Herbs To Avoid During Pregnancy 2024: Risks, Precautions & Alternatives

Research by the World Health Organization^[1] suggests that as of 2018, 34 member states added herbal or traditional medicines to their national essential medicines lists (NEMLs). There are many conflicting views on herbal medicine; it is regularly used in Eastern Medicine, but countries like the United States disregard its use, which is why the literature on Western Medicine has been largely negligent in pursuing scholarly research on it.

No matter what your view is, it cannot be denied that some herbs have health benefits. Because of this, some women use them to promote the health of their pregnancy. If you are still unsure of whether or not you should utilize herbal medicine, then you are in the right place! 

This piece will establish the relationship between herbs and pregnancy and guide you around the safe and dangerous ones while providing crucial information about them. So let’s dive in and learn which herbs to avoid during pregnancy! 

To play the devil’s advocate, some herbal medicines are safe for pregnancy. Some, however, are not, which ones should you avoid? And why? Let’s find out. 

Here Are Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy List

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is a long-established herbal medicine, and it is among the herbs to avoid while pregnant. Black cohosh is a perennial plant that produces flowers. As a member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), black cohosh grows in temperate regions, particularly in Canada and the eastern section of America.

Black cohosh^[6] contains active substances such as glycosides and isoferulic acids; the underground section of the plants serves medicinal purposes. Likewise, black cohosh comes in various forms, including capsules, liquid tincture, and dried roots (herbal tea).    

Traditional Chinese medicine has converted black cohosh into a valuable herb that supports the nervous system and liver functions; it reduces musculoskeletal pains and spasms. Alternatively, it is also known to increase the tone of the uterine muscle, possibly risking preterm labor; it also may impact fluid balance by affecting urination hormones. Neither of these two latter properties is felt to be safe in pregnancy^[7]. 

Some time ago, researchers decided to ascertain the effectiveness of black cohosh with symptoms relating to menopause (night sweats and hot flashes). They found that its efficacy surpassed^[8] that of the antidepressant fluoxetine for these complaints (but not for depression and anxiety). 

The recommended black cohosh dosage for non-pregnant women is between 20 to 80 milligrams (mg) a day. However, the tablets of these herbal drugs should have a milligram of 27-deoxyactein, a triterpene glycoside^[9]. 

Blue Cohosh

Blue cohosh^[10], also known as Caulophyllum thalictroides, is another medicinal herb that is prevalent in North America; its roots serve medicinal purposes. When mature, the plant becomes large, possessing several stems. 

You can easily spot blue cohosh since glaring blueberries follow its flower clusters. Generally, people use blue cohosh as a supplement. In addition, blue cohosh is suitable for various medical conditions, including amenorrhea (absent periods) and dysmenorrhea (painful periods). 

Herbalists believe that blue cohosh can be a uterine tonic, stimulating menstrual blood flow. However, no clinical trial has validated this function. Likewise, women use the herb to relieve menstrual pain. Regarding pregnancy, there is evidence that it may risk preterm labor and may be toxic to heart tissue^[11]; the heart is challenged enough during labor and delivery, and its property of vasoconstriction^[12]may cause cardiac ischemia (heart attack).  

Dong Quai

Also known as dang gui or female ginseng, dong quai^[13] (Angelica Sinensis) is a herb that springs in damp Asian mountains (Japan, China, and Korea). The roots of dong quai serve medicinal purposes; people harvest it, converting it into medicinal forms such as powders, tablets, etc. 

Traditional Chinese medicine uses it to treat menstrual cramps, menopause symptoms (hot flashes), and premenstrual symptoms like breast inflammation and tenderness, bloating, and headache. Herbalists also believe this natural medicine (dong quai) can treat dysmenorrhea, premature ejaculation, high blood pressure, and heart diseases. However, not all these uses have been clinically verified. 

Contrary to its use for decreasing uterine muscle tone in non-pregnant women, it has been found to increase tone in pregnant women, increasing the risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy or premature delivery^[14] in later pregnancy. 

Goldenseal

Goldenseal^[15] (Hydrastis Canadensis) is a perennial herb native to North America. It is among the most widely-recognized herbs in the US owing to the myth^[16] that it can prevent a positive drug test result. 

You can find this small single-stemmed plant in areas with shady soil. The herb contains berberine, a compound that destroys bacteria in test tubes; it also kills parasites such as Giardia and yeast infections.

Further, herbalists believe that goldenseal can act as an antibiotic, treat minor wounds and urinary tract infections, and cure sore throats. However, some of these purported uses have not been clinically tested or verified. Its avoidance in pregnancy is justified by its stimulant properties^[17] on the pregnant uterus. 

Goldenseal comes in the form of capsules and tablets. Liquid extracts also exist; people typically combine the herb with echinacea^[18], a Native American herbal remedy for infection. 

Saw Palmetto

Serenoa repens or saw palmetto is a plant with a palm-like structure. It contains berries, which Native Americans used to boost sperm production and treat issues with the urinary tract in the early 20th century. 

