Spices and Herbs by Elaynn

This is the third series of HERBS THAT ARE HARMFUL FOR PREGNANT WOMEN. The last two blogs discussed  herbs that could be harmful to either or both the unborn baby and the mother and herbs that would bring on uterine bleeding and miscarriage. We only discussed herbs that started with A,B, and C. This blog will consider from D to..

ELECAMPANE             miscarriage

ERGOT                       uterine bleeding and miscarriage

FENNEL SEED                      may cause contractions

FENUGREEK SEED         uterine bleeding and miscarriage

FEVERFEW                    miscarriage

GARLIC           large does may cause uterine bleeding and miscarriage

GINGER                    uterine bleeding, miscarriage

GOLDTHREAD                 miscarriage

GOTU KOLA                    may cause miscarriage

GUARANA          contains caffeine, which has been linked to miscarriage

HELONIAS                      miscarriage

HIBISCUS                     miscarriage

HOREHOUND                miscarriage

HORSERADISH                   uterine bleeding and miscarriage

HYSSOP                       uterine bleeding and miscarriage

IPECAC    may stimulate the uterus, increasing the chance of miscarriage

IRIS, ORRIS ROOT             uterine bleeding and miscarriage

JABORANDI             toxic!  May cause birth defects and miscarriage

JALAP                          uterine bleeding

JUJUBE                           uterine bleeding

KHELLA, BISHOP'S WEED uterine stimulant and may cause miscarriage

KOUSSO                                miscarriage

LAVENDER                           uterine bleeding

LEMON BALM                     uterine bleeding

LICORICE ROOT           can cause high blood pressure uterine bleeding

LOVAGE                        uterine bleeding and miscarriage

MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE                   miscarriage

MALAY TEA                               increases the risk of miscarriage

MALE FERN, SWEET BRAKE        may causing vomiting and miscarriage

MASTERWORT                      uterine bleeding and uterine contractions

MILK THISTLE                            uterine bleeding

MOTHERWORT                               uterine bleeding and miscarriage

MYRRH                                          uterine bleeding or miscarriage

NARK                                         uterine bleeding and miscarriage

OREGON GRAPE                              uterine bleeding, miscarriage

OSHA                                 uterine bleeding and miscarriage

PAPAYA                             uterine bleeding or miscarriage

PARSLEY             uterine bleeding, uterine contractions and miscarriage

PASQUE FLOWER                 miscarriage

PEONY                                uterine bleeding

PLIURISY ROOT                     uterine stimulation and miscarriage

POISON IVY                                miscarriage

POMEGRANATE                               uterine bleeding

POPPY                                     miscarriage and infant death

PRICKLY ASH                            uterine bleeding and miscarriage

QUEEN ANNE'S LACE               uterine bleeding and miscarriage

RHUBARB                                               miscarriage

SANDLEWOOD                                   miscarriage

SARSAPARILLA                                  miscarriage

SHEPHERD'S PURSE                      uterine bleeding or miscarriage

SPEEDWELLL                                        miscarriage

ST JOHN'S WORT                        uterine bleeding and miscarriage

STINGING NETTLE LEAF            uterine bleeding, uterine  contractions,and miscarriage

STROPHANTHUS     may cause dangerous heart rhythm problems and uterine contractions

VERVAIN                    miscarriage

WOOD SORREL                uterine bleeding and miscarriage

YARROW                                 miscarriage

YELLOW JASMINE              this herb is a uterine stimulant that can cause miscarriage

UNSAFE HERBS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN Part 2

In my last blog I listed herbs that would cause birth defects and toxic problems for women that are pregnant. In this blog I am going to discuss herbs that cause internal bleeding and uterine contractions and herbs that can cause miscarriage.

Let me mention at the onset that we all have our own views about subjects such as abortion. I also have mine. None of the information here is meant by me to abort a child. I am bringing to people's attention the dangerous herbs. Children are precious and we should not want to risk harming them in any way.

Herbs that will cause uterine bleeding and contractions and/or miscarriage: These should not be taken during the entire 9 months. I am mixing in those herbs that are unsafe after or before a certain time period. If the are not safe after 3 months, to my way of thinking, they are not safe during any period of the pregnancy.

AGAVE can cause uterine bleeding and miscarriage.

