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Are there any herbs that are Recommended in pregnancy?
Depending on what type of health care provider you see, they may recommend using herbs to help promote the health of your pregnancy. Remember, never try to self dose or diagnose with any medications, including herbs. Because each pregnancy is different, with its own specific details, the best way to use herbs is under the care of a midwife, physician, herbalist, naturopathic or homeopathic doctor.
Choosing to use herbs during pregnancy is a personal choice, but to ensure the best outcome for you and your baby, you should be well educated on the types of herbs, parts of the herb (root, leaf, etc…) and the way that it could be used (caplet, tonic, tea). The herbs that are considered safe to use during pregnancy are often food or tonic herbs. These often will be found in either tablet form, tea, or infusion form.
Herbs used in Pregnancy
The following herbs have been rated Likely Safe or Possibly Safe for use during pregnancy:4
Red Raspberry Leaf - Rich in iron, this herb has helped tone the uterus, increase milk production, decrease nausea, and ease labor pains. Some studies have even reported that using red raspberry leaf during pregnancy can reduce complications and the use of interventions during birth.5 You may see “Pregnancy Teas” that are made from Red Raspberry leaf to help promote uterine health during pregnancy. (Read about Herbal teas for more information)
There is some controversy about whether this should be used throughout pregnancy or just in the second and third trimester, so many health care providers will remain cautious and only recommend using it after the first trimester.
Peppermint Leaf - Helpful in relieving nausea/morning sickness and flatulence
Ginger root - Helps relieve nausea and vomiting
Slippery Elm Bark - (when the inner bark is used orally in amounts used in foods) Used to help relieve nausea, heartburn, and vaginal irritations
Oats & Oat Straw - Rich in calcium and magnesium; helps relieve anxiety, restlessness, and irritated skin Additional Herbs rated Likely Safe or Possibly Safe:
Blond Psyllium - when used orally and appropriately
Black Psyllium - when used orally with appropriate fluid intake
Garlic - when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods
Capsicum (Cayenne, hot pepper) - when used topically and appropriately
The following herbs have been rated as having Insufficient Reliable Information Available by the Natural Medicines Database, although many are recommended by homeopathic physicians, herbalists, and midwives who treat pregnant women. More extensive research and discussions with your treating health care provider will help you make the decision about what herbs are safe for you to use.
Dandelion - Rich in Vitamin A, calcium, and iron; dandelion root and leaf can also help relieve mild edema and nourish the liver
Chamomile (German) - High in calcium and magnesium; also helps with sleeplessness and inflammation of joints
Nettles (Stinging Nettles) - High in vitamins A, C, K , calcium, potassium, and iron. Used in many “Pregnancy teas” because it is a great all around pregnancy tonic. Note on the safety of Nettles: Natural Medicines Database gives Nettles a rating of Likely Unsafe, even though it is used in countless pregnancy teas and recommended by most midwives and herbalists. This may be in relation to which part of the Nettles plant is used (the root or the leaves) and how much is used. According to other sources, the use of Nettles is encouraged during pregnancy because of all its health benefits.
Other Popular Herbs that are used
The following are commonly used herbs which have a safety rating of Possibly Unsafe when used orally. Again, these are herbs you would want to do more extensive research on and discuss with your health care provider before using.
Aloe
Ginseng (American & Korean)
Evening Primrose
Feverfew
Kava Kava
Senna link from : http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/naturalherbsvitamins.html
Although medicine has replaced most natural supplements with a synthetic substitute, there are many who still look to natural herbs and vitamins to provide essential nutrition to pregnant women as well as aid in the relief of some common discomforts. 
Many herbalists believe that herbs are often better, cheaper, and healthier than their medical counterparts. However, many medical professionals do not recommend herbal remedies for pregnant women, since safety has not been established through extensive research.
Unlike prescription drugs, natural herbs and vitamin supplements do not go through the same scrutiny and evaluation process by the FDA. As a result, the quality and strength of an herbal supplement can vary between two batches of the same product and between products from different manufacturers. Consumers have little way of knowing if a product will do what the label claims and how safe the product may be. Reliable information about the product may be hard to find, which makes researching these products’ effectiveness more challenging.
What are the risks of using natural herbs during pregnancy?
Although herbs are natural, not all herbs are safe to take during pregnancy. The FDA urges pregnant women not to take any herbal products without talking to their midwife or doctor first. Women are also urged to consult a trained and experienced herbalist (or other professional who is trained to work with herbs) if they want to take herbs during their pregnancy. Some herbal products may contain agents that are contraindicated in pregnancy.
