Herbs To Avoid

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Herbs to avoid in pregnancy

The following list of herbs are considered unsafe to use internally during pregnancy due either to their actions on reproductive organs or because of certain naturally-occurring substances found in them. Herbs listed as anthraquinone laxatives should be avoided due to their stimulating effects on smooth muscle which can include uterine tissue causing a potential miscarriage. Herbs listed as uterine stimulants should be avoided for the same reason. Herbs listed as abortifacients have a strong potential to cause a miscarriage. Herbs listed as emmenagogues help promote and regulate menstruation, something to avoid in pregnancy. The herbs listed as having alkaloids, bitter principles or essential oils in them should not be used because of the effects these principles have on functions in the body of the mother or the fetus. Culinary herbs like oregano and thyme are safe in the small amounts used in cooking but not in the larger doses used for teas or tinctures. If you are unsure about an herb or what a safe amount is, it is best to avoid the herb or seek the advice of a herbal practitioner or naturopath.

*Aloe (Aloe spp.) - anthraquinone laxative

*American Mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum) - uterine stimulant; abortifacient

*Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) - alkaloids and bitter principles

*Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) - uterine stimulant; may use to prepare for labor in last 5-6 weeks of pregnancy

*Blue Cohosh (first 2 trimesters) (Caulophyllum thalictroides) - uterine stimulant; may use to prepare for labor in last 5-6 weeks of pregnancy; black cohosh is better choice

*Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) - uterine stimulant; alkaloids and bitter principles

*Buckthorm (Rhamnus cathartica) - anthraquinone laxative

*Calamus (Acorus calamus) - uterine stimulant; bitter principles and essential oils

*Celandine (Chelidonium majus) - alkaloids and bitter principles

*Cinchona - alkaloids and bitter principles

*Cotton-root Bark (Gossypium herbaceum) - emmenogogue

*Docks (curled) (Rumex crispus) - anthraquinone laxative

*Ephedra (Ephedra vulgaris) - alkaloids and bitter principles

*Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) - uterine stimulant; essential oils

*Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) - uterine stimulant

*Flax Seed (Linum usitatissimum) - uterine stimulant

*Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) - emmenogogue, uterine stimulant

*Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) - uterine stimulant; alkaloids and bitter principles

*Juniper (Juniperus communis) - essential oils and bitter principles

*Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

*Lavender (Lavandula officinalls) - essential oils and bitter principles

*Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

*Marjoram (therapeutic doses) (Oreganum vulgare) - essential oils

*Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) - uterine stimulant; bitter principles

*Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

*Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale) - bitter principles; laxative; emetic

*Mistletoe (Viscum album) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

*Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) - emmenogogue; uterine stimulant

*Oregano (therapeutic doses (Origanum vulgare) - essential oils

*Passionflower ( Passiflora incameta) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

*Periwinkle (Vinca roses) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

*Poke Root (Phytolacca americana) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

*Rhubarb (Rheum spp.) - emmenogogue; uterine stimulant; alkaloids

*Rosemary (therapeutic doses) (Rosmarinus officinalis) - essential oils

*Rue (Ruta graveolens) - emmenogogue

*Sage (Salvia officinalis) - uterine stimulant; essential oils; bitter principles

*Senna (cassia acutifolia) - anthraquinone laxative; emmenogogue; uterine stimulant

*Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

*Thuja (Thuja occidentalis) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; essential oils

*Thyme (therapeutic doses) (Thymus vulgaris) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; essential oils

*Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina) - uterine stimulant; bitter principles

*Wormwood (Artemisia spp.) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

*Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - emmenogogue; essential oils; bitter principles

Where did this information come from?

1. Dictionary of Modern Herbalism, Mills, Simon Y., Healing Arts Press, 1988

2. A Modern Herbal, Grieve, M., Dover Publications, 1971, Vol. II, p. 700

3. Naturopathic Handbook of Herbal Formulas, Herbal Research Publications, Inc., 1995

4. The Yoga of Herbs, Frawley, Dr. David and Vasant, Dr. Lad, Lotus Press, 1992

Please consult physician or midwife before self-prescribing any natural remedies.

"We cannot tell what may happen to us in the strange medley of life, but we can decide what happens in us - how we take it, what we do with it - and that is what really counts in the end. How we take the raw stuff of life and make it into a thing of worth and beauty - that is the test of living."
- Joseph Fort Newton

Psalm 139:13-16 You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below, but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do.