Herbs and Vitamins

Although herbs are natural and commonly used amongst a variety of cultures as natural healing agents, women should use caution when using herbs and vitamins during pregnancy. While many believe that herbs are healthier than their medicinal counterparts, little research has been done on the use of herbs during pregnancy; making the safety of natural herbs unknown. Herbs can be used in a variety of ways and while one part of the herb (leaf, root, etc) or form of the herb (caplet, tea, etc) may be healthy, another may be harmful. Some herbs can cause miscarriage, premature birth, uterine contractions and injury to the developing fetus.

The following herbs are not considered safe for use during pregnancy:

• Saw Palmetto
• Goldenseal
• Dong Quai
• Ephedra
• Yohimbe
• Pay D’ Arco
• Passion Flower
• Black Cohosh
• Blue Cohosh
• Roman Chamomile
• Pennyroyal

The following herbs are considered possibly safe for use during pregnancy:

• Red Raspberry Leaf: High in iron and useful for toning the uterus, decreasing nausea, increasing milk production and decreasing labor pains.
• Peppermint Leaf: Relieves nausea and gas.
• Ginger Root: Relieves nausea and vomiting.
• Slippery Elm Bark: Relieves nausea, heartburn and vaginal irritations.
• Oats and Oats Straw: High in calcium and magnesium. Useful for relieving restlessness, anxiety and skin irritation.
• Lemon Balm: Relieves irritability, insomnia and anxiety.

Although the aforementioned herbs are considered to be possibly safe for use during pregnancy, it is wise to use them in moderation and consult with your healthcare provider if you are considering using them.

Culinary herbs, or herbs that are used in cooking, are safe to consume in small amounts for food preparatory purposes. These same herbs should not be used in larger quantities, including herbal teas. Herbal teas are generally not recommended for use during pregnancy, unless they are approved and recommended by your healthcare provider. Decaffeinated black tea is safe to drink and natural fruit additives can be mixed in to give more flavor.

If you plan on using herbs during your pregnancy, consult with your doctor or midwife first for their recommendation.

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