Caulophyllum

A North American woodland plant of the barberry family, traditionally used in homoeopathy for the womb, crampy period pains and aching small joints.

Caulophyllum thalictroides, blue cohosh, is a perennial of eastern North American woodlands in the barberry family. It has bluish-green, finely divided leaves and dark blue, berry-like seeds. The raw plant is poisonous; homoeopathy uses it only in specially prepared form, made from the root.

Homoeopaths regard it as a remedy for women, traditionally associated with weak tone of the womb, crampy, spasmodic period pains that fly from place to place, and childbirth. It also has a special link with the small joints, with drawing, shifting pains and stiffness in the fingers, toes, wrists and ankles.

• Period cramps
• Womb tone
• Small-joint pains
• Stiff fingers and wrists