Female - Some herbs contraindicated in pregnancy

Every medical herbalist has their own list of herbs they avoid during pregnancy. Here is a list suggested by British Herbalist Simon Mills, on the basis of their emmenogogue or abortifacient effects.

Artemesia absinthum (Yarrow)

Berberis vulgaris (Barberry)

Chelidonium majus (Celendine)

Cimicifuga racemosa (Black cohosh)

Cinchona spp. (Cinchona)

Crocus sativa (Saffron)

Dryopteris felix-mas (Male Fern)

Gossypium herbaceum (Cotton Root)

Hydrastis canadensis (Golden Seal)

Juniperus communis (Juniper)

Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal)

Origanum vulgare (Origano)

Phytolacca decandra (Poke)

Rosmarinus off. (Rosemary)

Ruta graveolens (Rue)

Salvia off. (Sage)

Sanguisorba canadensis (Greater Burnet)

Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy)

Thuja occidentalis (White Cedar)

Thymus vulgaris (Thyme)

All anthraquinone laxatives (Cascara Sagrada, Yellow Dock, Senna, Rhubarb, Aloe)

Reference

Mills, S. “Are Herbs Safe?” Brit J Phyto, (1991)2:(2);82.
 

Copyright 2001 Paul Bergner    99