Useful Herbs to take during Pregnancy

Useful Herbs to take during Pregnancy

• Herbs listed as uterine stimulants, anthraquinone laxatives and/or abortifacients should be avoided due to their stimulating effects on smooth muscle which could result in a potential miscarriage.
• Herbs listed as emmenagogues, aid in promoting and regulating menstruation, and therefore should be avoided during pregnancy.
• Herbs containing alkaloids, bitter principles or essential oils should not be used due to the effects these may have on bodily functions in both mother and baby.

Aloe
(Aloe spp.) anthraquinone laxative

American Mandrake
(Podophyllum peltatum) uterine stimulant; abortifacient

Barberry
(Berberis vulgaris) alkaloids and bitter principles

Black Cohosh
(Cimicifuga racemosa) uterine stimulant

Blue Cohosh
(Caulophyllum thalictroides) uterine stimulant

Bloodroot
(Sanguinaria canadensis) uterine stimulant; alkaloids and bitter principles

Buckthorn
(Rhamnus cathartica) anthraquinone laxative

Cascara Sagrada
(Rhamnus purshiana) anthraquinone laxative; uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

Cayenne
(Capsicum frutescens) uterine stimulant; essential oils

Celandine
(Chelidonium majus) alkaloids and bitter principles

Cotton-root Bark
(Gossypium herbaceum) emmenogogue

Docks
(Rumex crispus) anthraqinone laxative

Ephedra
(Ephedra vulgaris) alkaloids and bitter principles

Fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare) uterine stimulant; essential oils

Goldenseal
(Hydrastis canadensis) uterine stimulant; alkaloids and bitter principles

Juniper
(Juniperus communis) essential oils and bitter principles

Lady's Mantle
(Alchemilla vulgaris) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

Lavender
(Lavandula officinalis) essential oils and bitter principles

Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

Marjoram
(Oreganum vulgare) essential oils

Male Fern
(Dryopteris filix-mas) uterine stimulant; bitter principles

Mayapple
(Podophyllum peltatum) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

Meadow Saffron
(Colchicum autumnale) bitter principles; laxative; emetic

Mistletoe
(Viscum album) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

Oregano
(Origanum vulgare) essential oils

Passion Flower
(Passiflora incarnata) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; essential oil

Pennyroyal
(Mentha pulegium) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

Periwinkle
(Vinca rosea) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

Poke Root
(Phytolacca americana) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

Rhubarb
(Rheum spp.) emmenogogue;uterine stimulant; alkaloids

Rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oils

Rue
(Ruta graveolens) emmenogogue

Sage
(Salvia officinalis) uterine stimulant; essential oils; bitter principles

Senna
(cassia acutifolia) anthraquinone laxative; emmenogogue; uterine stimulant

Tansy
(Tanacetum vulgare) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

Thuja
(Thuja occidentalis) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; essential oils

Thyme
(Thymus vulgaris) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; essential oils

Wild Cherry
(Prunus serotina) uterine stimulant; bitter principles

Wormwood
(Artemisia spp.) uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium) emmenogogue; essentials oils; bitter principles