Herbs to avoid while pregnancy
The prevalence of the herbal medicines use is on the rise across the world, especially amongst pregnant women.
Literature published up to December 2012 showed the prevalence of herbal medicine use varied between 22.3–82.3%, implying a rising trend in the utilization of herbal medicine during pregnancy. The most common herbs used were peppermint, ginger, thyme, chamomile, sage, aniseed, fenugreek, and green tea. The most common reasons for use included the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and cold and flu symptoms. The majority of women used these products during their first trimester, and did not reveal this information to their physician. Most women were advised by family and friends to use herbal medicines and believed they were more effective and had fewer side effects than modern medicine especially during pregnancy. In conclusion, the use of herbal medicine is prevalent among pregnant women in the Middle Eastern region and healthcare providers need to seek information pertaining to their use.
Is it really safe to consume without knowing effects??
The answer is ‘NO’.
Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy
1. Achillea millefolium
Milenrama, Yarrow
Stems, leaves, and flowers
May induce uterine contractions.
2. Actaea racemosa
Cohosh negro, Black cohosh
Root
May induce uterine contractions.
3. Adiantum capillus-veneris
Maidenhair fern, Culantrilllo de pozo
Fronds (leaves)
May induce uterine contractions
4. Aloe vera
Sábila, zábila, Aloe, babosa
Gel and latex
Gel used topically is considered safe. Avoid ingesting whole leaf preparations as they may induce uterine contractions.
5. Alchemilla, xanthochlora
Lady’s mantle
Leaves
May induce uterine contractions
6. Angelica archangelica
Angélica
Root
May induce uterine contractions.
7. Angelica sinensis
Angélica china, Dong Quai, Dang gui, Chinese angelica
Root
May induce uterine contractions.
8.Anthemis nobilis
Manzanilla romana, Roman chamomile
Flowers
May induce uterine contractions.
9. Artemisia spp.
Estafiate, Istafiate, Ajenjo, Wormwood
Leaves and stems
Various species of wormwood contain potentially neurotoxic ingredient known as thujone.
10. Capsella bursa-pastoris
Shepherd’s purse, Bolsa de pastor
Leaves, stems and flowers
May induce uterine contractions.
11. Cascara sagrada
Cáscara sagrada, Sacred bark
Tree bark
May induce uterine contractions.
12. Caulophyllum thalictroides
Cohosh azul, Blue cohosh, squaw root
Root
May be toxic to fetus and induce uterine contractions.
13. Centella asiatica
Gotu kola, Centela
Steams, leaves
May induce uterine contractions.
14. Cinnamomum cassia
Canelón, Cassia
Tree bark
Occasional use as a condiment considered safe. Taken as tea may induce uterine contractions.
15. Claviceps purpurea
Ergot, Cornezuelo del centeno
Grows in various species of infected cereal grains (rare in industrialized countries)
May induce uterine contractions.
16. Cinnamomum verum
Canela, Cinnamon, true cinnamon
Tree bark
Occasional use as a condiment considered safe. Taken as tea may induce uterine contractions.
17. Datura spp
Estramonio, toloache Jimsonweed, stramonium, moonflower
Planta entera
Various species of Datura are toxic and hallucinogenic. Avoid use.
18. Dioscorea villosa
Wild yam, Cabeza de negro
Root and rhizomes
Uterine stimulant
19. Dryopteris filix-mas
Male fern, Helecho macho, Dentabrón
Root
May induce uterine contractions.
20. Dysphania spp
Wormseed, Mexican tea, Epazote, Paico
Leaves and stems
Occasional use as a condiment considered safe. Contains a toxic compound known as ascaridol; may induce uterine contractions. Avoid ingesting oil, as it is neurotoxic.
21. Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel, Hinojo
High doses should be avoided, as they may induce uterine contractions
22. Harpagophytum procumbens
Devil’s claw, Garra del diablo
Root
May induce uterine contractions
23. Humulus lupulus
Lúpulo, Hops
Fruits
May induce uterine contractions.
24. Hydrastis canadensis
Sello dorado, Golden Seal
Root
May induce uterine contractions.
25. Hypericum perforatum
Hierba de San Juan, corazoncillo, hipérico, St. John´s Wort
Flowers, Steams
May induce uterine contractions.
26. Hypericum perforatum
Hierba de San Juan, corazoncillo, hipérico, St. John´s Wort
Flowers, Steams
May induce uterine contractions.
