Pregnancy food safety · 3 entries
Herbs during pregnancy
Of the 3 herbs entries here, 1 is fine and 2 are worth avoiding. Usually it's how something was cooked or stored that decides it, not the food itself — each entry says which, and why.
Every herbs entry, with a verdict
Sorted with the ones worth knowing about first. Avoid means skip it entirely; take care means it depends on how it was prepared.
Possibly unsafe herbs
AvoidThere are "possibly unsafe" herbs that you can consume only after approval of your doctor, as supplements or strong medicinal teas: American and Korean ginseng, evening primrose, feverfew, kava kava and senna, dandelion, chamomile, nettles, and blue or black cohosh. There are no studies that prove that these herbs are safe or not, so better think twice before consuming them. An ordinary cup of tea is a different thing.
Herbs to avoid
AvoidHere is a list of herbs that are unsafe during pregnancy: black cohosh, blue cohosh, dong quai, ephedra, yohimbe, passion flower, roman chamomile, saw palmetto, goldenseal, pau d'arco and pennyroyal. It is also best to avoid aloe vera taken by mouth, barberry, basil oil, Devil's claw, feverfew, juniper oil, mistletoe, mugwort, autumn crocus and arbor vitae. All of that means supplements, tinctures, essential oils and strong medicinal teas, which aren't reviewed for safety. Cooking is another matter: basil, mint, parsley, rosemary and thyme in your food are fine. Try to avoid the rest in any form.
Almost all types of eatable herbs
SafeHerbs are great and can be a good addition to your meal, both fresh home-grown and store-bought. Wash well before eating or cooking.
Other categories
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