Herbs to avoid or use with care in pregnancy and while breastfeeding
Herbal teas are often assumed to be harmless because they are “natural”. Yet some plants can stimulate the uterus, some contain substances that pass to the baby, and for many there are simply not enough data to show they are safe in pregnancy. Below are the plants whose catalog safety note carries a specific warning for pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Plants with a pregnancy or breastfeeding warning
| Plant | Warning | Safety |
|---|---|---|
| Abuta | May act on the uterus; not for use in pregnancy. | Caution |
| Aloe vera | Not for oral use in pregnancy. | Caution |
| Anise | The essential oil is concentrated and should not be used in pregnancy or by children. | Generally safe |
| Ashwagandha | Not for use in pregnancy because of miscarriage risk. | Caution |
| Basil | The essential oil and concentrated supplements contain estragole and should not be used in pregnancy, while breastfeeding or by children. | Generally safe |
| Bearberry | Not for use in pregnancy, breastfeeding, under 18 or with kidney disease. | Caution |
| Bitter melon | Not for use in pregnancy. | Caution |
| Bitter orange | Synephrine weight-loss supplements, especially with caffeine, have been linked to palpitations, raised blood pressure and, rarely, stroke; people with heart disease or high blood pressure and pregnant women should avoid them. | Caution |
| Borage | Not for pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with liver disease or children. | Caution |
| Buckthorn | Not for use in pregnancy. | Caution |
| Cardamom | The long-term safety of high-dose supplements is not well known; in pregnancy, stay with food amounts. | Generally safe |
| Cat’s claw | Not for use in pregnancy. | Caution |
| Chanca piedra | Not for use in pregnancy. | Caution |
| Chaste tree | Not for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding. | Caution |
| Chuchuhuasi | Not for use in pregnancy or liver disease. | Caution |
| Corn poppy | Not for pregnant or breastfeeding women or young children. | Generally safe |
| Fennel | Because it contains estragole, the EMA advises against long-term use in young children and pregnancy. | Caution |
| Fenugreek | Avoid high doses in pregnancy. | Caution |
| French lavender | Avoid in pregnancy. | Caution |
| Goldenseal | Not for use in pregnancy, breastfeeding or newborns; berberine can worsen jaundice in babies. | Caution |
| Greek sage | Not recommended in pregnancy, breastfeeding or epilepsy. | Caution |
| Hibiscus | Avoid large amounts in pregnancy. | Generally safe |
| Horse chestnut | People on blood thinners, with kidney or liver disease, and pregnant women should ask a doctor first. | Caution |
| Juniper | Avoid in pregnancy and kidney disease. | Caution |
| Licorice | People with high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease and pregnant women should avoid it. | Caution |
| Matico | Not for use in pregnancy. | Caution |
| Mountain tea | For lack of data it is not recommended in pregnancy, while breastfeeding or for young children. | Generally safe |
| Muña | Pulegone harms the liver in high doses; do not use in pregnancy or as an essential oil. | Caution |
| Neem | Not for pregnant women or those trying to conceive; neem has traditionally been used as a contraceptive. | Caution |
| Nutmeg | Avoid large amounts in pregnancy. | Caution |
| Passionflower | Avoid in pregnancy. | Generally safe |
| Pennyroyal | Never use in pregnancy. | High risk |
| Rosemary | High-dose oil is not recommended in epilepsy or pregnancy. | Generally safe |
| Rue | It can cause miscarriage and is toxic to the liver and kidneys in high doses. | High risk |
| Saffron | More than 5 g a day is toxic; high doses risk miscarriage. | Caution |
| Sangre de grado | Safety data for drinking it are limited; not for use in pregnancy. | Generally safe |
| Senna | Not for children under 12, in pregnancy or with bowel obstruction. | Caution |
| Soursop | Not for people with Parkinson’s, or pregnant or breastfeeding women. | Caution |
| Syrian rue | It carries a risk of miscarriage. | High risk |
| Walnut | There are no safety data for drinking leaf tea in large amounts over long periods; not recommended in pregnancy. | Generally safe |
| White sage | Internal use is not recommended in pregnancy. | Generally safe |
| White willow | Not for people allergic to aspirin or salicylates, people with asthma or stomach ulcers, or pregnant and breastfeeding women. | Caution |
| Wormwood | Avoid in pregnancy and epilepsy. | Caution |
| Yarrow | Not for use in pregnancy. | Caution |
According to the Turkish Ministry of Health phytotherapy book
The Phytotherapy Practice Book published by the Turkish Ministry of Health in 2022 gives explicit warnings for some plants in its chapters on gynaecology and pregnancy:
| Plant | Warning in the book |
|---|---|
| Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) | Listed among emmenagogue herbs (herbs that bring on menstruation); most of these can cause miscarriage and are contraindicated in pregnancy. |
| Rue (Ruta graveolens) | Listed among emmenagogue herbs; contraindicated in pregnancy. |
| Sage (Salvia officinalis) | Listed among emmenagogue herbs; an oestrogenic effect is also reported. Contraindicated in pregnancy. |
| Mugwort and wormwood (Artemisia) | Listed among emmenagogue herbs; contraindicated in pregnancy. |
| Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) | Listed among herbs that stimulate uterine circulation; herbs in this group are mostly contraindicated in pregnancy. |
| Chaste tree | Should not be used in pregnancy or while breastfeeding; the book notes it may be used only under medical supervision in one specific situation in early pregnancy. |
| Fenugreek | Not suitable throughout pregnancy; not recommended while breastfeeding either, because there are not enough data. |
| Licorice root | Although used as a galactagogue in folk practice, the book states it carries risk and should not be used in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. |
| Flaxseed | Because there are not enough data, it should not be used in pregnancy or while breastfeeding without medical advice. |
| Valerian | Not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding without medical supervision. |
The same book lists ginger both among herbs that stimulate uterine circulation and as supported by clinical data for nausea in pregnancy, so ginger should also be used after talking to a doctor. Fennel tea is reported to be usable in pregnancy and while breastfeeding at recommended doses, though some sources say for no longer than two weeks; anise tea when it does not greatly exceed amounts used in food.
Source: Turkish Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Health Services, Fitoterapi Uygulaması Kitabı (Phytotherapy Practice Book; eds. A. Tekin, İ. Tatlı Çankaya, A. U. Zeybek), Ankara, 2022; chapters on phytotherapy in gynaecology and obstetrics, and in pregnancy, the postpartum period and breastfeeding.
Also: high-risk plants
These plants are poisonous or have serious side effects, so they are not recommended in pregnancy or at any other time; they are in the catalog for their cultural and historical importance.
For nausea
The most researched plant for nausea in pregnancy is ginger; small studies are positive. Talk to your doctor before using it too. See the nausea guide →