Mistaken identity of herbal ingredients

The MHRA is aware of a number of incidents over recent years where herbal ingredients used in herbal remedies have been mis-identified by someone manufacturing or making up remedies.

This has led to risk or, in some cases, actual harm to people. Such incidents have affected a variety of countries. Wherever such an incident is reported, however, it is of potential concern to the UK. This is because there is an international trade in herbal remedies and herbal ingredients, with a consequent risk that such products or ingredients may find their way on to the UK market. Also, where evidence has emerged of similar looking ingredients becoming confused this may be an indicator that a similar problem could recur elsewhere.

Incidents of this kind emphasise the need for rigorous control through the supply chain to ensure that all ingredients used in the manufacture of herbal remedies are properly authenticated by someone with the necessary expertise and using validated methodology.

Intended ingredient	Ingredient used	Notes
Stephania, Clematis and others	Aristolochia species	Aristolochic acids associated with cancer and kidney failure; repeated incidents have been identified in various countries including the UK.
Gentian	Podophyllum	Cases of Podophyllum poisoning have been reported from Hong Kong following inadvertent use of Podophyllum root instead of Gentian. Internal use of Podophyllum can cause serious toxicity and may be fatal.
Scutellerai	Teucrium	Substitution of Scutellaria by Teucrium species has been known to occur in the UK, Teucrium species have been linked with cases of liver toxicity.
Plantain	Digitalis	Cases of serious cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) were reported in the US in 1997 following the accidental substitution of plantain with Digitalis.
(Chinese) Star Anise	Japanese Star Anise	Japanese Star Anise contains compounds not present in Chinese Star Anise and known for convulsant effect; affected several European countries in 2001

Source: http://www.mhra.gov.uk

Side effects and interaction with other medicines

When the MHRA receives reports that herbal medicines, for example St John's wort, may interact with other medicines, we look carefully at the evidence and seeks the advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) . The objective is to take a balanced and proportionate approach.

Use of herbal medicines in patients prior to surgery

It is important for patients to discuss their herbal medicines with their doctor before they undergo surgery. In some cases it may be necessary to discontinue the herbal medicine several weeks before surgery.

Concerns have been raised that some herbal medicines should be discontinued prior to surgery. This is because it is thought that some herbal medicines could cause complications by interfering with anaesthetics, anticoagulants and other substances used before, during or after surgery.

There are also concerns that some herbal medicines may themselves interfere with blood clotting and blood pressure. For example, garlic, ginseng and ginkgo have been reported to interfere with blood clotting mechanisms and may increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.

Because of the limited information available on herbal medicines it is difficult to give specific guidance on when they should be discontinued prior to surgery.

Source: http://www.mhra.gov.uk

Using herbal medicines: Advice to consumers

This section provides advice on using herbal medicines.

General advice to consumers

• Remember that herbal remedies are medicines. As with any other medicine they should be used with care.
• Any medicine – herbal or otherwise – has the potential to have adverse effects.
• Before you take any herbal medicine you need to be sure it is the correct product for you.
• Remember that natural does not mean safe. Many plants can be poisonous to humans. Many pharmaceutical medicines have been developed from plants because of the powerful compounds they contain.
• Herbal remedies can interact with other medicines. This could result in the other medicines having reduced or enhanced effects, including side-effects. When consulting your doctor or pharmacist about your health always tell them about any herbal medicines you are taking.
• As with all medicines, keep herbal medicines out of the sight and reach of children.

Are any particular groups at risk?

• In many cases the safe use of herbal medicines has not been established in:
• • pregnant women
  • breastfeeding mothers
  • children
  • elderly.
    
    
• Therefore caution should be taken about use of herbal medicine in pregnancy, when breast feeding or in children/elderly.
• If you are due to have a surgical operation always remember to tell your doctor about any herbal medicines you are taking. Some herbal medicines could alter the effects of anaesthetics or other medicines during surgery.
• Anyone with a history of liver complaints or any other serious health condition is advised not to take any herbal medicine without speaking to their doctor first.

