Blue Cohosh

overall appearance

Blue cohosh is a perennial woodland herb growing 1-3 feet tall with distinctive blue-purple stems and compound leaves. The plant has an elegant, upright growth habit.

roots

The rhizome is thick, knotted, and woody with numerous fibrous roots. Fresh rhizomes are yellowish-brown externally and whitish internally, becoming darker with age.

stem

Stems are smooth, erect, and often purplish or blue-tinted, especially when young. The stem is typically unbranched and hollow.

leaves

Large, compound leaves are divided into three leaflets, each further divided into 2-3 lobes. Leaves are blue-green with a waxy appearance and prominent veining.

flowers

Small, star-shaped flowers appear in terminal clusters in early spring before leaves fully develop. Flowers are yellow-green to purple-brown with 6 petals.

fruits/seeds

Distinctive bright blue, berry-like seeds develop in late summer. The seeds are exposed when the thin pericarp ruptures, creating the plant's characteristic blue "berries."

1 tsp dried root per cup water, steep 10-15 minutes

Simmer 1 oz root in 1 pint water for 20 minutes

1:5 ratio in 50% alcohol, 10-30 drops 2-3 times daily

Powdered root mixed with water for external application

Combined with other herbs for respiratory conditions