Herbs
During Pregnancy
Most herbs can be taken throughout
pregnancy with no ill effects. Many herbs are helpful during pregnancy,
especially just before childbirth. Helpful herbs would include those to
alleviate nausea, morning sickness, pain, and the like. However, there are
some herbs that should be used cautiously
during pregnancy, and other herbs that should be completely
avoided during pregnancy. Be sure to
read our Product Cautions
page for additional information.
The following herbs can be used safely
during pregnancy. Use these herbs in the gentlest way as hot relaxing teas,
capsules or tinctures.
Bilberry: will fortify vein and capillary support, aids in kidney function
and is a mild diuretic for bloating.
Blue Cohosh: stops and eliminates false labor pains; for final weeks of
pregnancy, to ease and/or induce labor.
Burdock Root: helps prevent water retention and jaundice in the baby.
Chamomile: aids digestive and bowel problems and relaxes for good sleep.
Echinacea: aids the immune system to help prevent colds, flu and infections.
Ginger Root: excellent for morning sickness.
Lobelia: helps to relax the mother during delivery and helps speed up the
delivery of the placenta.
Nettles: will guard against excessive bleeding as it has vitamin K in it;
it will improve kidney function and help prevent hemorrhoids.
Peppermint: after the first trimester, may be used to help digestion, soothe
the stomach and overcome nausea. It is an over-all body strengthener and
cleanser.
Red Raspberry: it is an all-around excellent herb to use for pregnancy. It is a
uterine tonic, anti-abortive, and helps prevent infection. Aids in
preventing cramps and anemia. Prevents excessive bleeding during and after
labor and will facilitate the birth process by stimulating contractions.
Wild Yam: for pregnancy pain, nausea or cramping and will lessen
miscarriage.
Yellow Dock: aids in iron assimilation and will help to prevent infant
jaundice.
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Herbs to be Limited
During Pregnancy
Many herbalists strongly recommend that some herbs NOT be
taken during pregnancy. The herbs listed below should not be taken except by
the recommendation of your herbalist and then only in combinations.
Be sure to read our
Product Cautions page for additional information.
Black Cohosh: use only the final
weeks of pregnancy; will ease and/or induce labor.
False Unicorn: use only the
final weeks of pregnancy; will ease and/or induce labor.
Golden Seal: large amounts can
cause uterine contractions.
Pennyroyal: this herb can cause
abortion; may be used in final weeks.
NOTE: The following herbs are
LAXATIVE in nature and should be used sparingly or in combinations.
- Aloe Vera
- Barberry
- Buckthorn
- Cascara Sagrada
- Mandrake
- Rhubarb
- Senna
- Strong laxatives should be used with discretion
as they cause stomach and intestinal cramping
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Herbs to be Avoided
During Pregnancy
The following herbs should not be used
during pregnancy. Be sure to read our
Product Cautions page
for additional information.
Angelica: can cause uterine
contractions.
Cinchona: Cinchona and its
alkaloids should be avoided in pregnancies because of their oxytocic
effects.
Coffee: avoid caffeine, as it
irritates the uterus; excessive amounts in some sensitive individuals can
cause premature birth or miscarriage.
Eucalyptus oil: This oil should
be avoided during pregnancy as it is difficult to eliminate through the
kidneys.
Feverfew: Has been shown to stimulate menses in some women, and
may therefore precipitate miscarriage.
Juniper: a too-strong
vasodilating, diuretic effect.
Lovage: causes uterine
contractions.
Ma Huang (Ephedra): This herb
should be avoided during pregnancy as it has too strong of an antihistamine
effect; also raises pulse rate and blood pressure.
Male Fern: too strong a
vermifuge.
Mistletoe: can cause uterine
contractions.
Mugwort: stimulates uterine
contractions and can be toxic in large doses.
Pennyroyal: can cause abortion
of the unborn child.
Poke root: This herb should be
avoided during pregnancy as it is a powerful emetic.
Rue: can cause abortion.
Shepherds Purse: too astringent;
may be used for after-birth bleeding.
Tansy: can cause uterine
contractions.
Wild Ginger: an emmenagogue that
causes uterine contractions.
Wormwood: stimulates uterine
contractions and can be toxic in large doses.
Yarrow: a strong astringent and
mild abortifacient (may cause abortion of the unborn child).
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Source: Ritchason, Jack.
The Little Herb Encyclopedia. Pleasant Grove, Utah, Woodland Health
Books, 1995, pages 369-371.
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