Which herbal medicines have been assessed by the Regulator?

• Look for PL or THR on the product labels. Herbal medicines licensed in the UK have a PL (product licence) number on the label.
• Traditional herbal medicines registered in the UK have a THR (traditional herbal registration) number on the label. The first registered products under this new scheme are expected to reach the UK market in the coming months.
• Both these kinds of medicines are regulated by the MHRA and meet assured standards.
• Other herbal medicines on the UK market have not been assessed by the MHRA.

How can I tell if an unlicensed medicine is made to acceptable standards?

• Consumers should be aware that unlicensed herbal medicine on the UK market have not been assessed by the MHRA as to their safety, quality or patient information.
• There is evidence that standards vary considerably in the unlicensed sector. It is likely that some companies manufacture products to good standards. However, there is also evidence of poor or patchy standards in parts of the sector. Information about this is regularly published on the MHRA’s website in 'Herbal Safety News'. I
• It is not generally possible for consumers to identify which unlicensed medicines are made to acceptable standards. However, there are a number of pointers, in particular from the product information, which may be indicative of poor or unreliable standards.

Advice for consumers when buying unlicensed herbal medicines

• Treat with caution claims about safety that are not backed by credible evidence. Be wary of products making claims such as :
• • The herbal remedy is “100% safe”
  • Herbal remedies are “safe because they are natural”
  • This herbal medicine “has no side effects”
  • “Chinese medicines will not interfere with the effects of any western medicine”
  • You can avoid Chinese medicines interfering with other medicines if you take them an hour apart.
    
    
• Be wary of any unlicensed medicine suggesting the consumer should stop taking, or change the dosage of, a prescribed medicine. The MHRA advise you not to follow such advice - you should always consult your doctor about making changes to your prescribed medication
• Treat with caution any unlicensed herbal medicine that makes medicinal claims for the product (that is claims to prevent, treat or cure illnesses). These claims will not have been assessed by the MHRA and could be misleading
• Be wary of any product if:
• • It is not labelled in English
  • It does not have information about safe usage
  • The herbal practitioner cannot or will not give a list of ingredients.
    
    
• Apparently similar unlicensed herbal medicines may be accompanied by different patient information. Do not assume that the medicine with fewer warnings is necessarily safer to use.
  

Buying herbal medicines over the Internet

• There is an international trade in poor quality unregulated herbal products. Unlicensed “herbal” products in the UK and elsewhere have been found containing banned pharmaceutical ingredients, heavy metals. Products may contain harmful herbs that are not permitted in the UK. Be aware that unlicensed herbal medicines manufactured outside the UK may not be subject to any form of effective regulation.
• If a product refers to licences granted in other countries there may be no guarantees that the product actually complies with requirements or that standards applied in other counties match those that a UK consumer would expect from regulated products.

What to do if you think you have had an adverse reaction to your herbal medicine?

• All medicines, including herbal medicines, may cause side effects or unwanted reactions.
• If you think you have had a reaction to your herbal medicine, you should discontinue use and tell your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you think you or someone else has had an unwanted or harmful reaction after taking a herbal medicine (commonly referred to as a suspected adverse drug reaction), we would like to know. This will help us give advice to other patients and healthcare professionals - and will help us make sure herbal medicines in the UK are safe.
• You can report a reaction yourself directly to us using a system called the Yellow Card Scheme.
• This can be done online or by filling out a paper yellow form which is available upon request by calling 020 7084 2000.
• Alternatively, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist to report the reaction us on your behalf.
• Any information received by us will be held in complete confidence and your personal details will not be given to anyone else without your permission.

