Herbs to Avoid While Pregnant

This list is compiled from the American Herbal Product Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook, not to be used while pregnant unless otherwise directed by an expert qualified in the appropriate use of this substance.

Which cleansing herbs are too strong or irritating?

• Arnica
• Barberry
• Bee Balm
• Black walnut
• Blessed thistle
• Catnip
• Chapparal
• Chicory
• Colsfoot
• Comfrey
• Ephedra
• Fenugreek
• Gentian
• Horehound
• Horsetail
• Ipecac
• Juniper berries
• Lobelia
• Oregon grape root
• Poke root
• Rhubarb root
• Rosemary
• Uva ursi
• Yarrow

Which laxative herbs are too strong to use at this time?

• Aloe vera
• Buckthorn
• Butternut
• Cascara sagrada

Which herbs that affect hormones are contraindicated during pregnancy?

• Borage
• Damiana
• Dong quai
• Licorice
• Sarsparilla
• Siberian ginseng
• Vitex (can be used the first trimester)

Which herbs bring on contractions or bleeding?

• Angelica
• Birthwort (bethwort)
• Black cohosh (may be used in the last 2 weeks of pregnancy)
• Blue cohosh (may be used in the last 2 weeks of pregnancy)
• Cotton root
• Elecampane
• Fenugreek
• Feverfew
• Goldenseal
• Horehound
• Lovage
• Mistletoe
• Motherwort
• Mugworts
• Myrrh
• Osha
• Parsley
• Pennyroyal
• Rue
• Sage
• Tansy
• Thuja
• Thyme
• Turmeric
• Wormwood