Pregancy & Lactation Please keep in mind that all the information here has been gathered for research purposes. You should continue to research all treatments for a variety of contradictions and allergic reactions. Before beginning any treatment you MUST have your doctor's consent.
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Aloe AVOID
Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa)
Safe For: Pregnancy, Lactation
Used for: a nutrient (vitamins a,b,c,d,e,k, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, sodium and zinc) also used to build up breast milk.
Angelica (angelica archangelica) AVOID
Barberry (berberis vulgaris) AVOID
Bayberry ( Myrica Cerifera)
Safe for: Pregnancy
Used for: Tonic for Uterus, aids digestion, bowel inflammation, Restores arrested lochial (the discharge of blood, tissue and mucus after childbirth), treats prolapsed uterus, colic, jaundice, thrush.
Black Cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa)
Safe For: Delivery
Used for: Promotes quick and easy labor, dissipates false labor
*Some say to start a few weeks before you are due, others say it will bring on labor with one use if you are ready/close to ready in as little as 30 minutes especially when combined with blue cohosh.
Black Haw: (Viburnum prunifolium)
Safe For: pregnant woman
Used For: False labor pains, threatened miscarriage, hypertension, asthma, dysmenorrhoea, uterine colic, uterine & postpartum hemorrhage, menstrual cramps, reduces fever, leg cramps at night.
Dosage: 10-30 drops 3 times a day ( prone to miscarriage- use 2-3 weeks before possible timeframes and 2-3 weeks after any possible miscarriage)
*One of, if not the best herbs for threatened miscarriage.
*Concerns because it contains an aspirin like compound (compound our "modern" aspirin is derived from) and because of such it may lead to birth defects if taken during the early stages of pregnancy.
*Discontinue if you experience ringing in the ears or upset stomach.
Blessed Thistle ( cnicus benedictus)
Safe For: Lactating Woman
Used for: Increasing flow of breast milk. Used for female system related headaches.
Blue Cohosh ( caulophyllum thalictroides)
Safe For: Delivery
Used for: During last month of pregnancy to ensure an easy delivery, helps dilate uterus during birth. Can be used to encourage afterbirth.
*Some say this herb will bring on labor in as little as 30 minutes especially when used with Black Cohosh. Please keep in mind that it is best NOT to force labor to start and Best to let the pregnancy to run its full course in nearly all cases.
Blue Vervain ( verbena hastata)
Safe For: Lactating
Used for: Increasing breast milk, will also increase menstrual flow.
Borage (borago officinalis)
Safe for: Lactating
Used for: Increasing breast milk***do not use for more than a week at a time***
Bugle weed ( lycopus virginicus) AVOID
Burdock (arctium lappa)
for jaundice in newborns?
Butchers Broom (ruscus aculeatus)
Safe for: Pregnancy?
Used For: Pregnancy related cramps
*not much information to confirm or deny this claim
Cajeput Oil (melaluca minor-leucadendron) AVOID
Cape Aloe ( aloe spicata) AVOID IN PREGNANCY AND LACTATION
Catnip Leaf (nepeta cataria)
Safe for: infants, (conflicting info for pregnancy due to high volatile oils)
Used for: Gentle sedative. Used for pain related to colic.
Carpenter's Square / Figwort (scrophularia nodosa)
Root
Dosage:10-30 drops 3X a day
Safe for: Post natal
Used for: Suppressed lochia discharge-vaginal discharge that occurs during the 1st weeks after childbirth
Chaste Berry ( vitax angus-castus)
Dosage 10-30 drops 3x a day
Safe for: lactation
Used for: Stimulates the pituitary and the production of progesterone which will cause the corpus luteum to remove (material around the ovum). Normalizes the female sex hormone activity, helps regain natural hormonal balance after birth control pills, Increases breast milk.
Chlorophyll
Safe For:
Used For: Anemia, preventing hemorrhaging during labor
Dosage: Take 1 cup every hour for 5 hours (during crisis), To build up blood before delivery 1 tablespoon 3 to 4 times a day for two weeks....this is also the dosage for anemia.
Coltsfoot (tussilago farfara) AVOID - can cause liver damage in fetus
Crampbark ( viburnum opulus)
bark
Dosage: 30-60 drops 3x a day
Safe for: Pregnancy, lactation
Used for: Preventing Miscarriage due to nerve problems, menstrual pains, labor pains, Ovarian pains, PMS, Excessive blood loss during menstruation.