Source: http://www.mhra.gov.uk

FDA attempting to regulate supplements, herbs and juices as "drugs"

When it comes to health freedom, this is the FDA's end game. A new FDA "guidance" document, published on the FDA's website, reveals plans to reclassify virtually all vitamins, supplements, herbs and even vegetable juices as FDA-regulated drugs. Massage oils and massage rocks will be classified as "medical devices" and require FDA approval. The document is called Docket No. 2006D-0480. Draft Guidance for Industry on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products and Their Regulation by the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA is accepting public comments on the docket until April 30th. They tried to sneak this under the radar, but word got out and now the natural health community is up in arms over this rule. If you wish to protect your access to nutritional supplements, herbs, essential oils, homeopathic medicine or any other "complementary" or "alternative" modality, it is crucial that you take action to post your comments with the FDA right now and write your representatives in Washington to put a stop to this outrageous effort to destroy natural medicine. (And be sure to really write them. Just sending an email has virtually no impact compared to writing a physical letter in your own words.)

Click here for the direct link to the FDA's comment posting page for this docket.

This move by the FDA is designed to once and for all destroy the 1994 DSHEA law that has made supplements "legal" while eliminating nutritional supplements and natural medicine from the United States, ensuring monopoly profits and control by drug companies and the FDA. It is the latest action item by the FDA / Big Pharma conspiracy that will not stop until health freedom has been abolished, drug companies rule the nation, and every citizen is diagnosied with a fictitious disease and drugged up on monopoly-priced pharmaceuticals.

FDA "experts" will decide what's a drug or medical device

Under these proposed guidelines, FDA "experts" (the same corrupt officials who reapproved Vioxx after it killed over 50,000 Americans) will decide whether herbs, supplements, vitamins or simple devices like massage stones are to be regulated as drugs and medical devices. If the FDA experts, in their infinite wisdom, decide that these things are to be reclassified, they will essentially be outlawed, stripped from the shelves, and regulated out of existence. Anyone who dares to manufacture, promote or sell such products may be branded a criminal and rounded up by armed FDA agents who have a well established history of suppressing natural medicine.

I've documented much of the criminal history of the FDA in my recent book, Natural Health Solutions and the Conspiracy to Keep You From Knowing About Them, which suddenly seems even more relevant today than when I wrote it. In that book, I documented the FDA ordered book burnings, the raids on vitamin shops, the kidnapping of natural health practitioners, the threats, intimidation and oppression tactics that have been used to suppress natural medicine for nearly a hundred years now. And now, with this CAM Products Regulation effort, the FDA is about to deal a final, fatal blow to the alternative medicine industry, outlawing nutritional supplements, functional foods, homeopathy and natural therapies all at once.

This is not a drill. It really is time to be alarmed. Nothing else I've written about this year is as important as this sinister plot to destroy natural medicine and force the American population to resort to dangerous prescription medications sold at monopoly prices under a system of medical tyranny.

Your access to vitamins, supplements, herbs, and even energy medicine modalities is now directly threatened, and you have until April 30 to make your voice heard.

Action items

First, read the document yourself. Click here for the PDF version.

Take special care to notice the following text, taken directly from the FDA's own document: (italicized text is from the FDA, with my own translation following)

"...a product used in a CAM therapy or practice may be subject to regulation as a biological product, cosmetic, drug, device, or food (including food additives and dietary supplements) under the act or the PHS Act. Second, neither the act nor the PHS Act exempts CAM products from regulation."

Translation: Anything used in any system of medicine may now be regulated as a drug or medical device by the FDA. This includes a biofeedback machine, acupuncture needles, a cup of herbal tea, massage oil, a glass of vegetable juice or even a bottle of water.

"...if a person decides to produce and sell raw vegetable juice for use in juice therapy to promote optimal health... [and] if the juice therapy is intended for use as part of a disease treatment regimen instead of for the general wellness, the vegetable juice would also be subject to regulation as a drug under the Act."

Translation: Raw vegetable juice will be regulated as a drug and must be FDA approved as a drug if it has any health effect whatsoever. Handing a cup of raw vegetable juice to someone and telling them it's good for the detoxification of their liver will get you arrested for practicing medicine without a license and promoting an "unapproved drug."

..."biologically based practices" includes, but is not limited to, botanicals, animal-derived extracts, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, proteins, prebiotics and probiotics: whole diets, and "functional foods". ...a botanical product intended for use in treating a disease would generally be regulated as a drug." ..."functional foods" may be subject to FDA regulation as foods, dietary supplements, or drugs under the Act.

