Herbs and Pregnancy

Many herbs stimulate the uterus and are unsafe for women who are pregnant. I have gathered this information form several resources to help with awareness during pregnancy. You are responsible for your own health.

These herbs should be avoided for who are pregnant:

• Arbor vitae (Thuja occidentalis): A uterine and menstrual stimulant that could damage the fetus.
• Autumn crocus (Colichicum autumnale): Can affect cell division and lead to birth defects.
• Barberry (Berberis vulgaris): Contains high levels of berberine, known to stimulate uterine contractions.
• Basil oil: A uterine stimulant: use only during labour.
• Beth root (Trillium erectum): A uterine stimulant; use only during labour.
• Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosus): May lead to premature contractions; avoid unless under professional guidance. Safe to use during childbirth.
• Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis): A uterine stimulant that in quite small doses also causes vomiting.
• Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides): A uterine stimulant to avoid unless under professional guidance. Safe to use during childbirth.
• Broom (Cytisus scoparius): Causes uterine contractions so should be avoided during pregnancy; in parts of Europe it is given after the birth to prevent blood loss.
• Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus): Interferes with hormone production in the pituitary gland, so best avoided.
• Clove oil: A uterine stimulant used only during labour.
• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): Contains toxic chemicals that will cross the placenta; do not take internally.
• Cotton root (Gossypium herbaceum): Uterine stimulant traditionally given to encourage contractions during a difficult labour, but rarely used medicinally today.
• Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca) An aphrodisiac that stimulates sex hormones, a nutritive for the endocrine system and promotes healthy libido. Not for use in pregnancy.
• Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens): Uterine stimulant, oxytocic.
• Dong quai (Angelica polymorpha var. sinensis): Uterine and menstrual stimulant, best avoided during pregnancy; ideal after childbirth.
• Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium): Uterine stimulant; may cause premature contractions.
• Golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis): Uterine stimulant; may lead to premature contractions but safe during childbirth.
• Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus): Uterine stimulant; may cause premature contractions.
• Horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) Reduces vascular fragility and moderates inflammatory swelling. Helpful for varicose veins, spider veins, and hemorrhoids. Not for use in pregnancy.
• Juniper oil (Juniperus communis): A uterine stimulant; use only during labour.
• Lady's mantle (Alchemilla xanthoclora): A uterine stimulant; use only in labour.
• Liferoot (Senecio aureus): A uterine stimulant containing toxic chemicals that will cross the placenta.
• Mistletoe (Viscum album): A uterine stimulant containing toxic chemicals that may cross the placenta.
• Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.
• Pennyroyal American (Hedeoma pulegioides): Reputed uterine stimulant to be avoided during pregnancy.
• European pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.
• Pokeroot (Phytolacca decandra): May cause birth defects.
• Pseudoginseng (Panax notoginseng): May cause birth defects.
• Pulsatilla (Anemone pulsatilla): Menstrual stimulant best avoided during pregnancy; limited use during lactation.
• Rue (Ruta graveolens): Uterine and menstrual stimulant; may cause premature contractions.
• Sassafras (Sassafras albidum): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects.
• Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris): A uterine stimulant; use only during labour.
• Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.
• Squill (Urginea maritima): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects.
• Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects.
• Wild yam (Diascorea villosa): A uterine stimulant to avoid unless under professional guidance; safe during labour.
• Wormwood (Artemisia absinthum): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.
  

I love to use Medicinal Strength Essential Oils for healing, however, some things that are fine for culinary use or a small accents in teas, are dangerous in high doses or with excessive use. Here is a list of some of those things. Essential oils are considered "high dosage", even though you only use small amounts because they are so concentrated. (Which makes them GREAT medicine any other time!) So be wise and careful.

Herbs to use only in moderation during pregnancy. In other words, High dosage especially for extended periods of time or essential oils are concerns but can still be used. I wouldn't "panic" about these, but I thought I would post them anyway in case there are folks who use them in extra ordinary doses:

