Herbs in Pregnancy
By: Marianne Romans, CNM
It is estimated that 47% of the U.S. population have taken or currently use herbal or natural supplements. Western medicine even with all of its advances has not been successful in treating some of the very common chronic conditions that people live with.

Health care today is integrating herbal and complementary medicine into mainstream medical practice. At Bethany Women's Healthcare we address the whole patient believing body and mind are interconnected. Diet, lifestyle, attitude and preventive measures all play an important role in your health. Vitamins, minerals, and natural supplements can add to your well being. There is a wide range of dosage and safety in herbal use. At one end of the spectrum are nourishing herbs such as nettle or raspberry and gently safe herbs such as mint and chamomile. At the other end of the spectrum are drug like plants with a high potential for toxicity.

In our newsletter, we would like to provide some information that may be useful to you. Herbs that should be avoided or used with caution during pregnancy include: goldenseal, ginko, Asian Ginsing, Ma huang, feverfew, licorice, and the stimulant laxative herbs: cascara sagrada, senna, buckthorn, and aloe. Avoid using herbs during the first trimester.

Look for more information on herbs and their use in further newsletters.