Herbs to avoid in Pregnancy
If like me, you love natural products and herbal teas, you might be surprised to see a number of your beloved herbs on my avoid list while pregnant.
These are mainly because they are “uterine stimulants”, so they cause your womb muscles to contract or strengthen – this may be helpful during a period, but not what you want during pregnancy.
List of herbs to Avoid:
- Ashwagandha
- Agnus Castus/ Chaste Berry
- Aloe Vera
- Angelica Root
- Bearberry
- Borage (evening primrose)
- Calendula
- Catnip
- Celery Seed
- Costus
- Crampbark
- Coltsfoot
- Comfrey
- Damask Rose
- Elecampane
- Feverfew
- Goldenseal
- Gravel Root
- Goji
- Hemp Agrimony
- Hyssop
- Japanese Ginseng
- Juniper
- Lemon Grass*
- Liquorice Root
- Lovage
- Meadowsweet
- Motherwort
- Mistletoe
- Raspberry (avoid in 1st&2nd trimester)
- Red Clover
- Rosemary*
- St John’s Wort
- Schisandra
- Senna
- Turmeric*
- Thyme*
- Vervain
- White Willow
- Yellow Doc
- Yarrow
*Denotes herbs acceptable in culinary form but to be avoided in large therapeutic dosage.