| Okay, so you're pregnant. Great !! The most | | | | pregnant you should not take any herb without |
| important 9 months of your life .The most | | | | first consulting an experienced herbalist, your |
| important 9 months for staying healthy and | | | | midwife and doctor. This does, of course, make |
| feeling stress free. But you need to stay healthy | | | | perfect sense .It would be foolish to take |
| without pumping your system full of artificially | | | | anything even a natural herb without first |
| created drugs . Drugs should only be used in | | | | checking on its safety. |
| cases of emergency but lots of times during your | | | | You should avoid these herbs in pregnancy;a) Blue |
| pregnancy you will feel under the weather, below | | | | Cohosh- can induce laborb) Goldenseal- this could |
| par both physically and mentally. If you don't turn | | | | cross the placenta.c) Dong Quaid) Ephedrae) |
| to drugs what do you turn to ? | | | | Yohimbef) Passionflowerg) Pennyroyal. |
| You can stay healthy in lots of ways during | | | | Herbs which are safe to take during pregnancy: |
| pregnancy. All of them are based on natural | | | | The herb ginger root has been used through |
| medicine . All of them can be effective in helping | | | | history to help alleviate sickness and nausea.b) |
| you look great and feel great for the most | | | | Oats and Oat Straw- these are great sources of |
| important 9 months of your life. | | | | calcium and magnesium and will help you to |
| So what are they ? What are the main ways of | | | | control anxiety ,restlessness and sore skin.c) |
| keeping healthy during pregnancy ? | | | | Peppermint leaf- again useful in helping to control |
| This article is the first in a series of 10 which will | | | | morning sickness and flatulence. |
| look at feeling good and looking great when you're | | | | Red raspberry leaf can also reduce nausea, help |
| pregnant. | | | | with labor pains and even increase the flow of |
| Pregancy and herbs is the area to examine first. | | | | milk. e) Slippery Elm bark- use the inner bark. This |
| Herbs are natural . Herbs have been used in the | | | | can help with vaginal irritation. |
| treatment of medical problems for thousands of | | | | Additionally garlic, dandelion, and chamomile are |
| years and they can be used to help you feel | | | | noted for their healing properties. Chamomile is |
| great and deal with some common pregnancy | | | | relaxing and can help you sleep, whilst garlic is |
| ailments. | | | | great for the blood, and dandelion can help relieve |
| Today most of us neglect them but they can | | | | mild edema. |
| help. | | | | In conclusion herbs, if taken properly and sensibly |
| You need to be aware of which herbs are safe | | | | and in consultation with your midwife and |
| and which are not.. There may be risks in using | | | | professional herbalist, can help you to continue to |
| some herbs in pregnancy. | | | | feel healthy and look good during pregnancy. As |
| - The Risks:a) Herbs can lead to miscarriage, | | | | with anything else some have tremendous |
| injury to the foetus or premature birth.b) | | | | benefits but others could do you harm. Be sure to |
| Whereas prescribed drugs are subject to scrutiny | | | | take care. |
| for safety by the FDA vitamins and natural herbs | | | | A reminder this is the first of 10 articles about |
| do not go through this safety validation process. | | | | the use of complementary medicine in pregnancy. |
| Some herbs may contain ingredients that are | | | | Look out for number 2 in the series : |
| contraindicated in pregnancy.d) Professional advice | | | | 'Pregnancy and Aromatherapy. |
| underwritten by the FDA is that if you are | | | | |