Knowing which herbs to take and which to AVOID during pregnancy
11/03/2008

Article provided by Naturally Healthy Lifestyles.

The medicinal use of herbs is believed to be as old as mankind itself, and up until the 18th century it was the most common form of medical treatment in the West.

Useful Herbs to take during pregnancy

Alfalfa  - (Medicago sativa) rich in calcium, carotene, trace minerals and vitamins E, K

Black Cohosh - (Cimicifuga racemosa) tones uterus; regulates contractions at birth; - only to be used during the third trimester

Black Haw - (Viburnum prunifolium) aids in relieving leg cramps; helps prevent possible miscarriage

Blue Cohosh  - (Caulophyllum thalictroides) regulates contractions at birth; - only to be used during the third trimester

Chamomile - (Matricaria chamomilla) calming effect, helps prevent and ease constipation

Cleavers - (Galium aparine) helps lower high blood pressure; diuretic, to reduce water retention

Cramp Bark - (Viburnum opulus) antispasmodic (relieves muscle cramps); helps prevent possible miscarriage

Dandelion Root & Leaf - (Taraxacum officinales) rich mineral source; root tea or tincture relieves constipation; root & leaf tea act as a diuretic, to reduce water retention; helps lower high blood pressure

False Unicorn Root - (Chamaelirium luteum) eases nausea, aids in preventing possible miscarriage

Fennel Seed - (Foeniculum vulgare) eases constipation, helps with the release of excess gas

Ginger - (Zingibar officinalis) eases nausea; - Should be taken in moderation, as high doses may result in miscarriage

Hawthorn - (Cratageus spp.) improves circulation; decreases high blood pressure

Horsetail - (Equisetum arvense) rich mineral and silica content for strong bones; long-term usage will require thiamine (vitamin B2) supplementation

Lavender - (Lavandula officinalis) calming effect; eases nausea

Lemon Balm - (Melissa officinalis) calming effect; eases nausea; carminative

Nettles - (Urtica dioica) rich in minerals

Peppermint - (Mentha piperita) carminative

Red Raspberry Lea  (Rubus idaeus) tones uterus; improves contractions; eases constipation

Skullcap - (Scutellaria laterifolia) calming effect

Slippery Elm  (Ulmus rubra) eases contipation; nourishing

Wild Yam - (Dioscorea villosa) relieves uterine pains


Herbs to avoid during pregnancy

• Herbs listed as uterine stimulants, anthraquinone laxatives and/or abortifacients should be avoided due to their stimulating effects on smooth muscle which could result in a potential miscarriage.
• Herbs listed as emmenagogues, aid in promoting and regulating menstruation, and therefore should be avoided during pregnancy.
• Herbs containing alkaloids, bitter principles or essential oils should not be used due to the effects these may have on bodily functions in both mother and baby.

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

Blue Cohosh - (Caulophyllum thalictroides) uterine stimulant

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

Buckthorn - (Rhamnus cathartica) anthraquinone laxative

Cascara Sagrada - (Rhamnus purshiana) anthraquinone laxative; uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

Cayenne - (Capsicum frutescens) uterine stimulant; essential oils

Celandine - (Chelidonium majus) alkaloids and bitter principles

Cotton-root Bark - (Gossypium herbaceum) emmenogogue

Docks - (Rumex crispus) anthraqinone laxative

Ephedra - (Ephedra vulgaris) alkaloids and bitter principles

Fennel - (Foeniculum vulgare) uterine stimulant; essential oils

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 officinalis) essential oils and bitter principles

Licorice- (Glycyrrhiza glabra) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

Marjoram - (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

Oregano - (Origanum vulgare) essential oils

Passion Flower - (Passiflora incarnata) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; essential oil

Pennyroyal - (Mentha pulegium) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

Periwinkle - (Vinca rosea) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

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

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

Rosemary - (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 - (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; essentials oils; bitter principles

For more information on a 'Natural Pregnancy' visit

Naturally Healthy Lifestyles.

Best Wishes

Richard Penfounde - Natural Health Advisor

http://www.naturallyhealthylifestyles.com

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