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