27. Juniperus spp.
Sabino, Juniper berry
Berry
May induce uterine contractions.
28. Leonorus cardiaca
Motherwort, Agripalma
Stem, leaves, and flowers
May induce uterine contractions.
29. Lycopus virginicus
Bugleweed, Menta de lobo
Stem, leaves, and flowers
May induce uterine contractions.
30. Matricaria recutita
Manzanilla alemana, German chamomille
Flowers
May induce uterine contractions.
31. Mentha pulegium
Poleo, Pennyroyal
Essential oil should not be used internally; abortifacient and liver toxic.
32. Montanoa tomentosa
Zoapatle. Cihuapatli
Leaves and stems
May induce uterine contractions.
33. Nicotiana tabacum
Tabaco, Tobacco
leaves
Smoked, chewed
34. Ocimum basilicum
Basil, Albahaca, Albacar
Leaves and stems
Tea, essential oil
Safe as a condiment. Avoid essential oil during pregnancy.
35. Origanum spp
Oregano
Leaves and stems
Tea, essential oil
Occasional use as a condiment considered safe. Taken as tea may induce uterine contractions. Avoid topical use of essential oil during pregnancy; avoid ingestion of essential oil.
36. Panax ginseng
Ginseng coreano, Korean ginseng
Root
Tea, capsules
Safety for use during pregnancy not established.
37. Panax quinquefolius
Ginseng americano, American ginseng
Root
Tea, capsules
Safety for use during pregnancy not established.
38. Passiflora incarnata
Flor de la pasión, Passion flower
Flowers
Tea, capsules
May induce uterine contractions.
39. Pausinystalia yohimbe
Yohimbe
Tree Bark
Tea, capsules
May induce uterine contractions.
40. Peumus boldus
Boldo
leaves
Tea
Contains a toxic compound known as ascaridol and a hypnotic alkaloid, boldine.
41. Piper methysticum
Kava kava
Rhizomes, root
Liquid extracts, capsules
Safety for use during pregnancy not established.
42. Rhamnus purshiana
Espino cerval, Buckthorn
Corteza
Tea, capsules
May induce uterine contractions.
43. Rheum spp
Ruibarbo, Rhubarb
Root
Tea, capsules
May induce uterine contractions.
44. Ricinus communis
Ricino, Castor oil, palma Christi
Seeds
Oil
Castor oil used as laxative may stimulate uterine contractions. The seeds are very poisonous.
45. Rosmarinus officinalis
Romero, Rosemary
Steams and leaves
Tea, essential oil
Occasional use as a condiment considered safe. Taken as tea may induce uterine contractions. Avoid topical use of essential oil during pregnancy; avoid ingestion of essential oil.
46. Ruta graveolens
Rue, Ruda
Leaves and stems
Tea
Toxic internally, may induce uterine contractions.
47. Serenoa repens
Palma sabal, Saw palmetto
Berrys
Pills, capsules
Bark may induce uterine contractions. Unripe berries are toxic.
48. Symphytum officinale
Comfrey
Planta entera
Tea, capsules
Avoid prolonged use internally; can be liver toxic.
49. Tabebuia spp
Palo de arco, lapacho Pau d´ arco
Flowers, Arbol, Corteza
Tea, capsules
May induce uterine contractions.
50. Tanacetum vulgare
Tanaceto, Feverfew
Flowers, Steams
Tea, capsules
May induce uterine contractions.
51. Tanacetum vulgare
Tanaceto, Feverfew
Flowers, Steams
Tea, capsules
May induce uterine contractions.
52. Trifolium pratense
Trébol, Clover
Flowers, Steams
Tea, capsules
May induce uterine contractions.
53. Trigonella foenum-graecum
Alholva, fenogreco, Fenugreek
leaves, Semillas
Tea, capsules
May induce uterine contractions.
54. Turnera diffusa
Damiana, hierba de la pastora
Flowers, Steams
Tea, capsules
May induce uterine contractions.
55. Uncaria tomentosa
Uña de gato, Cat´s claw
Liana
Tea, capsules
May induce uterine contractions.
56. Ustilago maydis
Corn smut, Cuitlacoche, Huitlacoche
Fungus
Food
Safety for ingestion during pregnancy not established. Avoid especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.
And many more….
Do not take any Ayurvedic or modern medicine without the advice of a proper doctor and if you start taking the medicine, you should take it in the right amount for a certain period of time.
Have a happy and healthy time ladies….
Dr. Pranita Mule
(M. D. Ayu.Medicine