Herbs may contain substances that can cause miscarriage, premature birth, uterine contractions, or injury to the fetus. Few studies have been done to measure the effects of various herbs on pregnant women or a developing fetus.
What are some herbs I should be cautious about during my pregnancy?
Depending on the source, some information will list an herb as safe to consume during pregnancy, whereas another source may list the same herb as unsafe. Therefore, it is best to consult with your health care provider or someone trained in using herbs before taking any natural medicine or herb during pregnancy.
Some organizations that specialize in herbs have done extensive testing on their safety. Often these organizations will list herbs with their safety ratings for the general population and also safety during pregnancy and lactation. These ratings can often be confusing and hard to interpret; this is why speaking with a professional who is familiar with using herbs during pregnancy is recommended. One key thing when understanding the safety ratings is to pay attention to
what type of use the rating is for?
For example, the rating for Rosemary is considered Likely Safe ...when used orally in amounts typically found in foods. (Rosemary has a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US.) But in pregnancy, Rosemary is considered Possibly UnSafe ...when used orally in medicinal amounts. Rosemary might have uterine and menstrual flow stimulant effects; avoid using. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of the topical use of rosemary during pregnancy
This is a prime example of how the method of use of the herb changes its safety rating. We know that rosemary sprinkled in your tomato sauce is not a risk to you and your baby. If you were to use Rosemary in a large dose, like that used in medicinal amounts, it could be dangerous for your pregnancy. The same goes for herbs such as Garlic, Sage, Ginger and Tumeric. All of these herbs could be contraindicated in pregnancy when used in large or concentrated doses, but are considered safe when used in amounts found in food. 2
Herbs to Avoid during Pregnancy
The following herbs are considered Likely UnSafe or Unsafe during pregnancy : 3
Saw Palmetto - when used orally; has hormonal activity
Goldenseal - when used orally may cross the placenta
Dong Quai - when used orally due to uterine stimulant and relaxant effects
Ephedra - when used orally
Yohimbe - when used orally
Pay D’ Arco - when used orally in large doses; contraindicated
Passion Flower - when used orally
Black Cohosh - when used orally in pregnant women who are not at term
Blue Cohosh - when used orally; uterine stimulant and can induce labor
Roman Chamomile - when used orally in medicinal amounts
Pennyroyal - when used orally or topically link from : http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/naturalherbsvitamins.html
As one physician put it in a recent national television interview about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), now is the time to "live well". This doctor describes living well as eating wholesome foods, exercise and stop smoking. A few weeks before this TV interview, another MD voiced the opinion that addition to our focus on containing this contagious virus, and our search for a vaccine, we should also be making efforts to boost our immune systems. My contribution here is just to say there are antiviral herbs and essential oils and just as important there are herbs and oils that can enhance our immune defenses.
Those who study history know that herbs and essential oils were successfully used to protect against the most devastating contagious diseases that swept through Europe during the Middle Ages. Fumigation with herbs indoors and out and perfumed candles burning in hospitals and sickrooms were just some of the methods used. At the time of the Great Plague, aromatics were known as the best antiseptics. Essential oils were used not only for perfume but also as medicine and for various industries like tanning leather. For protection against the Black Death, herbs were hung around the neck and perfumes were in great demand. It is impossible to really know how effective these measures were but it was clearly known that those individuals who closely handled the aromatics, like the perfumers were immune from these contagious diseases. Even into the beginning of the 19th century doctors carried aromatics at the top of their walking sticks. They would be held up to the nose for protection when visiting contagious cases. In the second half of the 19th century there were considerably more acres of flowers grown for the expanding essential oil industry especially in the south of France. It was noted in the flower-growing districts that workers processing this aromatic plant material were quite free from contagious respiratory diseases. Tuberculosis was much more common then and what was so outstanding was the low incidence of this disease in these areas. It was obvious that the essential oils contained in these plants were playing a role in protecting health. In 1880 the role of microorganisms in disease was first recognized which led to the first recorded laboratory test on the anti-bacterial properties of essential oils in 1887. While on the subject of tuberculosis, I find one clinical trial involving garlic oil very interesting. At the beginning of the 20th century all known treatments, 52 in fact, were tried on over 1000 TB patients at the Metropolitan Hospital in New York. The treatments included vaccines, serums, antitoxins, surgery, arsenic, mercury compounds and garlic. The conclusion: garlic gave the best results, no matter what part of the body was affected. One doctor’s remarks included the realization that unlike any other known antiseptic, garlic was completely harmless to body tissue. I believe the success with all these natural agents is because they are both antimicrobial and offer support to our immune systems.
