Herbal medicinal products during pregnancy: are they safe?

Ernst, Edzard

doi:10.1016/s1470-0328(02)01009-1

Cited by 48 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Women are the most frequent users of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, (CAM), [1][2][3][4][5][6] compared to men they are more likely to use CAM and to self-treat using CAM products and therapies. [7] It would not be surprising that they would continue to use them in pregnancy where the prevalence of CAM has been reported to be as high as 87%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[8] Studies have shown that CAM products in pregnancy are most often used for the relief of nausea, vomiting, [7,[9][10] anxiety, stress, depression, backache, labour induction, headaches, migraine, urinary tract problems, cough/cold and indigestion. [11][12][13] Women may choose CAM in pregnancy to have control over their own health care, to continue a preferred way of treating their health, to use more natural (and hence perceived safer) treatment options in pregnancy and child birth, [5,9,14] or to select a treatment choice not covered by conventional medicine such as herbal raspberry leaf [15] or homeopathic Caullophylum [16] to prepare the womb and cervix for childbirth. Many studies confirm that herbal medicine, homeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology, massage and acupuncture are popular CAM treatments employed by pregnant women.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in pregnancy: Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)

Bishop

Northstone

Green

et al. 2011

Complementary Therapies in Medicine

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word count: 297 Main text word count: 2999Page 2 of 16 ObjectivesTo report the frequency of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use by a population of pregnant women in the UK. DesignFour postal self-completion questionnaires completed at 8, 12, 18 and 32 weeks' gestation provided the source of CAMs used. Questions asked for written descriptions about the use of any treatments, pills, medicines, ointments, homeopathic medicines, herbal medicines, supplements, drinks and herbal teas. SettingAn observational, population-based, cohort study of parents and children of 14541 pregnant women residing within the former county of Avon in south-west England. Data was available for 14115 women. ResultsOver a quarter (26.7%; n=3774) of women had used a CAM at least once in pregnancy, the use rising from 6% in the 1 st trimester to 12.4% in the 2 nd to 26.3% in the 3 rd . Herbal teas were the most commonly reported CAM at any time in pregnancy (17.7%; n=2499) followed by homeopathic medicine (14.4%; n=2038) and then herbal medicine (5.8%; n=813). The most commonly used herbal product was chamomile used by 14.6% of women, the most commonly used homeopathic product was Arnica used by 3.1% of women. Other CAMs (osteopathy, aromatherapy, acupuncture/acupressure, Chinese herbal medicine, chiropractic, cranial sacral therapy, hypnosis, non-specific massage and reflexology) accounted for less than 1% of users. ConclusionsCAM use in pregnancy, where a wide range of CAMs has been assessed, has not been widely reported. Studies that have been conducted report varying results to this study (26.7%) by between 13.3% and 87% of pregnant women. Survey results will be affected by a number of factors namely the inclusion/exclusion of vitamins and minerals, the timing of data collection, the country of source, the number of women surveyed, and the different selection criteria of either recruiting women to the study or of categorising and identifying a CAM treatment or product.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in pregnancy: Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)

Bishop

Northstone

Green

et al. 2011

Complementary Therapies in Medicine

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“…No specific therapy exists for Aconitum poisoning, so it should not be used in pregnancy 10,15 Acorus calamus L., Bach: In view of toxic property of betaasaron associated with Calamus, it should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation. It has emmenagogue and genotoxic activity 11,16 Adhatoda zeylanica, Adusa / Vasaka: Abortifacient and hence should not be used during pregnancy, Uterotonic activity, Root bark powder decoction 50-100 ml. 17,13 Aloe barbadensis, Elwa / Ghrita-kumari: Large doses may Leads to accumulation of blood in pelvic region and reflux stimulation of uterine muscles and may bring about abortion or premature birth in late pregnancy active principal (Anthraquinones) generally appears in milk, contra indicated in pregnancy and lactation, Dosage:-50-200 mg, 12,13,11,10 Anemone pulsatilla, Shaqaaq-un-nomam: contraindicated in pregnancy.…”

Section: Adverse Effect and Safety Of Traditional Drugs In Pregnant Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Irritant, toxic, allergic, avoided in lactation, dose powder 1-3 gm, uterine stimulant. 13,11,16 Anthemis nobilis linn, Baboonaj roomi / Roman chamomile: Avoid oil completely in pregnancy as it is uterine stimulant. Internal, Consumption of whole plant should also be avoided during early pregnancy.…”

