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:

1. Ashwagandha
2. Agnus Castus/ Chaste Berry
3. Aloe Vera
4. Angelica Root
5. Bearberry
6. Borage (evening primrose)
7. Calendula
8. Catnip
9. Celery Seed
10. Costus
11. Crampbark
12. Coltsfoot
13. Comfrey
14. Damask Rose
15. Elecampane
16. Feverfew
17. Goldenseal
18. Gravel Root
19. Goji
20. Hemp Agrimony
21. Hyssop
22. Japanese Ginseng
23. Juniper
24. Lemon Grass*
25. Liquorice Root
26. Lovage
27. Meadowsweet
28. Motherwort
29. Mistletoe
30. Raspberry (avoid in 1st&2nd trimester)
31. Red Clover
32. Rosemary*
33. St John’s Wort
34. Schisandra
35. Senna
36. Turmeric*
37. Thyme*
38. Vervain
39. White Willow
40. Yellow Doc
41. Yarrow

*Denotes herbs acceptable in culinary form but to be avoided in large therapeutic dosage.