Gentle expectations
Some herbs are mild enough to use during pregnancy while others should be avoided altogether. Here is an overview of helpful plants as well as those to be avoided.
March/April 1997
By Aviva Romm
FOR SOME WOMEN, pregnancy can be a time of
wondrous health. Their skin glows, their hair shines, their energy
levels double. But such positive attributes can be accompanied by
constipation, sore muscles, nausea, and fatigue, all of which can
make an expectant mother feel decidedly uncomfortable.
RELATED CONTENT
This guide to making herbal teas will have you happily sipping in no time....
Sometimes I feel like a god—not the invincible, “able to move heaven and earth” kind of god, but ju...
Notes from Regional Herb Gardeners: This is the time of year when I order my soil amendments. This ...
Shed your winter dry, dull, faded hair and itchy scalp for these easy and inexpensive shampoo and c...
A glossary of terms you may need to know if you plan to brew your own herbal wine....
Through the centuries, pregnant women of many cultures have
turned to herbs to alleviate discomfort. Scientific research has
shown that some of these remedies are safe for pregnant women to
use under certain conditions. Other herbal remedies should be
avoided. Learning which is which is easy—just read on—as is
learning to prepare the safe ones. You may find that even something
as simple as a daily ritual of drinking a nourishing herbal tea can
keep you feeling well and become a time of affirmation about the
baby to be.
Using herbs wisely
The fetus continues to develop throughout pregnancy, but the
first trimester (three months) is especially important, as this is
the time when all of its features, limbs, nerves, brain, and other
organs are taking shape. It also is a highly sensitive time, as the
fetus is susceptible to developmental abnormalities caused by
harmful medications, environmental pollutants, and infections.
Although herbs are “natural”, not all herbs are safe to take
during pregnancy. Many contain constituents that can cause
miscarriage or premature birth, injure the fetus, or jeopardize the
mother’s health (see the list on page 26). Few clinical studies
have measured the effects of various herbs on pregnant women or
fetuses. Therefore, using herbs requires a cautious approach.
First, no two people are exactly alike, and you cannot know the
exact effect an herb will have on your body. Even when using the
“tried and true” herbs discussed below, it’s best to begin with a
small quantity, gradually increasing dosage if appropriate and if
no adverse effects occur. Chamomile, for example, a member of the
aster family, is ordinarily considered one of the safest of herbs,
but an individual allergic to ragweed (a member of the same family)
may also have a reaction to chamomile.
Second, it is important to follow dosage guidelines for each
herb. Digestion slows during pregnancy so substances tend to remain
in the digestive tract longer, and their effects may be heightened
and longer-lasting. The idea that more of a medication, including
herbs, is better can be a dangerous fallacy, especially during
pregnancy. The lowest effective dose is usually the best.
Page: 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Next >>