What Herbs Are Safe to Eat When Pregnant

What have you heard about herbal teas? I suggested to my daughter in law that she drink camomille tae for gall stones.

I'd ask Brigette Mars, our local herbalist in the Boulder area. She does have a website, just google her name...
Congrats and have a good summer...

I am currently studding to become a Master Herbalist so I can tell you that there are very few herbs that will harm you. None of the herbs that you will be cooking with will cause problems. As for red raspberry leaf tea, it is very nutritious. It has many nutrients in it that help to build and strengthen the female reproductive system. It does not cause you to have contractions or go into pre-term labor. I began drinking it long before I became pregnant (I am due any time now). I would recommend reading labels of any prepackaged box teas to make sure there is nothing harmful in them. The best thing for you to do is consult an herbalist, or a book written by and herbalist, in order to answer any more detailed questions about herbs to use during pregnancy. Keep flavoring your food, it's not going to hurt you or your baby.

Normal cooking herbs ar OK. It's raspberry leaf, ginsing, and some chinese herbs among other things, that are not okay. They are things that you probably ingest accidentally. There is a pregnant mothers tea that is good, if you are wanting an herbal tea. Herbal tea means that it's not made with leaves, so technically it's not a tea....anyways. Enjoy you food, and stay away from things like Chinese herb mixes, Sobe type drinks (a lot of them have ginsing, so I just cut them all out) and raspberry leaf. You and your baby will be fine.
Remeber women in other counties eat very spiced food every day, while their preggers and nursing, their kids are okay, and yours will be too.

Unsafe herbs during pregnancy

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

If you are interested in taking herbs during your pregnancy, contact an accupuncturist. I took "Women's Precious" chinese herbs my entire pregnancy. They helped my premature daughter come out healthy enough to not be in the NICU for more than ten minutes! Her APGAR was 8, and she came home right away. She was perfect (except that she was covered in fur :O)

Go to www.motherlove.com and go to their FAQ section- they have great info on herbs to avoid and herbs that are good.
Herbs and tea can provide wonderful relief as well as important vitamins and minerals- I used several homemade tea mixes when I was pregnant (still do). I drank a lot of red raspberry leaf tea, contrary to what others have said, I have read in several places that it's good for pregnant mama's to drink.
Another site that is good for info is www.kellymom.com
I hope that helps!
H.

Hi. I asked my doctor about this a couple months ago (I'm 7 months in now). She told me the only thing that's really bad about drinking the herbal teas is there's usually SOOOOO much caffeine in them. So, not to worry....use those herbs you love to cook with...just avoid the green teas & stuff like that.

Hi - what you heard is wrong!!!! You can get a book called "the Naturally Healthy Pregnancy" by Shonda Parker. Amazing book indeed. You can get it on ebay for about $12 used. It is definitely worth the price for all the info you receive. There are definitely some herbs that you should not take when pregnant. Educate yourself - and once again I highly recommend the above book - and you can then make an informed decision for yourself. Red Raspberry Leaf tea and herbs are geat for pregnant women. Every woman in childbearing years shoudl be taking it all the time - especially when pregnant - as it strenghtens and tones the uterus. Anyway - good luck to you. Debbie

I am pretty sure that most cooking herbs are okay. Don't take any medicinal herbs. Many can interfere with baby's nutritional needs. Most herbs that are sold to "help" something have not been approved by the FDA. So you really never know if you are putting you and your baby at risk.

As far as off limits herbs, I've just been told that it is mostly red raspberry leaf since it will help the uterus prepare for birth and may cause contractions. As far as I know you can still use your cooking herbs, I'm 8 months preggo and have used them my entire pregnancy so hopefully it is okay.

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My mom is into herbs big time! And she always told me to drink my raspberry leaf tea because it is so good for the female organs and help with a lot of pregnancy symptoms. My sister-in-law has rough pregnancies and she swears by it. It is true it does help prepare your insides for delivery but it won't cause contractions. The only herb I am aware of that you should avoid during pregnancy is parsley. Parsley helps to contract the uterus so back to is normal size so I have read it is best to avoid it. But is is great for after delivery!!

I am sure that red rasberry tea is o.k. during pregnancy because it supports the uterus. I only know that because I was trying to get pregnant at the time and consulted an herbalist myself. I think that you should really consult an herbalist on those things because I have heard from them that there are herbs that can cause early labor or birth abnormalities as well and there are others that are safe during pregnancy and can help support it.

Check out a book called Herbs and Spices for Pregnancy and Nursing by Eileen Zum-Mallen. It details every herb to avoid and useful herbs for pregnancy. You could also call the tea company and ask if any of the herbs in the their teas are unsafe for pregnancy.

Generally if you are drinking herbal teas you are drinking what an herbologist would consider medicinal amounts. Definately STAY AWAY from raspberry teas until after the baby is born (it will help you uterus get back into shape faster) however, you should be able to drink a weak chammomile tea. Generally using herbs on food or during cooking is NOT going to expose you to medicinal amount (unless you are making a rosemary crusted roast or something).
Even though a lot of the herbs you use in cooking are sometimes used medicinally, you don't use the same amount in cooking, so you shouls be safe. However, I would suggest that you read up on Herbs and their properties and uses and try to limit the amounts of herbs that may cause complications in your pregnancy.

Good Luck and Good Cooking