Medicinal herbs contraindicated in pregnancy

Pregnancy is a particular and delicate physiological situation, during which it is necessary to pay great attention to the use of drugs, medicinal herbs and supplements in general. The widespread awareness of the potential dangers of some pharmacological therapies on the health of the fetus, pushes many women to limit the use of synthetic drugs during pregnancy. At the same time, many pregnant women approach non-pharmacological treatments with the often unfounded belief that natural products are safer than synthetic drugs.

In particular, natural remedies are sought against rather common ailments in the months of pregnancy, such as nausea, insomnia, constipation, urinary infections and low back pain. Often these natural treatments are greeted with excess of enthusiasm, forgetting that during pregnancy the use of medicinal herbs and derivatives, including herbal products, should be avoided or in any case limited to cases of actual need and on medical prescription.

Second, the bulletin of "Aifa Farmacovigilanza News - n. 12/13 - June 2005:

Always, and in particular in the 1st trimester, the use of medicinal herbs and derivatives, including that of herbal products, should be avoided or in any case limited to cases of real necessity and on medical prescription.
• The most risky plant substances are essential oils (also present in propolis), and alkaloids, all substances with very high diffusibility and with a low therapeutic index, therefore potentially toxic for the embryo and fetus or active on uterine contractility, therefore potentially at risk of miscarriage.
• Caffeine and nicotine easily reduce placental circulation and for this reason smoking and the intake of many coffees are contraindicated during pregnancy, as well as other neuro / cardiostimulating or neuro / cardiotoxic plants such as ephedra, nutmeg, bitter orange , etc.
• The following medicinal plants are especially contraindicated: Cinchona, Absinthe, Rue, anthraquinone laxatives (Aloe, Cascara, Senna, etc.), Pomegranate, Chenopodium, Juniper, Parsley, Mint, Aromatic Calamus, Cinnamon, Hyssop, Sage and in any case all oils essential especially those rich in ketones.Some increase uterine contractility with the risk of abortion, others are directly toxic to the fetus or embryo, such as plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Borage, Farfara, Comfrey, Farfaraccio, Senecione, etc.).
• Caution should also be exercised with plants that are proven to be effective such as, for example, ginger whose efficacy against nausea and vomiting has been demonstrated in a case-control study and in some randomized controlled trials. Compared with placebo, ginger causes a significant reduction in pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Given, in spite of this, the presence in the ginger rhizome of substances with mutagenic activity, it is advisable to avoid its intake.

Below is the list of medicinal herbs that are contraindicated in pregnancy (Ed Gioacchino Calapai, Giovanni Polimeni, and Achille P. Caputi).