Section: Adverse Effect and Safety Of Traditional Drugs In Pregnant Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…13,16 Carthamus tinctorius , Qurtum / kusumbha: The flowers and seeds are contraindicated during pregnancy. Powder 1-3 gm, Emmenagogue and abortifacient effects 13,16 Cassia angustifolia, Sannaa / Svarna -pattri: contraindicated during pregnancy and while nursing not to be used in children under 12 years of age prolong use cause loss of electrolyte, potassium resulting in Albuminurea and haematuria. Not for use while nursing Senna alexandrina is part of the formulation to be used for constipation, this stimulant laxative is the most commonly used anthranoid laxative.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Use of Traditional Drugs in Pregnant and Nursing Mothers: A Review of Associated Adverse Drug Reactions

Hamiduddin¹,

Aslam²,

Sofi³

et al. 2016

J. Pharm. Sci. Innov.

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The condition of carrying a developing embryo in the uterus and breast feeding of baby by mothers requires special precautions in term of intake of medicines. Usage of traditional drugs also requires some vigilance in respects of its adverse drugs reactions. The particular dangers of these preparations come rather from the belief that they are natural and therefore necessarily safe in pregnancy. Since last few decades' tremendous research work has been done of the various aspect of medicinal plants on pharmacognostic and chemical aspect, but aspect of safety and toxicity particularly, in pregnancy and lactation, is the most neglected area. These medicines are considering safer then allopathic drugs, but several plant species are proven be toxic in these conditions. For example, volatile oil containing drugs can be abortifacient, Irritant to genitourinary tract (can cause uterine contractions). Some constituents also have got action on uterus. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids can cause Hepatotoxicity in a new born. Some are strong diuretic and laxative (can cause water / salt lose), hormonally active, mutagenic, ginotoxic, teratogenic, etc. So these drugs are better avoided during pregnancy and lactations. An attempt can be made to identify herbal / traditional ingredients that have potential toxic effect on pregnancy and lactating women and also about their potential interfere with specific categories of conventional drugs based on their phytochemical, pharmacological properties and many documented side effects and also due to adulteration by heavy metals & microbial contaminations in relevance with classical Unani & Ayurvedic / traditional literature. Details of these drugs will be discussed in the present work.

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A Critical Approach to Evaluating Clinical Efficacy, Adverse Events and Drug Interactions of Herbal Remedies

Izzo

Hoon-Kim

Radhakrishnan

et al. 2016

Phytotherapy Research

462

422

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Systematic reviews and meta-analyses represent the uppermost ladders in the hierarchy of evidence. Systematic reviews/meta-analyses suggest preliminary or satisfactory clinical evidence for agnus castus (Vitex agnus castus) for premenstrual complaints, flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) for hypertension, feverfew (Tanacetum partenium) for migraine prevention, ginger (Zingiber officinalis) for pregnancy-induced nausea, ginseng (Panax ginseng) for improving fasting glucose levels as well as phytoestrogens and St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) for the relief of some symptoms in menopause. However, firm conclusions of efficacy cannot be generally drawn. On the other hand, inconclusive evidence of efficacy or contradictory results have been reported for Aloe vera in the treatment of psoriasis, cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) in cystitis prevention, ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) for tinnitus and intermittent claudication, echinacea (Echinacea spp.) for the prevention of common cold and pomegranate (Punica granatum) for the prevention/treatment of cardiovascular diseases. A critical evaluation of the clinical data regarding the adverse effects has shown that herbal remedies are generally better tolerated than synthetic medications. Nevertheless, potentially serious adverse events, including herb-drug interactions, have been described. This suggests the need to be vigilant when using herbal remedies, particularly in specific conditions, such as during pregnancy and in the paediatric population. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Herbal medicinal products during pregnancy: are they safe?

Cited by 48 publications

References 19 publications

The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in pregnancy: Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)

The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in pregnancy: Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)

Use of Traditional Drugs in Pregnant and Nursing Mothers: A Review of Associated Adverse Drug Reactions

A Critical Approach to Evaluating Clinical Efficacy, Adverse Events and Drug Interactions of Herbal Remedies

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