Cloves dried flower buds, oil (caryophyllus aromaticus) AVOID
**some state it can be used for infantile convulsions***
Dandelion Root (Taraxacum Officinale)
Dosage: 10-30 drops 3 times a day
Safe for: Post Pregnancy
Used for: Suppresses milk flow
Dill Seeds (anethum Graveolens)
Dosage: 2-10 drops 3X a day
Safe for: Lactation, infants, children
Used for: Increases milk in mothers, colic in infants and children.
Dong Quai root (angelica sinensis)
Safe for: Labor and Delivery?
Used for: Eases delivery, reduces pain. Contains a substance that will either slow down or speed up contractions as needed. Calms fetus.
**I have heard some conflicting information about usage during pregnancy**
**As it can encourage menses, do not use during pregnancy**
Evening Primrose Leaf (oenothera biennis)
Safe for: Labor and Delivery
Used for: to encourage labor (in oil form) (by causing bowel contractions)
False Unicorn Root (helonias dioica)
Safe for: pregnancy
Used for: to increase chance of pregnancy, to prevent miscarriage-however it may cause miscarriage if fetus is weak. Morning sickness
Fennel Seed (foeniculum vulgare)
Safe for: lactation
Used for: promotes the increase of breast milk. Helps jaundice (in infants?)
Fenugreek Seed (trigonella foenum-graecum)
Safe for: Lactation
Used for: Increased milk productioncaution-stimulates breast development as well.
Feverfew herb (chrysanthemum parthenium)
Safe for: Delivery of placenta
Used for: delivery of placenta after childbirth
**AVOID WHILE PREGNANT, as it is a uterine stimulant**
Garlic Clove ( allium sativum)
Safe for: Small amounts during pregnancy (mildly promotes menstruation)
Used for: Increases resistance to infections, antibiotic, anti viral, Can be used along spinal column and chest of infants for pneumonia**USE CAUTION as external use can burn skin easily**
Gentian root (gentian lutea) **AVOID**
Ginger Root (zingiber officinale)
Safe for: Pregnancy in small doses (high doses encourage menstruation)
Used for: morning sickness, digestion (enzymes are more powerful than that in papaya)
Ginko Leaf (ginko biloba) **AVOID** recent studies show it may cause birth defects
Golden Bough/ American Mistletoe (phoradendron flavescens) **AVOID**
Golden Seal Root (hydrastis candensis) **AVOID** stimulates involuntary muscles
Gotu Kola ( centella asiatica / hydrocotyl asiatica) **AVOID** encourages menses
Gravel Root (eupatorium purpureum)
Safe for: pregnancy
Used for: may help prevent miscarriage, bladder irritations during pregnancy, lack of tone in womb, womb irritability and prolapsed uterus. **Used for suppressed menses as well**
Horehound (marrubium vulgare)
Safe for: Delivery of afterbirth
Used for: Delivery of afterbirth
Ho Shou Wu/Fo Ti root (polygonum multiflorum)
Safe for: Preconception Only
Used for: Increase chance of fertility, formation of corpus luteum.
Indian Tobacco/Lobelia herb (lobelia inflata)
Dosage: 5-15 drops 3x a day
Safe for: Pregnancy when fetus is strong*
Used for: Will abort dead or weakened fetus, Used for mother when she is weak but fetus is strongcauses mother to strengthen and heal.
Inkberry/Poke Root (phytolacca Species) **AVOID**
Juniper Berry (juniperus communis) **AVOID**
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) dried ariel parts
Safe for: lactation and infants. In pregnancy use only in moderation
Used for: Intestinal gas, helps one sleep, anxiety, depression, headaches, morning sickness, simple children's illnesses.
**Use caution as only a little is needed, too much can cause a miscarriage**
Licorice Root ( glycyrrhiza glabra) **AVOID**
Ma Huang/Chinese Ephedra ( ephedra sinica) **AVOID**
Male Fern rhizome ( aspidium filix-mas) **AVOID**
Marshmallow Root ( althaea officinalis)
Safe for: Lactation, infants
Used for: Bringing in mothers milk, breast inflammation, helps infants cut teeth.