Italian name Latin name Indication Reason why it is contraindicated in pregnancy Chaste tree Vitex agnus castus Premenstrual syndrome Possible androgenizing effects Devil's claw Harpagophytum procumbens Inflammatory joint diseases Possible action on the uterine musculature Burdock Arctium lappa Acne, dermopathies, hepatic insufficiency Possible action on the uterine muscles Chamomile Matricaria chamomilla Mild states of anxiety and gastrointestinal disturbances It stimulates the contractions of the uterus Roman Chamomile Anthemis nobilis Chronic gastritis Stimulates uterine contractions Centella Gotu kola Venous insufficiency of the lower limbs Possible releasing action on the uterine muscles Black Cohosh Black Cohosh Disorders of menopause It dilates the uterine vessels Ginseng Panax ginseng States of fatigue Neurasthenia Interference with the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis Idraste Hydrastis canadensis Vaginitis Irritating to the uterine lining Hypericum Hypericum perforatum Mild to mild depression MAOS inhibitor stimulates contractions of the uterus Kava kava Piper methysticum States of anxiety It can cause loss of tone of the uterus Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra Gastritis and ulcer Mineralocorticoid effects Momordica Momordica charantia Reduction of carbohydrate absorption It stimulates the contractions of the uterus Nettle Urtica dioica Inflammatory joint diseases It stimulates the uterine muscles Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium Migraine prophylaxis It dilates the uterine vessels Pausinystalia yohimbe Pausinystalia yohimbe Disorders of erection It can increase blood pressure Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Cirrhosis, lithiasis Prokinetic activity Schizandra (Chinese) Schisandra chinensis Antistress Stimulates uterine contractions Celery Apium graveolens Nephropathies It stimulates the contractions of the uterus Tribulus Tribulus Anabolic It can interfere with fetal development Clover Trifolium pratense Adjuvant hormone replacement therapy in menopause Activity similar to that of phytoestrogens (estrogen receptor agonist / antagonist) Uncaria tomentosa Uncaria tomentosa Inflammatory joint diseases There is insufficient data Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Cystitis and urethritis Vasoconstrictor Witania (Indian Ginseng) Withania somnifera Anti-inflammatory Analgesic Stimulates uterine contractions
Select plant Fir Acacia Acerola Sorrel Yarrow Yarrow Yarrow Aconito Adatoda Garlic Agnocasto Agrimonia Alchemilla Alkekengi Aloe Altea Witch Hazel Ammi or Visnaga Pineapple Andrographis Anemone Pulsatilla Angelica Anise Star Anise Japanese Star Anise Bitter Orange Bitter Areca Arnica Harpagophytum Arpagophyte Artemisia Asteragus Basil Asparagus Asparagus Peruvian Asparagus Asparagus Asparagus Hawthorn Boldo Borage Shepherd's Purse Boswellia Bucco Butea superba Cocoa Coffee Cajeput Calamus Calamus Marigold Camedrio Chamomile Roman Chamomile Camphor Cinnamon Ceylon Maidenhair Capuchin Artichoke Cardamom Cardiac Thistle Asian Thistle Carvi Cascara Cassia Catecu Catha Cabbage Celandine Chicory Centaurea Cinnamon Cypress Celandine Chives Cypress Coca Cola Colchico Combreto Condurango Comfrey Coriander Cranberry Barberry American Chrysanthemum Cumin Turmeric Damiana Digital Dioscorea Drosera Dulcamara Dunalilella Echinacea Eder a Ephedra Elenio Eleutherococcus Helichrysum Evening primrose Horsetail Alfalfa Erica Euphrasia Erisimo Escolzia Eucalyptus Farfara Farfaraccio Calabar bean Fenugreek Fennel Phytolacca Frangola Ash Fumaria Japanese Mushrooms Galega Ganoderma lucidum Garcinia Cambogia Mulberry Gentian Broom Ginkgo Ginkgo Guipana Guipana Gynestra Ginkgo Hibelia Gymnasium Hibiscus Guarulp St. John's Wort Horse Chestnut Ispaghul Hyssop Jaborandi Kava kava Konjac Laminaria Cherry Laurel Lavender Lemongrass Lespedeza Lovage Icelandic Lichen Lemon Flax Lippia Licorice Lobelia Hops Maca Marjoram Maize Mallow Manna Marrubio Marrubio d "water Matè Melaleuca Meliloto American Lemon balm Myrtle Myrama Walnut Nutmeg Walnut vomica Olive tree Meadowsweet Ononide Opuntia Oregano Orthosiphon Nettle Poppy Papaya Parietaria Feverfew Passiflora Chilli Perilla Periwinkle Phyllanthus Plantain Picrorhiza Pilosella Pino Pisci dia Podofillo Polygala Grapefruit Parsley Psyllium Pueraria mirifica Butcher's broom Pygeum Quassia Oak Rhubarb Ratania Rauwolfia currant Castor bean Rhodiola Rosehip Rosemary Rue Willow Sarsaparilla Sage Elderberry Sassafras Sedum Ergot Senna Serenoa Repens Soybean Solidago Tansy Taraxus Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind Tamarindo Ursina Valerian Vanilla Mullein Verbena Veronica Viburnum Vinca Pansy Mistletoe Vine Withania Yohimbe Saffron Ginger Pumpkin Select disease Juvenile Acne Rosacea Tinnitus Tinnitus Aerophagia Tendon Affections Afonia Aphthae Algias Functional Halitosis Breastfeeding Allergy Anemia Anguish Anxiety Arteriosclerosis Asthrosis Asthrosis Arthritis Arthritis Men Sex Woman Blepharitis and Conjunctivitis Eye bags Bronchitis Gallstones Kidney stones Salivary stones Baldness Androgenetic Candida Fragile hair Caries Headache Cellulitis Motion sickness Cystitis C limaterio Cholecystopathy High cholesterol Ulcerative colitis Colonoscopy Contusions Hematoma Convalescence Couperose Depression Dermatitis Diaper dermatitis Diabetes Diarrhea Erectile dysfunction Dyslipidemia Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Disturbances of vision Hemorrhoids Epistaxis Herethism Heart disease Fever Fibromyalgia Gastro-intestinal disease Flatulence Hypertension Fibromyalgia Gastrointomnia Jaundice Laryngitis Renal lithiasis Toothache Sore throat Thinness Menopause Meteorism Mononucleosis Alzheimer's disease Crohn's disease Nausea Vomiting Obesity Dark circles Onychomycosis Osteoporosis Dry skin Periarthritis Piorea Low pressure Prostatitis Psoriasis Colds Breast fissures Anal fissures Gastro-nasal rhinitis Senescence Premenstrual Syndrome Sinusitis Quit smoking Overweight Fatty liver Constipation Stomatitis Stress Cough Triglycerides high Ulcer Burns Nails Brittle flashes Heat Warts Dizziness Properties herbal Tanning Abortive adaptogenic Aphrodisiac bittering analgesic anesthetic anorectics analgesic antacid anti-allergic anti-asthmatic Antibiotic catarrh Anticellulitiche anticonvulsant Antidiaforetiche antidiarrheal edematous anthelmintic antiemetic Antiemorroidarie antiphlogistic Antiidrotiche Antinevrotiche Antioxidants antipyretic antirheumatic antiscorbutic Antiseptic antispasmodic anti-uric Aperitive Flavoring Astringent Balsamic Bechiche Capillarotrope Cardiotonic Carminative Cathartic Caustics Healing Cholagogues Choleretic Dyes Decongestants Deodorants Purifying Diaphoretic Cleansers Disinfectants Detoxifiers Thirst quenching Diuretics Exciting Emetics Emmenagogues Emollients Hemostatic Energies Hepatoprotectors Expectorants Eupepticus Moisturisers Galactosensitizers lanti Hypertensive Hypnotic Hypoglycemic Hypotensive Irritants Laxatives Soothing Narcotic Nerves Nutrients Odontalgic Pectoral Purgative Revulsive Remineralizing Refreshing Rubefacient Scialagoghe Sedative Soporifugas Sneezing Stomachic Stomatics Narcotic Vascular Tightenitis