Herbal Use During Pregnancy & Lactation

Herbal Use During Pregnancy & Lactation Using herbal remedies during pregnancy and lactation cab be safe, but there are some you should avoid and others that should only be used short term or only during a certain time in the pregnancy/lactation cycle. The following is a list of herbs that have either been contra-indicated for pregnancy/ lactation or are NOT recommended by more herbalists. aloe angelica barberry basil tea black cohosh blue cohosh buchu buckthorn cascara sagrada* catnip celery chamomile capsules or tincture cinnamon oil comfrey dong quai ephedra false unicorn fennel** feverfew ginger (in does of 1 Tbsp, not to exceed one cup per day) ginseng, panax ginseng, siberian goldenseal horsechestnut hyssop juniper kava-kava licorice lobelia lovage

marjoram mortherwort mugwort myrrh oregon grape* osha parsely juice passion flower pennyroyal peppermint oil poke root prickly ash rehmannia rhubarb rosemary rue sage (even avoid dietary spice) sarsparilla senna sheperd’s purse slippery elm squawvine st. john’s wort tansy tienchi tumeric uva ursi vitex witch hazel wood betony wormwood yarrow

* Short-.term use only, which is 7 to 10 days ** Fennel tea has been used traditionally to enhance breast milk production. Use only during lactation.

CF157 Update 5/05

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A general recommendation is to avoid herbal remedies during the first trimester of a pregnancy, unless advised otherwise by a qualified health professional. Most tonic herbs may be used during the second and third trimesters and during lactation. It is best to use them in tea form. The uterine tonic herbs may be used by the advice of a qualified health professional only during the third trimester. The following tonic herbs may be used cautiously through pregnancy/lactation, preferably in tea form. Please pay attention to those followed by parentheses. alfalfa astragalus bearberry beet bilberry black cohosh (uterine tonic – third trimester only) blue cohosh (uterine tonic – third trimester only) burdock cayenne chamomile tea, mild chickweed chicory chlorophyll cranberry dandelion echinecea elecampane evening primrose oil eyebright false unicorn (uterine tonic – third trimester only)

fenugreek garlic* gentian ginger (short term only – 1 Tbsp doses, not to excess 1 cup per day) ginkgo biloba grapefruit hawthorne kelp lemon balm marshmellow milk thistle mullein nettles oatstraw peppermint tea red clover red raspberry skullcap squawvine (uterine tonic – third trimester only) valerian yellow dock

* Garlic for use in foods only. Avoid supplements and tinctures. References: Bergner, Paul. Herbs in Pregnancy: Cautions and Toxicology. Romm, Aviva. Gentle Expectations. Herbs for Health. March/April 1997.

CF157 Update 5/05

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