Translation: All foods, supplements, superfoods and functional foods may be reclassified as drugs by the FDA, then regulated off the market.

If... the manipulative and body-based practices involve the use of equipment (such as massage devices) or the application of a product (such as a lotion, cream, or oil) to the skin or other parts of the body, those products may be subject to regulation under the Act."

Translation: Massage oils and creams will be regulated as "drugs" and acupuncture needles as "medical devices." Taking this absurdity one step further, massage therapists who use their fingers to touch patients may have their fingers regulated as "medical devices" and be accused of practicing medicine for merely touching patients.

Things that will be regulated out of existence

It is very clear that the FDA is intending to regulate and ultimately destroy the entire CAM industry (Complementary and Alternative Medicine). Based on the explanations in the FDA's own document, the following things are likely to occur:

• All vitamins, nutritional supplements and functional foods will be stripped of their structure & function claims, reducing them to empty labels where virtually nothing at all is allowed to be stated.


• Vegetable juice will be regulated as a drug. Raw juice retreats will be raided or shut down.


• Growing and selling common garden herbs will get you arrested as a drug dealer.


• Massage oils and handheld massagers will be regulated as "medical devices."
  
• Yoga props, pilates machines and weight machines will be regulated as "medical devices" and require FDA approval before being sold or used.


• Raw sprouts and other anti-cancer foods will be regulated as drugs.


• Bottled water that "treats" dehydration will be regulated as a drug.


• Massage therapists who use hot rocks as part of their therapy will have the ROCKS regulated as medical devices! (It's true. The FDA will actually look at a pile of rocks and declare, "Those are medical devices!")


• Functional foods, supplements, vitamins and homeopathic remedies will disappear from store shelves, pending FDA "review." (The only things remaining will be processed junk foods and pharmaceuticals, which is exactly what Big Business wants.)


• Therapeutic tea products, such as green tea, will be outlawed and confiscated.


• Vitamin store owners will be arrested and prosecuted for "practicing medicine without a license."


• Citizens owning personal inventories of "unapproved drugs" (vitamins and herbs) may have their homes raided at gunpoint and their inventories confiscated by armed law enforcement agents.


• The importation of herbs and functional foods from all countries may be banned.

Keep in mind that the FDA is the same agency that:

• Wants to label irradiated foods as "pasteurized."


• Voted to put the deadly drug Vioxx back on the market after tens of thousands of deaths, even after its own manufacurer pulled it from pharmacies.


• Raided a church at gunpoint, confiscating biofeedback machines and charging that they were "practicing medicine" by counseling church members on issues like depression.


• Openly allows corrupt, "on the take" experts to vote on new drug approvals, even when those experts are taking money from the same companies impacted by their votes.


• Refuses to legalize stevia, the safe, natural herbal sweetener that's used virtually everywhere else in the world. The agenda? Protect the profits of aspartame and other chemical sweeteners.


• Openly allows the mass poisoning of the public with cancer-causing food additives such as sodium nitrite.


• Refuses to enforce its own laws regarding unsafe chemical toxins in personal care products, allowing perfume and lotion companies to continue poisoning the public with cancer-causing chemicals that don't even have to be listed on the label, nor proven safe.


• Ordered the destruction of recipe books that mentioned stevia. (A campaign to keep the public ignorant of the herb.)


• Does everything in its power to protect drug company profits, including discrediting herbs, supplements and alternative medicine.

Does anyone honestly believe that this criminal organization has any capacity whatsoever to act in the public interest? Even many Senators are fed up with the FDA's unprecedented level of corruption and criminal behavior.

Action items, continued...

Read Jon Barron's comments on this rule at the JonBarron.org website

Next, lodge your complaint against the FDA by commenting on this docket through the FDA's docket comment form.

