Herb
|
Reason to Avoid
|
Aloe Vera
|
The leaves are strongly purgative and should not
be taken internally.
|
Arbor vitae (Thuja
occidentalis)
|
A uterine and menstrual stimulant that could
damage the fetus.
|
Autumn crocus (Colichicum
autumnale)
|
Can affect cell division and lead to birth defects
|
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
|
Contains high levels of berberine, known to
stimulate uterine contractions.
|
Basil oil
|
A uterine stimulant; use only during labour
|
Beth root (Trillium erectum)
|
A uterine stimulant; use only during labour
|
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga
racemosus)
|
May lead to premature contractions; avoid unless
under professional guidance. Safe to use during
childbirth.
|
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria
canadensis)
|
A uterine stimulant that in quite small doses also
causes vomiting.
|
Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum
thalictroides)
|
A uterine stimulant to avoid unless under
professional guidance. Safe to use during
childbirth.
|
Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
|
Causes uterine contractions so should be avoided
during pregnancy; in parts of Europe it is given
after the birth to prevent blood loss.
|
Bugleweed (Lycopus
virginicus)
|
Interferes with hormone production in the
pituitary gland, so best avoided.
|
Clove oil
|
A uterine stimulant used only during labour.
|
Comfrey (Symphytum
officinale)
|
Contains toxic chemicals that will cross the
placenta; do not take internally.
|
Cotton root (Gossypium
herbaceum)
|
Uterine stimulant traditionally given to encourage
contractions during a difficult labour, but rarely
used medicinally today.
|
Devil's claw
(Harpagophytum
procumbens)
|
Uterine stimulant, oxytocic.
|
Dong quai (Angelica
polymorpha var. sinensis)
|
Uterine and menstrual stimulant, best avoided
during pregnancy; ideal after childbirth.
|
False unicorn root
(Chamaelirium luteum)
|
A hormonal stimulant to avoid unless under
professional guidance.
|
Feverfew (Tanacetum
parthenium)
|
Uterine stimulant; may cause premature
contractions.
|
Golden seal (Hydrastis
canadensis)
|
Uterine stimulant; may lead to premature
contractions but safe during childbirth.
|
Greater celandine
(Chelidonium majus)
|
Uterine stimulant; may cause premature
contractions
|
Juniper and juniper oil
(Juniperus communis)
|
A uterine stimulant; use only during labour.
|
Lady's mantle (Alchemilla
xanthoclora)
|
A uterine stimulant; use only in labour.
|
Liferoot (Senecio aureus)
|
A uterine stimulant containing toxic chemicals
that will cross the placenta.
|
Mistletoe (Viscum album)
|
A uterine stimulant containing toxic chemicals
that may cross the placenta.
|
Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris)
|
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth
defects; avoid unless under professional
guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.
|
American pennyroyal
(Hedeoma pulegioides)
|
Reputed uterine stimulant to be avoided during
pregnancy.
|
European pennyroyal
(Mentha pulegium)
|
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth
defects; avoid unless under professional
guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.
|
Peruvian bark (Cinchona
officinalis)
|
Toxic; excess may cause blindness and coma.
Used to treat malaria and given during pregnancy
only to malaria sufferers under professional
guidance.
|
Pokeroot (Phytolacca
decandra)
|
May cause birth defects.
|
Pseudoginseng (Panax
notoginseng)
|
May cause birth defects.
|
Pulsatilla (Anemone pulsatilla)
|
Menstrual stimulant best avoided during
pregnancy; limited use during lactation.
|
Rue (Ruta graveolens)
|
Uterine and menstrual stimulant; may cause
premature contractions.
|
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
.
|
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
|
Southernwood (Artemisia
abrotanum)
|
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth
defects; avoid unless under professional
guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.
|
Squill (Urginea maritima)
|
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth
defects.
|
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
|
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth
defects.
|
Wild yam (Diascorea villosa)
|
A uterine stimulant to avoid unless under
professional guidance; safe during labour.
|
Wormwood (Artemisia
absinthum)
|
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth
defects; avoid unless under professional
guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.
|