Mayapple Rhizome ( podophyllum peltatum) **AVOID**
Milk Thistle Seed ( silybum marianum)
Safe for: Lactation
Used for: encouraging milk flow
**NEVER USE WHILE PREGNANT**
Motherwort herb (leonurus cardiaca)
Safe for: labor and delivery
Used for: inducing labor
Myrrh Resin (commiphora myrrha) **AVOID**
Nettle herb/root (urtica dioica/urtica urens)
Safe for: Pregnancy, lactation
Used for: vitamin source, anemia, cramps, increasing mother's milk
Parsley leaf ( petroselinum sativum) **AVOID**
Partridge Berry herb ( mitchella repens)
Safe for: Pregnancy
Used for: pregnancy tonic to prevent miscarriage regulates contractions.
**Caution- can also be used to encourage menses**
Pennyroyal herb (hedeoma pulegioides) **AVOID**
Peppermint Leaf ( mentha piperita)
Safe for: pregnancy
Used for: Morning sickness, motion sickness and vomiting.
**Note: mints should be used sparingly if at all during pregnancy, avoid oils**
Plaintain Leaf ( plantago species)
Safe for: pregnancy
Used for: Internally and externally for hemmeroids
Prickly ash bark ( xanthoxylum americanum) **AVOID**
Pumpkin Seed (curcurbita pepo)
Safe for: Pregnancy, children
Used for: nausea, motion sickness. For those who wish to use male fern this is a substitute which is safer although less reliable
Red Clover leaf and flower ( trifolium pratense)
Safe for: Lactation
Used for: encourages milk flow
**Do not confuse with white clover which must be avoided**
Red raspberry leaf / American Red Raspberry( rubus idaeus/rubus strigosus)
Safe for: pregnancy, lactation
Used for: Morning sickness, uterine cramps, vomiting, eases labor pain, Prepares womb for birthing. Prevents miscarriage, Cleanses and prepares breasts for milk, eases hormonal effects during PMS and pregnancy.
**Other varieties have been known to cause abortions, please use only species listed**
Rosemary Leaf ( rosemarinus officinalis) **AVOID OIL- Use herb for culinary purposes only**
Rue herb (ruta graveolens) **AVOID**
Sassafras root bark ( sassafras albidum) **AVOID**
Schizandra Berry ( Schizandra chinensis)
Safe for: Labor and Delivery
Used for: Promoting Labor
Shepherd's Purse Herb( capsella bursa-pastoris)
Safe for: Labor and Delivery
Used for: promoting labor
Skunk Cabbage Root ( symplocarpus foetidus)
Safe for: Pregnancy, labor and delivery
Used for: Controlling spasms and convulsions during pregnancy, labor and delivery
Slippery Elm Bark (ulmus fulva)
Safe for: Pregnancy, Infants and children
Used for: sore throats, expectorant, respiratory infections, bronchitis, coughs, coats mucous membranes along the GI tract, ulcers, diarrhea, diaper rash, infections, vaginal irritations, ease childbirth, reduce the pains of labor.
Slippery Elm is so full of nutrients it can actually sustain life for some time. (http://www.drksmith.com/slipperyelm.htm)
It can be used as a food for infants who are ill.
St. John's Wort/Kalamath herb or flower ( hypericum perforatum)
Safe for: Pregnancy, Labor, Delivery, Post Partum
Used for: Pain relief ( especially for pain at the base of the spine), insomnia, pain relief following childbirth. Used internally and externally.
Use in oil for massaging.
Tansy flower (tanacetum vulgare) **AVOID**
Thyme Leaf (thymus vulgaris) **AVOID OIL use herb for culinary purposes only)
Turkey Rhubarb root ( rheum palmatum) **AVOID**
Uva ursa leaf (arctostaphylos uva-ursa)
Safe for: Minimal use in pregnancy, post-partum
Used for: Helps strengthen urinary passages, pain from kidney and bladder stones, after childbirth to prevent infections.
**Large doses cuts down circulation to uterus**
Virginia Snake Root (aristolochia serpentaria) **AVOID**
Wild Cherry Inner Bark (prunus serotina)
Safe for: labor
Used for: pain relief during labor
Wild Yam Root ( dioscorea villosa)
Safe for: pregnancy
Used for: pain, restlessness, preventing miscarriage, as a cold tea for after pains.
**CAUTION- do not confuse with oriental wild yam treatments**
Last Updated On: September 6th, 2002