And finally, write your Senator or Congressperson about this issue and let them know, in blatant language, that you will not stand by and allow the criminals running medicine today to take away your access to vitamins, supplements, herbs and homeopathic medicine. Write the letter in your own words, even if it's just two sentences. Individual letters have a hundred times the impact of form letters.

Medical wasteland USA

Everything is at stake here. If the FDA gets its way, the United States will become a medical wasteland, dominated by corporate drug company interests, where the naturopaths are imprisoned and their products destroyed. Supplements and herbs will become contraband, and gardeners who grow their own medicinal herbs may be raided and arrested by DEA agents wielding assault rifles. Simply selling dried broccoli sprouts as being "good anti-cancer foods" may land you in prison, and running a vitamin shop could result in you being arrested for "practicing medicine."

Imagine a nation where Whole Foods stores are stripped of all herbs and supplements, where vitamin shops are emptied and abandoned, where books that promote herbs are bulldozed into large piles and burned, where natural healers are rounded up and "disappeared" into incarceration centers. This is the future that will become reality if the FDA has its way. The plan has been explained to us in plain language. Any agency that openly states "vegetable juice will be regulated as a drug" has quite simply lost its marbles. We're are now clearly being regulated by clinically insane bureaucrats.

With this desperate proposal by the FDA -- clearly designed as a last-ditch effort to save the failing conventional medical industry from a massive public shift towards natural medicine -- the war against health freedom has reached our shores, and the FDA is plotting a 9/11-style attack to bring down the towers of health freedom in one swift motion.

This is the same agency that currently represents the greatest threat to the health and safety of the American people, far outweighing the threat of real terrorism. This agency, we have seen, will do ANYTHING to protect the profits and power of drug companies. It will lie, steal, accept bribes, hide scientific evidence, distort statistics, commit scientific fraud, break federal laws, threaten its own drug safety scientists, conspire with drug company executives, intimidate American citizens and use terror-style tactics to achieve its goals of complete domination over foods, drugs and health.

Why do Americans tolerate terrorism in their own government?

It is time we put a stop to this home-grown tyranny. We have fought too hard for freedom in the United States to allow us all to be steamrolled by a criminal front group covertly working for Big Pharma. The FDA has declared war on natural medicine and the American people, and we will lose our family members, children, brothers and sisters as casualties of this war if we don't stand up now and demand radical changes. It's time to stop this terrorist organization from destroying the lives of yet more U.S. citizens.

Make your voice heard now, or forever surrender your access to supplements, herbs, superfoods and functional foods. By the time the FDA is done with this country, we'll all be eating medication for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Action reminders:

1. Lodge a complaint with the FDA by clicking here. MAKE SURE you include the docket number 2006D-0480. But don't trust this to be enough. The FDA will probably simply delete half the complaints it receives, so don't trust your complaint to actually count. It's important to continue...

2. Send a strongly-worded letter to your representatives in Washington. Be sure to cite Docket No. 2006D-0480. Draft Guidance for Industry on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products and Their Regulation by the Food and Drug Administration. Tell them you support open access to vitamins, herbs, and supplements, and you do not want CAM to be regulated by the FDA.

3. Send this story to everyone you know. Spread the word. Raise the alarm. With enough public support, the FDA will be forced to back off this insane proposal.

And stay tuned to NewsTarget for more news, analysis and action alerts on health freedom. Even though we're under constant attack by criminal organizations trying to disrupt our servers and take us off line, we're still here, beating the drum for health freedom, and hoping that we have enough sane-minded Americans remaining to save this country from its government.

Actual FDA quote is gobbledygook

Here's an actual FDA statement from the CAM Guidance report:

For example, naturopathic cranberry tablets might be labeled for use to maintain the health of the urinary tract. In this example, the cranberry tablets generally would be regulated as "dietary supplements" ...if they were labeled for use to "maintain the health of the urinary tract" rather than "prevent urinary tract infections." The cranberry tablets would be regulated as "drugs" ...if they were labeled for use to "treat urinary tract infections" even if they were labeled as dietary supplements.

