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Medicinal Herbs
It's tempting to believe that if something is natural, it must be safe. If only things could be that uncomplicated! In fact, herbal remedies are particularly worrisome because:
- There are very few medical studies that look at herbal remedies in pregnancy.
- Herbs grow in different potencies meaning that the dose you take one day may be substantially more or less potent than the dose you take the next.
Rebecca Odes and Ceridwen Morris, authors of "From the Hips" recommend herbal-minded moms stay away from anecdotal advice and look for help from an expert with specific knowledge about herbal treatments during pregnancy.
"Herbal medicine is a very complex subject and it's one most people don't know much about," Rebecca says. "Although herbal remedies can really help, there are those that are potentially dangerous. So it's not a good idea to take someone's word for it unless you're sure they know their blessed thistle from their mugwort."
Some herbs can clash with conventional treatment so be sure that your doctor is aware of every vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplement that crosses your lips along with any medications you take.
Safety Note:
While studies show that about 40% of women use alternative or complementary medicine while pregnant, there is no data to establish safety of these supplements. In addition, as these products are considered supplements, there is no FDA regulation and therefore, no guarantee of purity. Some doctors believe these products should be avoided during pregnancy.
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