What Herbs Are Safe In Pregnancy?

Of Course you should talk with your Doctor about taking anything when you are pregnant. For those of you interested, here is an article about some helpful herbs in pregnancy.

Guest Post By Diane Van Doesburg


Herbs can be used to meet some of the nutritional needs of a pregnant woman as well as help with some common ailments. The trick to knowing what is safe and what is not safe is to know what the herb is actually used for. Of course, caution should always be exercised and when in doubt it's better to be safe than sorry.
However, the following are some safe guidelines when considering what herbs to use during pregnancy.
The best herbs to use for a pregnant woman are mild tonic herbs. These are herbs that have traditionally been used as food. They can be used daily to nourish and supply the nutritional needs of a pregnant woman.
What are some good mild herbs? Raspberry leaf, alfalfa, nettle, oat straw, chamomile, dandelion and lemon balm. Raspberry leaf for instance is a great herb that tones and prepares the uterus for labor and delivery. It may actually cause an easier labor! These herbs are also heralded as having wonderful nutritional benefits such as iron, calcium and magnesium. Make a daily tea with these herbs to benefit from their wonderful qualities throughout the pregnancy.
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See also: getpregnantover40.com for more on herbs for fertility and alternative medicine to get pregnant

Sometimes a woman suffering from morning sickness can benefit from the use of milk thistle. Milk thistle has been used by many to help clear excess hormones from the liver which at times can be the cause of morning sickness. Peppermint essential oil diffused throughout the room can calm a queasy stomach, also.
As well, a tablespoon or two of ginger root tea may help alleviate morning sickness.
Another common pregnancy ailment is hemorrhoids. Beneficial herbs are witch hazel. A small cotton pad can be soaked with witch hazel and applied to the affected area. Drinking oat straw or nettle tea will help with strengthening and promoting elasticity of the capillaries in the rectum area.
Herbal sitz baths can be used for hemorrhoids to reduce swelling and provide some relief. A small bag of anti inflammatory herbs such as calendula, yarrow, oats and chamomile can be used. These herbs can also be used in a salve and applied topically.
Of course, hemorrhoids could be a cause of constipation. Keep the stool moving by eating plenty of fiber and use psyllium husks if needed.
Unsweetened cranberry juice is one of the best remedies for bladder infections. Several cups of juice need be consumed on a daily basis in order to be effective. The hippuric acid produced in the urine from cranberry juice actually prevents bacterial growth and prevents the bacteria from sticking to the lining of the bladder.
Heartburn, another pregnancy ailment can be alleviated by sipping on chamomile tea during your meals. Sucking on some slippery elm lozenges can also help. Papaya, full of good digestive enzymes is so beneficial after a meal. Papaya will aid with proper digestion.
The herbs you would want to avoid are the herbs that are used to promote menstruation. These herbs can actually cause contractions and are considered abortifacient. The herbs to avoid are black cohosh, blue cohosh, pennyroyal, yarrow, shepherd's purse, angelica and motherwort to name a few.
Always err on the side of caution and if unsure about the use of an herb consult with a trained herb specialist or avoid its use.
For a wonderful Pregnancy Tea recipe that offers important vitamins and minerals, tones and prepares the uterus for easier labor and delivery visit [http://www.herbal-remedies-at-home.com/herbs-for-pregnancy.html]
Diane Van Doesburg (Herbalist)
[http://www.herbal-remedies-at-home.com]
The information provided is not meant to diagnose, treat or prescribe any illnesses. It is meant for information only. Please consult with a trained health care practitioner of your choice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Van_Doesburg


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Herbal Preparations Used By a Suprising Number Of Pregnant Women

 Pregnancy Over 40 and Herbal Treatments

I think most women consider herbal remedies and preparations as "all natural" and safe.  I did use some herbal teas in combination when I was trying to conceive, but when I was actually pregnant, the only thing that seemed to help my nausea was peppermint green tea (decaffeinated).

My site: www.getpregnantover40.com for more on making your own teas and natural remedies

Many medicines and herbal preparations are derived from "all natural" sources, but they are not necessarily safe in pregnancy. Always check with your doctor before taking anything in pregnancy. Read more:

Overall, 462 (10.9 percent) of the 4,239 mothers reported using herbal products in the 3 months before or at some point during pregnancy. The prevalence of herbal use anytime during pregnancy was 9.4 percent. The prevalence during pregnancy was highest (6.9 percent) during the first trimester.

Excluding the 86 mothers whose only use of herbs involved herbal teas, the prevalence of herb exposure before or during pregnancy was 8.9 percent.

The most commonly reported products used early in pregnancy were ginger, which has been shown to help ease morning sickness, without side effects to the unborn child, and ephedra, an herbal stimulant that was banned in the U.S. in 2004 after reports linked it to heart attacks, strokes and at least 155 deaths.

The products used most often throughout pregnancy were herbal teas and chamomile, which has also been shown to ease morning sickness.

Herb exposure was more prevalent in women older than 30 and with more than 12 years of education. Of the 10 states studied, Iowa had the lowest rate of herbal use (5.4 percent) and Utah had the highest (16.5 percent).

"The fact that use of herbal products was greatest during the first trimester raises concerns about fetal safety, because this is a critical period of fetal organ development," Broussard noted.
from: 
vancouversun.com