Additional phone numbers as listed in the FDA document

Sheryl Lard-Whiteford at 301-827-0379
Daniel Nguyen at 301-827-8971
Ted Stevens at 301-594-1184
Wayne Amchin at 301-827-6739

###

About the author: Mike Adams is a consumer health advocate with a strong interest in personal health, the environment and the power of nature to help us all heal He is a prolific writer and has published thousands of articles, interviews, reports and consumer guides, reaching millions of readers with information that is saving lives and improving personal health around the world. Adams is an independent journalist with strong ethics who does not get paid to write articles about any product or company. In 2007, Adams launched EcoLEDs, a manufacturer of mercury-free, energy-efficient LED lighting products that save electricity and help prevent global warming. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also a noted technology pioneer and founded a software company in 1993 that developed the HTML email newsletter software currently powering the NewsTarget subscriptions. Adams volunteers his time to serve as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and pursues hobbies such as Pilates, Capoeira, nature macrophotography and organic gardening. He's also author of numerous health books published by Truth Publishing and is the creator of several consumer-oriented grassroots campaigns, including the Spam. Don't Buy It! campaign, and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. He also created the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the ending of corporate control over medicines, genes and seeds.

Source: http://www.newstarget.com/021789.html

Natural Herbs & Vitamins During Pregnancy

Although medicine has replaced most natural supplements with a synthetic substitute, there are many who still look to natural herbs and vitamins to provide essential nutrition to pregnant women as well as aid in the relief of some common discomforts.

Many herbalists believe that herbs are often better, cheaper, and healthier than their medical counterparts. However, many medical professionals do not recommend herbal remedies for pregnant women, since safety has not been established through extensive research.

Unlike prescription drugs, natural herbs and vitamin supplements do not go through the same scrutiny and evaluation process by the FDA. As a result, the quality and strength of an herbal supplement can vary between two batches of the same product and between products from different manufacturers. Consumers have little way of knowing if a product will do what the label claims and how safe the product may be. Reliable information about the product may be hard to find, which makes researching these products’ effectiveness more challenging.

What are the risks of using natural herbs during pregnancy?

Although herbs are natural, not all herbs are safe to take during pregnancy. The FDA urges pregnant women not to take any herbal products without talking to their midwife or doctor first. Women are also urged to consult a trained and experienced herbalist (or other professional who is trained to work with herbs) if they want to take herbs during their pregnancy. Some herbal products may contain agents that are contraindicated in pregnancy.

Herbs may contain substances that can cause miscarriage, premature birth, uterine contractions, or injury to the fetus. Few studies have been done to measure the effects of various herbs on pregnant women or a developing fetus.

What are some herbs I should be cautious about during my pregnancy?

Depending on the source, some information will list an herb as safe to consume during pregnancy, whereas another source may list the same herb as unsafe. Therefore, it is best to consult with your health care provider or someone trained in using herbs before taking any natural medicine or herb during pregnancy.

Some organizations that specialize in herbs have done extensive testing on their safety. Often these organizations will list herbs with their safety ratings for the general population and also safety during pregnancy and lactation. These ratings can often be confusing and hard to interpret; this is why speaking with a professional who is familiar with using herbs during pregnancy is recommended. One key thing when understanding the safety ratings is to pay attention to what type of use the rating is for.

For example, the rating for Rosemary is considered Likely Safe ...when used orally in amounts typically found in foods. (Rosemary has a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US.) But in pregnancy, Rosemary is considered Possibly UnSafe ...when used orally in medicinal amounts. Rosemary might have uterine and menstrual flow stimulant effects; avoid using. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of the topical use of rosemary during pregnancy.¹

This is a prime example of how the method of use of the herb changes its safety rating. We know that rosemary sprinkled in your tomato sauce is not a risk to you and your baby. If you were to use Rosemary in a large dose, like that used in medicinal amounts, it could be dangerous for your pregnancy. The same goes for herbs such as Garlic, Sage, Ginger and Tumeric. All of these herbs could be contraindicated in pregnancy when used in large or concentrated doses, but are considered safe when used in amounts found in food. ²

