12 Herbs Commonly Used During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Herbs are amazing and a valuable gift to us when used with knowledge and skill.

I will list all the SAFE herbs widely used during pregnancy and lactation in a moment.

But first a list of those not for the season of pregnancy and lactation. There are exceptions to some of these when under the care of a trained midwife, functional doctor, herbalist, naturopathic or homeopathic doctor.

Depending on your source, some list an herb as safe to consume during pregnancy, while another source may list the same herb as unsafe. Most importantly, never try to self-dose a problem or diagnose with any medications, including herbs.

Commonly Used Western Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy

Angelica Root                                                           
Basil* (in very large amounts)                         Lemongrass* (in very large amounts)
Beth Root                                                                  Licorice Root
Birthroot                                                                    Lobelia
Black Cohosh                                                           Loveage
Black Walnut                                                            Ma-Huang
Bladderwrack                                                           Marijuana
Blessed Thistle                                                         Mistletoe
Blue Cohosh                                                              Mugwort
Blue Vervain                                                              Myrrh
Boneset                                                                      
Borage                                                                        Osha Root
Buchu                                                                          PN-6 capsules/tea
Buckthorn                                                                 Parsley* (in very large amounts)
Burdock Root                                                            Passionflower
Butcher’s Broom                                                     Pau d’Arco

Butternut*                                                                 Pennyroyal

Calendula                                                                  Pleurisy Root
California Poppy                                                     Poke Root
Cascara Sagrada                                                      

Catnip                                                                        Roman Chamomile
Chaparral                                                                   Rosemary* (in large amounts)
Cinnamon (*in very large amounts)               Rue
Coltsfoot                                                                   Saffron
Comfrey Leaf                                                            Sage* (in large amounts)
Comfrey Root                                                          Sarsaparilla
Cotton Root Bark                                                     Sassafras
Damiana                                                                    Saw Palmetto
Dong Quai                                                                 Senna
Elecampane                                                              Shepherd’s Purse

Echinacea

Ephedra                                                                     St. John’s Wort
False Unicorn                                                           Sumac
Fenugreek                                                                 Tansy
Feverfew                                                                Thyme*
Ginger *(in large amounts)                                Turmeric* (daily in food is very safe)
Ginseng (Siberian Ginseng aka Eleuthero is fine, except for those with high blood pressure)
Goldenseal                                                               Uva Ursi
Gotu Kola                                                                 Vitex
Hops                                                                          Wild Cherry Bark
Horehound                                                               Wormwood
Horsetail                                                                   Yarrow                                                                        
Jamaican Dogwood                                              Yohimbe
Juniper Berry
Kava Kava Root

Avoid During Lactation

Black Cohosh                                                              Juniper Berry
Black Walnut                                                               Kava Kava Root
Bladderwrack                                                              Kelp
Borage                                                                           Licorice Root
Buchu                                                                            Ma-Huang
Buckthorn                                                                     Mugwort
Cascara Sagrada                                                         Myrrh
Chaparral                                                                      Oregon Grape Root (in jaundiced newborns)
Coltsfoot                                                                        Pleurisy Root
Comfrey Leaf                                                                Rue
Comfrey Root                                                               Sage*
Damiana                                                                        Sarsaparilla
Elecampane                                                                  Saw Palmetto
Ephedra                                                                         Senna
Ginseng (Siberian Ginseng aka Eleuthero is fine, except for those with high blood pressure)
Horsetail                                                                        Sumac
Jamaican Dogwood                                                  Turkey Rhubarb                                                                                                                                                Uva Ursi                                                                                                                                                                         Wormwood

*When used in cooking, the culinary herbs listed above are considered safe. It is known that adding sage, basil, parsley or rosemary in your tomato sauce is certainly not a risk to you and your baby. Large dose, like that used in medicinal amounts, is not best.

12 Herbs Most Commonly Used in Pregnancy

The following herbs have been used safely during pregnancy at least back to pioneer days or longer. Also included are the Herbs listed above with an asterisk (*) such as garlic, thyme, ginger, sage, and turmeric when used in amounts normal in food or tea.

• 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. You may see pregnancy teas that are made from red raspberry leaf to help promote uterine health during pregnancy. 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 remain cautious and only recommend using it after the first trimester. Read my post on it!
• Peppermint Leaf – Peppermint is 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
• Oat Straw – Rich in calcium and magnesium; helps relieve anxiety, restlessness, and irritated skin
• Cayenne – when used topically and appropriately
• Dandelion – Rich in Vitamin A, calcium, and iron; dandelion root and leaf can also help relieve mild edema and nourish the liver
• Chamomile – High in calcium and magnesium; also helps with sleeplessness and inflammation of joints
• 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. 
• Cranberry juice – unsweetened is magnificent for urinary health. 
• Tulsi – As a tea tulsi helps digestion, combat anemia, stress, the common cold, swelling, bloating and water retention
• Garlic, organic only– Moderate amounts in meals helps regulate blood flow, helps digestion, keeps your blood sugar in check and improves your blood pressure.

If you have not yet, begin to research for yourself and to grow in knowledge! Ask questions of a herbalist because each pregnancy is different. 

Recommended Reading

Naturally Healthy Woman by Shonda Parker

The Naturally Healthy Pregnancy by Shonda Parker

Mommy Diagnostics by Shonda Parker

For More Information On Alternative Medicine and Herbs:

• The American Botanical Council
• HerbMed
• National Center for Complementary and Intergrative Medicine or (888) 644-6226
• Natural Medicines Database

Do you know of any more safe herbs to include in this list?