For Anxiety and Insomnia:
Instead of Valerian, Use Chamomile
Instead of Valerian, Use Chamomile
Valerian is often used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia, all of which are often experienced by pregnant women. However, it is not a safe option for most women who are pregnant, because it can cause a sharp and sudden drops in blood pressure. This can lead to dizziness, headache, and nausea, and may slow the amount of oxygen received by the baby.
A 1985 German study of valepotriates, one of the groups of active chemical compounds in Valerian, also indicated that they are mutagens. This may lead to birth defects, cellular mutations, cancers, or even miscarriage.
A safer alternative to Valerian is chamomile, which has a similar, mildly sedative effect, but carries few of the same risks. The FDA generally recognizes chamomile as safe for pregnant and lactating women, with no ill effects reported during pregnancy.
For Depression:
Instead of Saint John's Wort, use Fish Oil
Instead of Saint John's Wort, use Fish Oil
Depression is exceedingly common during pregnancy, especially during the first and second trimesters. Because it is such a difficult time for many women, many turn to the well-known and well-studied remedy Saint John's Wort as a treatment. However, Saint John's Wort is considered to be a safe treatment during pregnancy.
Saint John's Wort is known to speed up metabolism and interact with many medications, potentially even hindering the body's absorption of minerals. See this article for further information regarding the general warnings associated with Saint John's Wort.
Additionally, according to a study published in the magazine Medical Clinics of North America in 2005, Saint John's Wort may contribute to low birth weight, and has been suspected to trigger uterine contractions, which may lead to preterm labor. The study also indicated that the herb may be linked to impaired brain development and cellular damage.
Fish oil, however, is a safe and effective alternative. A 2008 study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry fully confirmed the long-held suspicion that fish oil is a wonderfully effective treatment for clinical depression because of its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, the building blocks of brain cells.
Another good reason to take fish oil is that it not only won't harm your baby, it will actually help him! A study published in 2006 in the Archives of Disease in Childhood showed babies born to mothers who took fish oil supplements showed improved brain development as toddlers. The World Health Organization, as a result, now recommends omega-3 supplementation for all pregnant women.
For Nausea and Vomiting:
Instead of Aloe Vera, Use Ginger
Instead of Aloe Vera, Use Ginger
Nausea and vomiting are exceedingly common during the first trimester of pregnancy. For some women with the condition hyperemesis, pregnancy-related nausea can be severe enough to put the mother or baby's life in danger. Naturally, many women are desperate to find a cure for this common ailment.
Aloe vera is sometimes use by pregnant women to ease nausea, heartburn, gas, and other gastrointestinal problems, but its use may not be a good idea. Because aloe vera can act as a bowel stimulant, it may, hypothetically, also trigger uterine contractions, leading to pre-term labor or miscarriage.
Ginger may be a safer alternative. A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology concluded definitively that ginger is a safe, effective treatment for pregnancy-related stomach upsets. There are no known problems associated with taking ginger during pregnancy, but its efficacy has been proven by dozens, if not hundreds, of studies.
For Immune Support:
Instead of Goldenseal, Use Elderberry
Instead of Goldenseal, Use Elderberry
Goldenseal, most often used in conjunction with echinacea, is frequently used as a home remedy for flu, colds, and coughs. Because it is believed by many to be an effective immune stimulant, many pregnant women unknowingly put themselves and their babies at risk by using it to heighten their immune response.
A 1996 article written for Medical Herbalism: A Journal for the Clinical Practitioner concluded that goldenseal should not be used during pregnancy. It has a tendency to induce uterine contractions, which may trigger preterm labor. It also causes sudden drops in blood sugar, which may lead to dizziness, nausea, and jitteriness, especially in women with gestational diabetes.
The National University of Singapore also published a study indicating that herbs containing berberine, an active chemical constituent of goldenseal, may cause fetal damage, including cellular problems, metabolism problems, and jaundice.
Elderberry, often sold under the brand name Sambucol, is a delicious alternative for immune system support. It is marketed as an antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant, all of which are beneficial to both mother and baby. There are reported incidents of elderberry negatively affecting a pregnancy.
For Fatigue:
Instead of Guarana, Use B Vitamins
Instead of Guarana, Use B Vitamins
Guarana, green tea, yerba mate, and other caffeine-containing stimulants have become popular in recent times for their energy-giving properties. Many women erroneously believe that these stimulants are safer than coffee and sodas, but this is not actually the case.
The March of Dimes recommends that women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant avoid caffeine in excess of 200 mg per day. Caffeine appears to nearly double a woman's chance of having a miscarriage, and caffeine can also exacerbate problems with blood sugar, hypertension, and anxiety. The source of this caffeine is irrelevant to its dangers, so all supplements and herbs containing caffeine are best avoided.
Vitamins B-6, B-12, and Folic Acid are a miraculous trio at treating exhaustion, especially during pregnancy. The three of them work synergistically to prevent and treat chronic fatigue and sluggishness. Because all three of them--especially folic acid--are critically important during pregnancy to prevent pre-term labor and birth defects, they are found in large amounts in prenatal vitamins.
If the levels of B vitamins found in prenatal vitamins seems to be inadequate, additional B vitamins can be supplemented. Because they are water-soluble vitamins, it is very difficult to overdose on them; the body simply filters out what it does not need.
For Inducing Labor:
Instead of Pennyroyal, use Black Cohosh
Instead of Pennyroyal, use Black Cohosh
Holistic Midwifery, by the well-known midwife Anne Frye, explicitly warns against pennyroyal's use at any stage during pregnancy. It is most commonly used to induce elective abortion during the first trimester, or to induce labor during the third. It causes significant harm to the mother and fetus at all stages of pregnancy, and its use is not warranted under any circumstances.
The Annals of Internal Medicine publication has published several articles detailing liver damage, birth defects, cardiopulmonary arrest, sepsis, seizures, coma, renal failure, and death following its administration. Because of the number of adverse reactions at all stages of pregnancy, it should not be used at all by pregnant women.
Black cohosh is a much safer alternative to induce labor when it has gone past-term, with very few negative effects reported from it. Its use is supported by most modern midwives, although there are some concerns about it causing excessive bleeding-- and a similarly named herb, blue cohosh, has been linked to neurlogical damage in unborn babies.
Always consult your doctor or midwife before taking any new medication, including herbal supplements.