Herbs to Avoid during Pregnancy

The following herbs are considered Likely UnSafe or Unsafe during pregnancy : ³

• Saw Palmetto - when used orally; has hormonal activity
• Goldenseal - when used orally may cross the placenta
• Dong Quai - when used orally due to uterine stimulant and relaxant effects
• Ephedra - when used orally
• Yohimbe - when used orally
• Pay D’ Arco - when used orally in large doses; contraindicated
• Passion Flower - when used orally
• Black Cohosh - when used orally in pregnant women who are not at term
• Blue Cohosh - when used orally; uterine stimulant and can induce labor
• Roman Chamomile - when used orally in medicinal amounts
• Pennyroyal - when used orally or topically

Are there any herbs that are Recommended in pregnancy?

Depending on what type of health care provider you see, they may recommend using herbs to help promote the health of your pregnancy. Remember, never try to self dose or diagnose with any medications, including herbs. Because each pregnancy is different, with its own specific details, the best way to use herbs is under the care of a midwife, physician, herbalist, naturopathic or homeopathic doctor.

Choosing to use herbs during pregnancy is a personal choice, but to ensure the best outcome for you and your baby, you should be well educated on the types of herbs, parts of the herb (root, leaf, etc…) and the way that it could be used (caplet, tonic, tea). The herbs that are considered safe to use during pregnancy are often food or tonic herbs. These often will be found in either tablet form, tea, or infusion form.

Herbs used in Pregnancy

The following herbs have been rated Likely Safe or Possibly Safe for use during pregnancy:⁴

• 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.⁵ You may see “Pregnancy Teas” that are made from Red Raspberry leaf to help promote uterine health during pregnancy. (Read about Herbal teas for more information)
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 will remain cautious and only recommend using it after the first trimester.
• Peppermint Leaf - 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
• Oats & Oat Straw - Rich in calcium and magnesium; helps relieve anxiety, restlessness, and irritated skin

Additional Herbs rated Likely Safe or Possibly Safe:

• Blond Psyllium - when used orally and appropriately
• Black Psyllium - when used orally with appropriate fluid intake
• Garlic - when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods
• Capsicum (Cayenne, hot pepper) - when used topically and appropriately

The following herbs have been rated as having Insufficient Reliable Information Available by the Natural Medicines Database, although many are recommended by homeopathic physicians, herbalists, and midwives who treat pregnant women. More extensive research and discussions with your treating health care provider will help you make the decision about what herbs are safe for you to use.

• Dandelion - Rich in Vitamin A, calcium, and iron; dandelion root and leaf can also help relieve mild edema and nourish the liver
• Chamomile (German) - High in calcium and magnesium; also helps with sleeplessness and inflammation of joints
• Nettles (Stinging 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. Note on the safety of Nettles: Natural Medicines Database gives Nettles a rating of Likely Unsafe, even though it is used in countless pregnancy teas and recommended by most midwives and herbalists. This may be in relation to which part of the Nettles plant is used (the root or the leaves) and how much is used. According to other sources, the use of Nettles is encouraged during pregnancy because of all its health benefits.⁶

Other Popular Herbs that are used

The following are commonly used herbs which have a safety rating of Possibly Unsafe when used orally. Again, these are herbs you would want to do more extensive research on and discuss with your health care provider before using.

• Aloe
• Ginseng (American & Korean)
• Evening Primrose
• Feverfew
• Kava Kava
• Senna

Your Next Steps:

• Subscribe to the Natural Medicines Database for information on other herbs and natural medicines
• Find a certified herbalist in your area or a health care provider who works with natural medicines
• Read about using herbal teas during pregnancy
• Talk with your midwife or physician

For More Information on Alternative Medicine and Herbs:

• Natural Medicines Database www.naturaldatabase.com
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine or (888) 644-6226

• HerbMed http://www.herbmed.org/

• The American Botanical Council http://www.herbalgram.org/

Source: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/naturalherbsvitamins.html