| Herbs during Pregnancy | | | | (I believe this was written by Lady Cinnamon for the now defunct magazine Full Circle)
Herbs can be helpful and harmful to a developing baby and the mother.
Here is a guideline to those helpful and harmful drugs.
Helpful
1) Billberry vein and capillary support, aid in kidney function, and a mild diuretic for bloating
2) Blue Cohosh helps to prevent and stop false labor; for final weeks of pregnancy, to ease and/or induce labor.
3) Burdock Root helps to prevent water retention and jaundice in the newborn.
4) Chamomile aids in digestive and bowel problems and aids in relaxation.
5) Echinacea aids the immune system
6) Ginger Root aids in controlling morning sickness.
7) Lobelia �?aids in the relaxation of the mother during delivery and helps to speed up the delivery of the placenta.
8) Nettles guards against excessive bleeding due to the fact that it contains Vitamin K, improves kidney function, and helps prevent hemorrhoids
9) Peppermint after the first trimester, may be used to help digestion, soothe the stomach, and overcome nausea; it is an overall body strengthener and cleanser.
10) Red Raspberry An all round excellent herb for pregnancy. It is a uterine tonic, anti-abortive, and helps prevent infection. Aids in preventing cramps and anemia. Prevents excessive bleeding during and after labor and aids the birth process by stimulating contractions.
11) Wild Yam for pregnancy pain, nausea or cramping, and will lessen the chance of miscarriage
12) Yellow Dock aids in iron assimilation and will help prevent jaundice in a newborn.
The following herbs should only be used under the supervision of your doctor or a medical practitioner and only in combinations
1) Black Cohosh use only in final weeks of pregnancy, will ease and/or induce labor
2) False Unicorn use only in the final weeks of pregnancy, will ease and/or induce labor
3) Golden Seal large amounts can cause uterine contractions
4) Pennyroyal this herb can cause abortion; may be carefully used in final weeks.
The following are laxative in nature and should be used sparingly.
Strong laxatives or large amounts can cause cramping and stomach problems.
1) Aloe Vera
2) Barberry
3) Buckthorn
4) Cascara Sagrada
5) Mandrake
6) Rhubarb
7) Senna
Harmful -
the following herbs should be avoided during pregnancy
1) Angelica can cause uterine contractions
2) Cinchona this herb and its alkaloids have oxytocic (agent that stimulates contractions accelerating childbirth) effects
3) Coffee avoid caffeine, as it irritates the uterus; excessive amounts in sensitive individuals can cause premature birth or miscarriage
4) Eucalyptus Oil this oils should be avoided during pregnancy as it is difficult for the kidneys to eliminate.
5) Juniper a too strong vaso-dilating (an agent that widens blood-vessel openings), diuretic effect
6) Lovage causes uterine contractions
7) Ma Huang (Ephedra) This herb should be avoided as it has too strong of an
anti-histamine effect
8) Male Fern to strong a vermifuge (expels or repels intestinal worms)
9) Mistletoe can cause uterine contractions
10) Mugwort stimulates uterine contractions and can be toxic in large doses
11) Pennyroyal can cause abortion
12) Poke Root - it is a powerful emetic
13) Rue can cause abortion
14) Shepherds Purse too astringent; may be used for after birth bleeding
15) Tansy can cause uterine contractions
16) Wild Ginger an emmenagogue (a substance that facilitates and regularizes menstrual flow) that causes uterine contractions
17) Wormwood stimulates uterine contractions and can be toxic in large doses
18) Yarrow a strong astringent and mild abortifacient ( a substance that induces abortion)
~*~ In Love, Laughter, and Moonlight ~*~ ~*~ Lady Garnet Moon ~*~
Witches follow their hearts and take responsibility for their actions.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take
but by the moments that take our breath away | |
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