Are there any specific herbs that a pregnant woman should avoid taking?

Answer 1

Don't take fenugreek as it can cause contractions.

Herbs to Avoid during Pregnancy

Experts agree that pregnant women should avoid herbs that have strong medicinal or potentially toxic effects. Francis Brinker, ND, author of The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, notes that many of the herbs not recommended help initiate menstrual flow, particularly in nonpregnant women. For women who miscarry easily, higher doses of these herbs in early pregnancy may increase this risk.

Under professional guidance, a woman may be advised to take some of these herbs to treat specific conditions, including complications of pregnancy. For instance, herbalists have traditionally used black haw, false unicorn root, cramp bark, and wild yam root for threatened miscarriage. Both blue cohosh and black cohosh are sometimes recommended during the last weeks of pregnancy to prepare the uterus for childbirth or to stimulate contractions. Shepherd's purse has been utilized to abate hemorrhaging during childbirth.

The point is not to self-medicate with the following botanicals. It is also important to realize that the examples in each category do not represent an exhaustive list.

Herbs that stimulate uterine contractions: birthwort, blue cohosh, cinchona, cotton root bark, ergot (as in commercial preparations for migraine headaches), goldenseal, gotu kola, Peruvian bark.


Herbs that stimulate menstrual flow: agave, angelica, bethroot, black cohosh, chicory, feverfew (in flower), hyssop, horehound, lovage, milk this-tie, mistletoe, motherwort, mugwort, nasturtium seed, osha, fresh parsley leaves (especially placed vaginally), pennyroyal, poke root, pulsatilla, rue, saffron, sumac berries, tansy, thuja (white cedar), watercress, wormwood, yarrow.


Herbs high in volatile oils (which can stimulate or irritate the uterus): eucalyptus, nutmeg, osha, yerba mansa, and the mint family members basil, catnip, lemon balm, marjoram, oregano, peppermint, pennyroyal, rosemary, true sage, and thyme. For the common culinary herbs, the concern lies with the use of high doses in women susceptible to miscarriage, not with using herbs to flavor food.


Plants high in alkaloids (which can also stimulate the uterus): barberry, blood root, broom, goldenseal, coffee, mandrake, tea.


Herbs that affect hormonal function: dong quai, hops, licorice, motherwort, wild yam.


Harsh herbal laxatives: aloe, cascara sagrada, purging buckthorn, rhubarb, senna, and yellow dock (in large amounts).


Strong diuretics: juniper berries, uvaursi (bearberry).

Answer 2

Yes, there are quite a few here they are.
Here is a list of the herbs to avoid during pregnancy:
Alder Buckthorn
Angelica
Agave
Black Cohosh
Blessed Thistle
Blue Cohosh
Butternut
Calendula
Comfrey
Cotton Root
Damiana
Dong Quai
Ephedra (Ma Huang)
Feverfew
Ginger Root
Ginseng
Goldenseal
Gotu Kola
Hops
Ipecac
Licorice
Lobelia
Mandrake
Mistletoe
Mugwort
Nutmeg (in large amounts)
Parsley (in large amounts)
Pennyroyal
Pleurisy Root
Poke Root
Rue
Rhubarb
Sage (avoid while nursing also)
Sarsaprilla
Sheperd's Purse
Tansy Leaves
Wormwood
Yarrow
Congratulations on your new baby

Answer 3

I've never heard about any herbs causing problems. Although I know that black licorice can put you into labor. Don't take any meds like IB profin (Aspirin types), only take Tylenol. Drink lots of water. That's all the advise I can think of for now. Hope I helped some. Good luck...

Answer 4

Yes there is. Herbs can be great during pregnancy for helping with things like morning sickness, leg cramps, etc but other herbs can be dangerous.

Here is a list for you to check out http://www.mothering.com/community_tools/toolbox/pregnancy_birth/herbs-to-avoid.html

Good luck to you and congratulations.

Answer 5

Never take blue cohosh, it will make you have a miscarriage. Never take it.

Answer 6

no drinking, smoking, dying your hair, no fish.

Answer 7

YES; MARIGUANA!!!! dont use that herb!!

Answer 8

pennyroyal

Answer 9

cannabis

Answer 10

pee pee nuts