Herbal Remedies for Pregnancy and Childbirth

 For thousands of years, women have been using herbs during pregnancy and childbirth to ease their symptoms and strengthen their health. Many of these remedies have stood the test of time. However, others have proven to be ineffective or even dangerous, and some herbs that are usually harmless should not be taken during pregnancy. Here we will separate fact from folklore.

• Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus Idaeus): This is the most recommended herb for pregnant women. It is an excellent source of vitamins A and C and has smaller amounts of vitamins E and B complex. It also contains phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. Red raspberry leaf works as a uterine stimulant, which means it can help strengthen contractions. It is not recommended during early pregnancy.
• Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): This is a mild sedative and can sooth morning sickness.
• Stinging Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica): This is an excellent source of vitamins A, D, and C, iron, potassium, manganese, and calcium.
• Anise, fennel, ginger root, peppermint, and red clover (Trifolium pratense) can all be used to alleviate morning sickness, but should only be used in small doses.

These herbs can all be found at health food stores.

• The ancient Greeks would serve ground hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale) in wine to women experiencing difficult labor. Rather surprisingly, some contemporary midwives aren't adverse to drinking a glass of wine before or during labor, but there are no known benefits to drinking it with hedge mustard.
• Different species of verbena, which are found and in both Europe and the Americas, were given to women before and after childbirth to ward off evil spirits. The 17th century botanist Nicolas Culpeper said it was "excellent for the womb" but this has not been scientifically proven. The fact that the herbs were made into tea may have helped prevent dehydration during labor, but that's about it.

• Black Cohosh and Blue Cohosh (Actaea racemosa and Caulophyllum thalictroides, respectively): Used by Native Americans, these herbs are used for a variety of women's ailments, but it can upset the particular balance of hormones during pregnacy.
• Ginseng: Originally used in Chinese medicine, ginseng is an herb that still produces contradictory results in general health, so it is best to avoid it during pregnancy.
• Juniper: Native Americans used juniper for urinary tract infections and sometimes to induce labor, but also as a female contraceptive, so again, you might want to stay away.
• Alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria): This herb is primarily used to make dye but is also added to vegetable oils and wines as a food coloring. It is very dangerous in larger amounts, and in fact, was the herb used by the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay's mother to terminate her daughter's unwanted pregnancy.

Herbal remedies may be based in nature, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are safe. The remedies on this hub have been proven to be safe, but they should be taken whole (ie, not in packaged pill form) and it is best to do this by making tea out of them. Most of the packaged "herbal" products have not been approved by the FDA, so it is always best to check with your doctor before taking them.