acrid, bitter, warming, native American perennial. Reaching between one and three feet in height, this handsome plant grows wild in many parts of North America in rich, moist soil in shade and near running streams and around swamps. It is so bitter that animals will not eat it when grazing. Squaw Root was commonly used by the Native American tribes to alleviate cramps, ease menstrual problems, and facilitate childbirth. The Cherokee, Chippewa, and Iroquois used it for delayed delivery and to promote menstruation. Early settlers learned of the herb's beneficial properties from the Native Americans and used it for promoting labor and easing the pain of childbirth, so that prolonged labor and exhaustion would be diminished. The common use of the herb for childbirth and labor gave rise to several of its names, i.e., Papoose Root and Squaw Root, and its popular use in herbal medicine led to the herb's inclusion in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia (1882-1905). Some of Squaw Root's constituents include beta-carotene, caulophyllin (its active principle), saponin, gum, starch, soluble resin, vital minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, silicon, and phosphorus, which help to alkalinize the blood and urine), B-vitamins and vitamin C. The roots are used in herbal medicine.

Beneficial Uses:
For hundreds of years Squaw Root has been used primarily to help women, particularly in the area of childbirth. The herb stimulates uterine contractions and induces and promotes the onset of labor when delivery is due or in cases of delayed labor. It also helps in cases of prolonged labor by relaxing the uterus and increasing cervical dilation for easier delivery, less pain and exhaustion and, thus, has earned the nickname, "A Woman's Best Friend." In contrast, Squaw Root will also stop false labor pains.

As an effective diuretic, Squaw Root induces and increases the flow of urine and will help eliminate excess water in the system. The herb also promotes heavy perspiration, which will help eliminate toxins through the skin.

As a mild expectorant, Squaw Root is still used today by herbalists to reduce congestion and help treat bronchitis.

Squaw Root is a tonic that has been known to calm and improve nervous disorders (it has been used to treat hysteria). As an antispasmodic, the herb affects the whole system, thereby having an additional effect on the nervous system. Squaw Root has been used to relieve muscle cramps, spasms, and some epileptic seizures, hiccough (hiccup) and whooping cough.

In further promoting women's good health, Squaw Root is believed to have beneficial effects on uterine ailments, including leukorrhea (vaginal discharge) and vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina). It is also thought to help pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, erratic menstruation, and retained placenta. In addition, the herb is also believed to relieve ovarian neuralgia.

Squaw Root is an anti-inflammatory that helps to reduce the inflammation of rheumatism, arthritis and gout.

Squaw Root is considered an emmenogogue, an agent that is used to encourage menstruation and regulate its flow.

An old use for Squaw Root was as an effective anthelmintic, a medicine that destroys or expels worms that inhabit the intestinal canal. An alkaloid in Squaw Root, methylcytisine, appears to stimulate intestinal activity and may, thus, be responsible for this purging action.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, one (1) to two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
This herb should be used with caution; it can be quite irritating to the mucous membranes and should be used only under the supervision of a physician. Pregnant women should not use this herb until ready to deliver, as it stimulates contractions. Squaw Root should not be taken for an indefinite period of time (a week at a time is recommended) and should be avoided by patients with hypertension and heart disease.

Capsule Size:
We use only 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" capsules for all of our encapsulated products. (click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs of powdered herb material.

• Squaw Root (sold as Blue Cohosh)- Botanical Extract 10:1 -- Approximately 600 mgs each