Saw palmetto can grow up to 120 inches in warm climates. The herb has berry-producing white flowers; when mature, the berries become brownish-black. Then herbalists dry them for medicinal purposes.

Saw palmetto consists of plant sterols, fatty acids, and flavonoids. Its berries may strengthen the immune system or reduce swelling since they contain polysaccharides. It should be avoided in pregnancy because of its effect on hormones^[19] that may cause irreparable damage to the unborn baby or miscarriage; be aware that it is in many hair products.

Downsides and Safety Tips

Despite the effectiveness of these herbal remedies in treating specific medical conditions, pregnant women should avoid them. For instance, black cohosh^[20] negatively affects the hormones of pregnant women, and it can induce preterm (premature) labor. 

Black cohosh can hinder the maturation of an egg during the menstrual cycle, preventing ovulation. Other side effects of the herb include stomach upset, headache, cramping, and rash. 

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that blue cohosh^[21] causes heart complications and stroke in infants whose parents used the herb while pregnant. Additionally, taking it in large quantities can lead to nausea, high blood pressure, and headaches. 

Dong quai is not left out of the ‘cause-and-effect chain.’ It is among the Chinese herbs to avoid during pregnancy; using the herb when pregnant may contract the uterus, leading to miscarriage. In addition, you should avoid drinking the herb’s essential oil since it contains tiny amounts of carcinogens (cancer-inducing substances).

Since researchers do not have enough information about the estrogenic nature of dong quai, people at risk of developing uterine, breast, or ovarian cancers, or fibroids, should avoid the herb.

People with liver or heart diseases should not take goldenseal without medical advice, and pregnant women should avoid the herb since it can lead to uterine contractions^[22]. 

Finally, the downsides of saw palmetto^[23] include diarrhea, dizziness, and nausea. However, they are rare. Nevertheless, pregnant women should avoid the herb since it can cause both maternal and fetal hormone dysfunction. 

In essence, you should not use any of these herbs without proper medical consultation since the extent of their effects is not certain. Are there safe herbs?

Herbs That Safe For Pregnancy

Fennel

Fennel or Foeniculum vulgare is a perennial herb that takes its roots in the Mediterranean realm. People use it when cooking, and it also has several health benefits. The fennel bulb contains potassium, vitamin C, and minerals like phosphorus, sodium, and calcium, amongst others. 

In addition, fennel contains seeds called ‘saunf.’ Consuming them in small amounts is safe for pregnant women; doing so can prevent anemia, relieve indigestion, and reduce heart diseases. As a diuretic, they help to remove toxins from the body by improving one’s kidney function. 

The first trimester of pregnancy can come with morning sickness, and fennel seeds can reduce the effects. Several changes follow pregnancy, including appetite loss. So, pregnant women can consume fennel seeds to boost their appetite since they encourage healthy digestion.

One paper^[24], however, described effects on the newborn from maternal use of fennel, i.e., preterm delivery and small-for-gestational-age newborns.

Ginger

Zinigbiberacear or ginger is a popular dietary condiment; its aroma is due to ketones, particularly gingerols. Many people believe this perennial plant takes its roots in Southern Asia; it has an edible underground stem, which people use as a spice.

Apart from ginger’s culinary benefits, it promotes health in a few ways^[25]. For instance, gingerol, a component of ginger root, aids efficient digestion. In addition, the herb can reduce constipation and other catalysts of intestinal gas and bloat. 

Pregnant women are not left out of the benefits. The American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)^[26] regards ginger as a permissible remedy for vomiting and nausea. It is safe for pregnant women to consume ginger in reasonable amounts. Apart from that, ginger can help mitigate the effects of morning sickness in pregnant women. 

Milky Oats

Another safe herb to use during pregnancy is milky oats^[27]. These young heads of oat seeds appear during the juicy stage. When you squeeze the seed, a milk-like substance comes out, signifying its ‘juicy’ or milky stage. 

However, that growth stage is transient. Consequently, you must visit the plant regularly if you desire to take the seeds.

Milky oats have several health benefits. For example, they can positively impact the nervous system, so pregnant women who have burnt out can take the herb to recover. It may also be used to great effect with postpartum depression, a growing concern in healthcare. Herbalists also use milky oats to treat heart weaknesses related to nervous system debility. 

Red Raspberry Leaf

As a safe herbal remedy, red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) comes in the form of tea and capsules. The herb comes from the raspberry plant, which sheds its leaves annually. Herbalists believe that taking raspberry leaf tea early in pregnancy can prepare the uterine muscles for labor^[28]. Also, some think its intake helps soften the cervix for delivery. However, there is no concrete evidence backing these claims. 

The Takeaway

It is necessary to establish some ‘hard facts.’ First, natural herbs and herbal preparations are beneficial in some ways, although they also have downsides. Some physicians believe in their effectiveness, so many herbal medicinal products exist globally.    

For women, there are specific herbs and herbal teas to avoid during pregnancy, so before using any herbal preparation or product during pregnancy, it would be best to inform a physician of your intentions to make sure it is safe!

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