Are herbs safe in pregnancy?
Herbs can support and ease different stages of pregnancy. Some herbs are trimester specific while others are not recommended to take at all throughout pregnancy. It is always best to consult a trained practitioner when using herbs (including tea). Here is a Naturopathic guide to the actions of some common herbs that can be used throughout pregnancy to ease symptoms and support different stages.
Raspberry leaf
Used for: Strengthening the uterus in preparation for labour & birth
Shown to:
Promote more effective contractions
Potentially shorten the length of labour
Reduce risk of interventions like forceps
Form: Tea, capsule, or tincture
Raspberry leaf tea:
1 cup per day at 26 weeks
2 cups per day at 30 weeks
3 cups per day at 36 weeks
Clinical note: I highly recommend a raspberry leaf tincture taken from 30 weeks onwards in preparation for birth. I find this the most effective and potent way to support the uterus. Tea is great but towards the end of pregnancy you need to drink lots of it which is unrealistic for most women. It is also important to note that raspberry leaf is high in tannins which binds to iron and prevents it from being absorbed. If you are low in iron and taking an iron supplement you need to separate your raspberry leaf (tea or tincture) and iron by 2 hours.
Ginger
Used for: nausea and vomiting
Form: capsules, tea, fresh root or in food products
Dose: the most researched 1000 mg/day (total) split into 250 mg x 4 doses/day
Note: effective alternative to antiemetic medication
Product recommendation: The Ginger People - juices & lollies
Reishi mushroom
Used for: sleep, anxiety, immune modulation, stress reduction, promoting calm babies
Form: dried powder, capsule, or tincture
Note: traditionally sought after in many cultures as it is believed if women took Reishi during their pregnancy they would have calm, alert, content and emotionally grounded babies. They are referred to as “reishi babies”.
Passionflower
Used for: anxiety, insomnia, racing thoughts, restlessness
Form: capsule, tincture or as an ingredient in magnesium powders
Shown to: work by modulating GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) activity in the brain to calm the nervous system.
Chamomile
Used for: Sleep, anxiety, digestion
Evidence: Mild sedative and anti-inflammatory properties
Form: Tea or tincture
Nettle leaf
Used for: Mineral nourishment (iron, calcium, magnesium), mild diuretic
Evidence: Nutrient rich; used traditionally for strengthening during pregnancy
Form: Tea or infusion
Safety: Avoid nettle root
Clinical note: Combine with raspberry leaf in pregnancy teas