ALOE VERA JUICE. Uterine contractions and diarrhea. (avoid during breastfeeding as well)

AMERICAN MANKDRAK uterine stimulant

ANGELICA ATROPURPUREA can cause strong contractions and lead to miscarriage if taken during the early stages of pregnancy. Promotes the growth of fibroid and increase risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

ASHWAGANDHA may cause miscarriage

BARBERRY can cause uterine bleeding and miscarriage

BEE BALM BERGAMOT, OSWEGO TEA uterine bleeding; miscarriage

BEET LEAVES uterine bleeding; miscarriage

BIRTHROOT, BETH ROOT (trillium erectum)uterine bleeding; miscarriage

BIRTHWORT ( aristolochia clematitis)uterine stimulant; miscarriage

BISTORT, SNAKEWEED miscarriage

BITTER APPLE ( citrulus colocynthis) highly poisonous! Uterine bleeding and miscarriage

BITTER ORANGE PEEL uterine bleeding; miscarriage

BITTERWOOD, QUASSIA miscarriage

BLACK COHOSH uterine stimulant, contractions, postpartum hemorrhage

BLAZING STAR miscarriage

BLUE COHOSH uterine stimulant

BURDOCK ROOT uterine stimulant; miscarriage

BUCHU miscarriage

BUCKTHORN BARK may trigger contractions

BUKTHORN FRUIT may cause miscarriage

CALENDULA external use is safe. Internal use can cause uterine bleeding and miscarriage

CALIFORNIA POPPY miscarriage

CAMPHOR uterine bleeding; miscarriage

CASCARA SAGRADA may trigger contractions

CATNIP miscarriage

CELERY uterine stimulant; miscarriage

CHASTEBERRY can cause hormonal changes and uterine bleeding

CHICORY uterine bleeding; miscarriage

CINCHONA uterine bleeding; miscarriage

CINNAMON uterine bleeding; miscarriage

CITRONELLA (LEMON GRASS) uterine bleeding; miscarriage

CITRUS FRUITS excess intake can result in uterine stimulation

COCOA and COFFEE, KOLA NUT contains caffeine,which has been linked to miscarriage, low birth weight, premature delivery and birth defects.

COLIUS uterine bleeding; miscarriage

COLOMBO paralysis;uterine contractions

CORN POPPY miscarriage; infant death

COTTON ROOT uterine bleeding ; miscarriage

We've only discussed herbs that start with A, B, C . As you can see, there are a lot of herbs. I'll continue with some more in the next couple of days.

There are a lot of herbs that I have found in my research that pregnant women would do well to stay away from during the entire nine months of pregnancy. In this blog, I will list the herbs that affect hormone levels

AUTUMN CROCUS birth defects and Down's Syndrome.

BASIL may increase rick of birth defects

BETEL NUT causes birth defects

BITTER ORANGE PEEL birth defects

BORAGE OIL may cause liver damage to the mother and harm to the fetus

BRYONY highly toxic

BUTTERNUT may cause birth defects

CABBAGE, COLEWORT can interfere with mental development in the fetus.

CHASTEBERRY can cause hormonal changes and uterine bleeding

COFFEE low birth weigh, birth defects

COLOMBO paralysis and uterine contractions

COMFREY may cause liver complications in pregnant women and their growing baby. Toxic for the baby.

ECHINACEA may trigger autoimmune disorders

GINSENG alters hormonal balance

HORSETAIL may interfere with metabolism of B vitamins

JABORANDI This herb is toxic, may cause birth defects.

KAVA KAVA this herb is toxic; may cause birth defects and miscarriage

KOLA NUT low birth weigh, birth defects

LEMON BALM external use is safe; internal use may lead to altered hormone balance and uterine bleeding

LICORICE ROOT not the candy. High blood pressure in pregnant women and harm to the baby.

LIVERWORT sever gastrointestinal irritation and should not be used during pregnancy

MADASGASCAR PERIWINKLE birth defects

MATE' low birth weight, birth defects

MUGWORT birth defects

PENNY ROYAL LEAF birth defects

UVA URSI may hinder the blood flow to the mother's uterus.

SAW PALMETTO decreases the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the pregnant mother's body. If the women is having a little boy, DHT is very important for development of his genitals. If a girl, it has anti estrogenic effects that will affect the pregnant women.

SEA BUCKTHORN birth defects

SENNA (Cassia spp) birth defects

SPEEDWELL may cause miscarriage and birth defects.

Avoid the pits of APRICOT, PEACH, CHERRY they contain cyanide.