It may be prudent for us to consider that the role of microorganisms in infectious illness may be overrated. The climate or constitution of the body may be just as important as the activity of the infectious organism itself. Consider some of the facts of the spread of SARS. Death rate is higher the older the age of the victim. In fact kids don’t seem to be getting infected as much as would be expected considering the crowded classrooms. Exceptions are for kids whose older relatives in the household are affected. Stress, it would seem to me, to be a factor here. Stress has a direct effect on our immune system.
I found it very encouraging to hear about the esteemed Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong, where all staff members took Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formulas for immune boosting and general prevention of respiratory illness because of the wide spread occurrence of SARS. Very recently they report not one incidence of the illness in their staff population. More information about this and the article in the Beijing Evening News recommending herbs for SARS can be found above.
Around the world we have many excellent choices of herb products to consider using as a response to SARS. One of the first ones that come to my mind is one of our Red Sage Classical Chinese Herbal Formulas called Mushroom Power which includes Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Poria and Trametes. Mushrooms have historical use in Traditional Chinese Medicine with an immense list of functions including: reduce stress, regulate and enhance immune function, hypotensive, anti cancer, reduce cholesterol and fat, anti-hepatotoxic, enhance brain function (especially memory), improve creativity and relaxation. It can be said mushrooms provide tonic therapy while enriching life and longevity.
Echinacea, Lapacho (Pau d’Arco), Garlic, Astragalus, Ginsengs and Elderberry are other herbs that are scientifically proved to be antiviral and/or immune boosters. Especially Lapacho, Astragalus, Garlic and the Ginsengs are very suitable to take daily on a long-term basis. There are a variety of effective preparations to suit a variety of lifestyles that include drinking teas, liquid extracts or extract capsules.
Essential Oils are the strongest form of herbs available today. Many are proved to be antiviral in vivo and many of the same ones are known to be of benefit to the immune system. There is quite a long list of antiviral essential oils that include: Bay, Bergamot, Camphor, Cinnamon Leaf, Clove, Eucalyptus, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Melissa, Myrrh, Niaouli, Palmarosa, Peppermint, Ravensara (True), Rosemary, Sage, Tea Tree , Thyme (Red), Thyme (Linalol). Some of these essential oils are quite safe and non-toxic when used appropriately on the skin but some of them fall under categories such as sensitizers, phototoxic and skin irritants. The latter categories would be very appropriately diffused in the air for inhalation or used to disinfect surfaces. I encourage you to take a look at the list of herbs and oils in the botanical and safety information at the end of this article.
We have some very new products at Cheryl’s Herbs called Respiratory Spray and Clean Spray. Respiratory Spray (Eucalyptus, Hyssop, Palmarosa, Ravensara (True), Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oils & Alcohol) contains the fantastic antiviral essential oils with known use in respiratory colds and flu. These new products are meant to be sprayed in the air much like using a diffuser would fragrance the air. The sprays are versatile in that you can carry them with you to spray your car or work space or even your clothes or a handkerchief to be held up to the nose. Because of the choice of essential oil, the spray is not meant to touch your skin directly. Clean Spray (Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Clove, Lemongrass, Oregano Essential Oils & Alcohol) is also meant for the air or surfaces only and not only are these essential oils tested to be antiviral but antibacterial and antifungal as well. The pleasing fragrance makes it appealing to spray in the air, on surfaces and even inside shoes! Antibacterial household products are becoming common but there is a problem with these chemical ingredients encouraging the transformation of bacteria into mutants resistant to our antibiotic drugs. By using natural antibacterial agents we can avoid this problem altogether.
I find all these options encouraging for our future health. As our authorities are doing what they can to protect us from contagious disease, with natural alternatives we individuals have measures we can take to do our part. Several decades ago - I call it the age of innocence - Americans put a lot of faith and trust in our doctors and authorities for their health. It is a different era now and it is with great pride that some of us are taking back that responsibility for ourselves. Often when I use one of these essential oil sprays I feel refreshed by how beautifully intriguing they smell. What a great way to be "master of your domain"!
link from : http://www.cherylsherbs.com/sars.htm
