Herbs During Pregnancy

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303-718-1554

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cheryl.furer@msn.com

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PHONE

303-718-1554

EMAIL

cheryl.furer@msn.com

OPENING HOURS

By Appointment Only

Written By: Cheryl Furer

Herbs are foods that we have evolved eating, cooking with, and preserving food with over the centuries. We have also used herbs as medicine; many modern day medicines have found the medicinal properties from an herb. For example, modern day aspirin originally was made from white willow bark. The key ingredient, salicylic acid, is now made synthetically and produced as aspirin.

Herbs can be a great nutritional source during pregnancy. They can also be used as a preventative or used to help control a problem. Herbs should be taken with respect and knowledge. It is recommend only using edible herbs or herbs in tea. Herbal tinctures and capsules should be used only under guidance of an herbal expert. Some herbs should avoided completely during pregnancy. Below is a list of common herbs that are helpful or should be avoided during pregnancy.

*Even safe herbs should be avoided or use sparingly in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Safe herbs – these herbs can be taken throughout pregnancy, but also remember to keep variety in your herbs. Avoid taking anything every day.

COMMON NAME	LATIN NAME	USES
Alfalfa	Medicago Sativa	High in protein, Vitamins A, D, E, B6, and K; mineralscalcium, iron, magnesium. Drink in tea.
Burdock root; Gobo	Arctium lappa	Liver strengthener; Urinary support; helps balance blood sugar Buy fresh and use in stir fry; or dry as a tea
Chamomile	Anthemis nobilis; Matricaria chamomilla	Aids digestion, helps with nausea; helps with sleep; high in calcium. Drink as tea or use as a bath enhancer. *If you have a history of hay fever, use with caution.
Dandelion Root and Greens	Taraxacum Officinale	Digestive aid, liver and kidney strengthener; can help with nausea. Sauté or eat greens fresh. Root can be used as a tea or replacement for coffee. Combine with Burdock to balance flavor
Ginger Root	Zingiber officinale	Aids with morning, sea, or car sickness and digestive problems. Respiratory support during a cold. Drink as tea or add to cooking
Kelp; Kombu	Laminaria spp.	Great source of iodine and other trace minerals. Add to soups, sauté, or as tea
Lemon Balm	Melissa officinalis	Calms the mind and the body; reduces tension; aids in digestion; helps reduce allergies. Drink as tea or fresh in salads and soups
Nettle	Urtica Dioica	Rich in calcium and iron; Aids in kidney function; strengthens blood vessels. Eat as a steamed green or drink as tea
Oatstraw	Avena Sativa	Gentle relaxant; good source of calcium and magnesium. Sourced from the young stalk where oatmeal is from. Tea
Peppermint	Mentha piperita	Digestive aid- can help with nausea. Tea or fresh with dessert
Red Raspberry Leaves	Rubus Idaeus	Tones uterine muscles and high in iron. Although this is "the" herb for pregnancy. It is recommend to take breaks from it every so often. Perhaps the tea every other day or 4 days on and 2-3 off.
Rose hips	Rosa Canina	High in vitamin C; Circulatory and Immune system support. Tea
Yellow Dock	Rumex Crispus	Liver support and high in iron; Can help with constipation. Tea

The following herbs should be avoided during pregnancy or only used under the care of a skilled
herbalist:

COMMON NAME	LATIN NAME	USES
Aloe	Aloe vera	Stimulates the bowels which could trigger the vagus nerve to start contractions.
Angelica	Angelica archangelica, A. sylvestris	Promotes blood flow to the uterus; Causes uterine contractions; can help expel the placenta; Balances menstrual flow.
Black Cohosh	Cimicifuga racemosa	Uterine stimulant, yet also can be a uterine relaxant
Blue Cohosh	Caulophyllum thalictroides	Uterine stimulant; Promotes menstruation.
Cascara sagrada	Rhamnus purshiana	Stimulates the bowels which could trigger the vagus nerve to start contractions.
Motherwort	Leonurus cardiaca	Promotes menstruation; stimulates childbirth.
Senna	Cassua senna	Stimulates the bowels which could trigger the vagus nerve to start contractions.
Yarrow	Achillea millefolium	Uterine stimulant; Often used with Shepherd's purse to stop hemorrhage after childbirth.
Sage		Decreases milk flow. *Be aware of this if breastfeeding during Thanksgiving and Winter Holidays.
Parsley		High in nutrients, but can decrease milk flow if eaten to much.

References:

Gladstar, R. (1993). Herbal healing for women: simple home remedies for women of all ages. New York,
NY: Simon & Schuster.

Romm, A. J. (2003). The natural pregnancy book: herbs, nutrition, and other holistic choices. Berkeley,
CA: Celestial Arts.

***This is general information. Please speak to your health care provider about your unique health needs.

CHERYL FURER

Registered Midwife, CHom.

“I believe in continuity of care, which means that as your midwife, I’m here to support you throughout your pregnancy, birth, up until your baby is a toddler (really!) and beyond…”