• Alder buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula): Strongly purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods.
• Angelica (Angelica archangelica): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb.
• Anise and aniseed oil (Pimpinella anisum): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely.
• Bitter orange (Citrus aurantiam): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb or in moderate use.
• Caraway (Carum carvi): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb.
• Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana): Strongly purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods.
• Celery seed and oil (Apium graveolens): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb.
• Chamomile oil: The oil is a potent uterine stimulant to be avoided, but the dried or fresh herb is safe in moderation.
• Chili (Capsicum spp): Avoid high doses as they may lead to heartburn; can flavor breast milk when breast-feeding. Moderate culinary use is fine.
• Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid the essential oil completely.
• Cowslip (Primula veris): Strongly purgative and a uterine stimulant in high doses.
• Elder bark: Strongly purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods.
• False Unicorn Root (Chamaelirium luteum): A hormonal stimulant to avoid unless under professional guidance. Reproductive tonic, used to promote female infertility. Cleansing to the reproductive system and improves delayed menses, leucorrhea, ovarian pain, and male impotence. Contains estrogen precursors. Eases vomiting in pregnancy (small doses). Helps prevent threatened miscarriage.
• Fennel oil: A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely.
• Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb or during labour.
• Gotu kola (Centella asiatica): Possible uterine stimulant; use in moderation for occasional teas only.
• Jasmine oil: A uterine stimulant best reserved for childbirth to ease labour.
• Lovage (Levisticum officinale): A uterine stimulant traditionally used in slow and difficult labour; safe as a culinary herb.
• Marjoram oil (Origanum vulgare): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely.
• Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca): A uterine stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labour.
• Myrrh (Commiphora molmol): A uterine stimulant that may lead to premature contractions; avoid high doses.
• Nutmeg Oil: Inhibits prostaglandin production and contains hallucinogens that may affect the fetus; once erroneously regarded as an abortifacient. Safe in normal culinary use.
• Oregano (Origanum X marjoricum; O. onites): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely.
• Parsley (Petroselinum crispum): Uterine stimulant that may also irritate the fetus in high doses; safe in normal culinary use.
• Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata): A uterine stimulant in high doses; safe for moderate use.
• Peppermint oil: A uterine stimulant; avoid the oil entirely, although low doses of the dried herb can be used.
• Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus): A uterine stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final six to eight weeks and during labour.
• Rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum): Strongly purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods.
• Rosemary oil: A uterine stimulant in high doses; safe in moderation and normal culinary use. Avoid using the oil entirely.
• Saffron (Crocus sativa): A uterine stimulant in high doses; safe in normal culinary use.
• Sage oil: A uterine and hormonal stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely.
• Senna (Senna alexandrina): Strongly purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods.
• Squaw Vine (Mitchella repens) Tonifies the uterus and helps promote an easy labor. Helps to ease cramping and relaxes the nervous system. Not for use in pregnancy until it is time for labor.
• Thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris): Some reports claim that it acts as a uterine stimulant, though the research is disputed; the herb is quite safe in cooking.
• Vervain (Verbene officinalis): A uterine stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labour.
• White horehound (Marrubium vulgare): Reputed uterine stimulant; safe in moderation in cough drops.
• Wood betony (Stachys officinalis): A uterine stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labour.
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): A uterine stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labour.

A Just FEW Helpful Herbs During Pregnancy:

• Parsley, Celery, Land Cress. Rocket are taken for vitamins and minerals. Do not use the seeds.
• Raspberry Leaf is used to tone the uterus.
• Cramp Bark (Vlburnum opulus) Relaxes muscle tension and spasms, soothes ovarian pain and uterine cramps. Used to prevent threatened miscarriage.
• For Morning Sickness: Camomile Tea (1 cup before rising); Ginger ( tincture, up to 1ml/day, 2-3 drops at a time); Peppermint (Tinture 2 ml in hot water 3x daily); Black Horehound (tincture -2 ml in hot water 3x daily)
  

Helpful Herbs For Delivery and After:

• Goldenseal can be taken during labor to assist the uterus.
• St. John's Wort (apply an oil infusion to the area, or add a strong infusion to a hip bath)
• Use the oil with added lavendar to heal the perineum after birth.
• Prepare a tincture with oats to use for postpartum depression.
• To boost milk production for nursing after the baby is born: Fenugreek, Fennel, Caraway, Borage and Milk Thistle are good.
• Sage is used to reduce milk production when weaning.
• Colic is soothed with Fennel
• For Mastitus, bruise Cabbage leaves, or Echinacea and use as a compress.
• Use calendula cream for diaper rash and cracked nipples.
• Caraway tincture or infusion, can help ease labor pains and stimulate the flow of breast milk.

A friend forwarded me some information from another friend who is an herbalist. This is what she had to say about herbal dangers during pregnancy, so I thought I would include it here as it appears to be wisdom:

All of the herbal advice I am giving is straight from what I learned at the School of Natural Healing. Their knowledge will probably differ drastically from other herbalists. What they know and what works is from tried and true years and years and years of case studies. (Decades and centuries). Other herbalists will tell you a lot of herbs are dangerous for pregnancy. This is based off of FDA herbal studies, where they isolate one compound in the herb and mulitply is dozens of times (synthetically) then inject it into an animal. Herbs in their whole food state (as the bible instructs) are for our food and medicine. There are some herbs that are best to avoid in early stages of pregnancy but can be used in the last few weeks for labor. (For instance pennyroyal, and black and blue cohosh). I also learned, and you may want to heed my learning, that colloidal silver is really not good for our bodies. It does> not differentiate between the good and bad flora. It will> kill infection and bacteria, but also the good stuff that we need to fight infection. Colloidal silver is great to disenfect water, if you need to. However, garlic is anatural antibiotic, antifungal, infection fighting, flu fighting, plague fighting herb that does no harm............

She also said:

Being pregnant you will really really need a natural source of calcium. The baby is going to draw all it needs from your food, but if you aren't getting enough, it will pull the calcium from your teeth, bones, veins, even muscles. Calcium tablets are not a good way to assimilate calcium. Take calcium via herbs and foods. All green leafy veggies, (Lots of them), spirulina, teas made from Horsetail grass, dandelion root and leaf, nettle (especially nettle), alfalfa. Drink teas all day. Make a big gallon and you can drink it cold. (I actually experianced my son drawing calcium from my teeth in my second pregnancy. I will post some of my tea recipes on this site under "herbals" that are very high in calcium and tasty too. They will say so. If you are interested.)

I am thankful for this information; I will still be cautious and dicerning with what I use during my pregnancy, I use alternatives to some things, but it has given me a little more "freedom" to use things I thought would be fine but showed up as "cautions" in my search. Especially if they do not state a specific side effect and is something that is very common (like peppermint for instance).

I hope you find this helpful and welcome any further comments.