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Early
pregnancy is a special time of growth for the foetus. During pregnancy, even
some normally benign herbs act in a negative way on the body. An example of
a normally benign herb is aloe juice. It should not be used internally as a
laxative during pregnancy because its purgative actions might create unwanted
contractions. The same is true of rhubarb root. The only universally recognised
herb and oil that is considered safe during pregnancy is Chamomile herb and
Mandarin oil though with the oil you should check first with a qualified
practitioner or your midwife. However, here is a guide to herbs that are
contra-indicated through the stages of pregnancy.
HERBS
TO AVOID DURING EARLY PREGNANCY- Do not take these herbs in early pregnancy:
raspberry leaf tea, fenugreek, vervain. It is safe and useful to use raspberry
tea in the last two months of pregnancy, and to use the aerial parts of vervain
to stimulate contractions during labour. In early pregnancy, do not use
therapeutic amounts of these three normally benign herbs- sage, thyme, or
fennel- although it is absolutely safe to use thyme, sage, and fennel in cooking
during the entire pregnancy period.
ESSENTIAL
OILS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY- Pennyroyal oil should be avoided at all cost.
Many herbalists believe the herb itself can safely be used, and that pennyroyal
has a bad reputation because the oil is dangerous in pregnancy. Other uterine
stimulating essential oils that must be avoided are essential oils of basil,
cinnamon, chamomile, myrrh, celery, and celery seed.
AVOID
COMPLETELY- These herbs are uterine stimulators: angelica, (bark) elder tree,
goldenseal, juniper, lavender, motherwort, primrose, rue, shepherd's purse,
tansy, vervain (except during labour), and wood betony. The Chinese herb san qi,
also called Panax notoginseng or pseudoginseng, has an adverse effect on the
foetus. Note this is not Panax ginseng (Korean, Chinese ginseng) or Panax
quinquefolius (American ginseng). The only safe ginseng to take during pregnancy
is Siberian Ginseng though you should discuss this with your practitioner first.
