Are Natural Herbals Safe for Pregnant Women?

Pregnant women should have complete nutrition and they should be healthy because they are eating for themselves plus the baby in their womb. Staying healthy means an overall package of health and lifestyle practices and it should be closely adhere to when you are carrying a baby. This is also true for all of us. When you are pregnant, you are not one but two already and you are responsible for the baby in your womb. Making sure that you are healthy and eating proper nutrients are good for the baby in your womb because overall health starts when you are still in the womb. The role of natural herbals for pregnant women are well researched by the different relevant agencies like the American Pregnancy Association which states that the use of herbal medicine for pregnant women should be guided by a health provider. It means there are herbals which are safe for pregnant women but should be taken with proper consultation with a health provider.

The topic of this hub is about natural herbal remedies and whether it is safe during pregnancy. Many today are resorting to herbal or the natural way of healing because it is plant based and researched found out that plant based medicine can cure or even prevent sickness. It has been a practice in ancient times to take natural herbal medicines to cure or for prevention purposes.

• Peppermint Leaf and Ginger Root - this is helpful when you are sick in the first three month so pregnancy.
• Elm Bark - it relieves nausea and vomiting plus heartburn and itchiness in vagina
• Blond Psyllium and Black Psyllium - when used orally and appropriately and proper fluid intake
• Garlic - it should be used in an amount which is appropriate
• Capsicum or hot pepper - this should be used topically and with caution
• Red Raspberry Leaf - is helpful in the uterus to tone it and if you want to breastfed after giving birth it is helpful with milk production, plus it will ease you when you're feeling sick and want to throw up. This leaf is very rich in Iron as this vitamin is needed when you're pregnant.
• Oats & Oat Straw- this is very rich in calcium and magnesium plus it helps relieve feeling of depression, and irritability in skin

According to the Natural Medicines Database, the following herbal medicines are being used by herbalists, physicians, and midwives who treat women but a proper consultation with your health care provider is needed, plus the following herbals needs further research about their effectiveness and safeness.

• Chamomile is very rich in Magnesium and Calcium and helps if you cant sleep
• Nettles - are very rich in Vitamins A, C and K, and Iron and it is a very good tonic High in vitamins A, C, K , calcium, potassium, and iron. According to American Pregnancy Association, they use this in many pregnancy teas because "it is a great all around pregnancy tonic, but the "Natural Medicines Database" gives Nettles a rating of Likely Unsafe"because even though it is used in countless pregnancy teas and recommended by most midwives and herbalists the use is contingent upon which part of the Nettles plant is used (the root or the leaves) and how much is used, and according to other sources, the use of Nettles is encouraged during pregnancy because of its health benefits"--
• Dandelion - Rich in Vitamin A, calcium, and iron; dandelion root and leaf can also help relieve mild edema and nourish the liver
• Aloe, Ginseng (American & Korean), Evening Primrose, Feverfew, Kava Kava, Senna should be taken with further consultation with health provider

Since you are the one responsible for your total health and your baby, total caution is required when you are expectring, please consult a health provider when taking supplements -- vitamins and herbals. There are herbals safe with pregnant women, but the manner in which you take them and the dosage should be approved by a health provider. Overall care for your health is needed when you're expecting a baby.