Herbal medicine to help through pregnancy

Pregnancy period have many common complaints, ranging from nausea, to acid stomach, to aches and pains, especially during the last few months. However, as women become more aware of the side effects of modern medication, more and more are turning to herbal to ease their pregnancy discomforts. Although many medicine are substitute of most natural supplements with a synthetic replacement but many people still look to natural herbs and vitamins to provide essential nutrition to pregnant women. These herbs help in the relief of some common discomforts during pregnancy.

Herbalists believe that herbs are often better, cheaper, and healthier for people than other medicine. But medical experts do not advise herbal remedies for pregnant women, since there is no surety of safety for pregnant women in the through extensive research.

Natural herbs and vitamin supplements do not go through the same examination and assessment process by the FDA like prescription drugs. This improper process the quality and strength of an herbal supplement can divide into two groups of the same product and between products from different manufacturers. The users have little sources of knowledge, if a product will do what the label claims and how safe the product may be. They may do not find reliable information about the product, which makes researching these products’ effectiveness more challenging.

Using herbs during pregnancy has a great myth. Traditional Chinese medicine has many herbal medicines to help during pregnancy and healthy baby. Native American women have strong relied on indigenous plants to achieve easier childbirth and healthier babies

The risks of using natural herbs during pregnancy

While herbs are natural but all herbs are not safe to take during pregnancy. The FDA recommends pregnant women should not take any herbal products without any guidance of their midwives or doctors. If women want to take herbs during their pregnancies they should consult a trained and experienced herbalist. If women use wrong herbs during pregnancy they can experience of the problem of miscarriage, premature birth, uterine contractions, or injury to the fetus.

Some herbal specialist organizations have done extensive testing on the safety of herbals. These organizations list herbs with their safety ratings for the general consumer. They care especially about the safety during pregnancy and lactation. But some time this rating can be confusing and unreliable for user because of their variance rate.

This is the reason it is recommended that women should consult with a professional who is familiar with using herbs during pregnancy. It is very important to understand the safety rating and what type of use the rating is for e.g. the rating for Rosemary is considered safe when used orally in amounts typically found in foods. (Rosemary has a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) in US) But in pregnancy, Rosemary is considered unsafe when used orally in medicinal amounts. Rosemary might have uterine and menstrual flow stimulant effects. There is not available enough and reliable information about the safety of the use of Rosemary during pregnancy.

This is a most important example of how the method of use of the herb changes its safety rating. The use of rosemary sprinkled in tomato sauce is not a risk to pregnant women and their baby. But if they use Rosemary in a large dose, like that used in medicinal amounts, it could be dangerous for their pregnancy. The same goes for herbs such as Garlic, Sage, Ginger and Turmeric. All of these herbs could be contraindicated in pregnancy when used in large quantity, but when use in food in small amount these are considered safe.

Avoid using herbs during pregnancy

Women should not try to self dose or diagnose with any medications, including herbs during pregnancy. Because each pregnancy is different, with its own specification, so if these women want to use herbs they must use the herbs under the care of a midwife, physician, and herbalist.

If women want to choose herb personally they should have good knowledge about herbs, parts of herbs like leaf, fruit roots etc. And they must know how to use these herbs (caplet, tonic, tea). Mostly food and tonic herbs are useful in pregnancy.

Choosing to use herbs during pregnancy is a personal choice, but to ensure the best outcome for you and your baby, you should be well educated on the types of herbs, parts of the herb (root, leaf, etc…) and the way that they could be used (caplet, tonic, tea). The herbs that are considered safe to use during pregnancy are often food or tonic herbs.

Some herbs used in pregnancy

The following herbs are considered probable Safe or Possibly Safe for use during pregnancy:

Nettles and Red Raspberry Leaf 

It is rich in iron; this herb has helped tone the uterus, increase milk production, decrease nausea, and ease labor pains. According to some experiments the using of red raspberry leaf during pregnancy can reduce complications and the use of interventions during birth.

Peppermint Leaf 

It helpful in relieving nausea (morning sickness) and flatulence

Ginger root

That is helpful in relieve nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Slippery Elm Bark 

The uses of Slippery Elm Bark help to relieve nausea, heartburn, and vaginal irritations

Oats & Oat Straw 

It is full of calcium and magnesium; helps relieve anxiety, restlessness, and irritated skin

Garlic and Cucumbers

These can help keep high blood pressure from becoming a problem during pregnancy.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) 

It strengthens the integrity of blood vessels.

Avoid these herbs in pregnancy

The following herbs are considered unsafe during pregnancy

Saw Palmetto 

When used orally, has hormonal activity.

Goldenseal

When used orally, may irritate the placenta.

Dong Quai

When used orally, due to uterine stimulant and relaxant effects.

Ephedra

When used orally in can unsafe for pregnant women.

Yohimbe

It can be risky when used orally.

Pay D’ Arco

When use orally in excessive doses in can create problem in pregnancy.

Passion Flower

When used orally.

Black Cohosh

When used orally in pregnant women who are not at term.

Blue Cohosh

When used orally; uterine stimulant and can induce labor

Roman Chamomile

When used orally in medicinal amounts

Pennyroyal –

When used orally or topically in pregnancy.

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