Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy

Scientific Common Part(s)

Name Name(s) Used Form of Use Comments

Achillea Milenrama, Stems, Tea May induce uterine

millefolium Yarrow leaves, and contractions.
flowers

Actaea racemosa Cohosh negro, Root Tea, capsules May induce uterine
Black cohosh contractions.

Adiantum Maidenhair fern, Fronds Tea May induce uterine

capillus-veneris Culantrilllo de (leaves) contractions
pozo

Aloe vera Sábila, zábila, Gel and latex Cremas, Gel used topically is considered
Aloe, babosa Preparaciones, Hoja safe. Avoid ingesting whole leaf
entera, Bebidas preparations as they may
induce uterine contractions.

Alchemilla, Lady’s mantle Leaves Tea, capsules May induce uterine

xanthochlora contractions

Angelica Angélica Root Tea, capsules May induce uterine

archangelica contractions.
Scientific Common Part(s)
Name Name(s) Used Form of Use Comments

Angelica sinensis Angélica china, Root Tea, capsules May induce uterine
Dong Quai, Dang contractions.
gui, Chinese
angelica

Anthemis nobilis Manzanilla Flowers Tea, capsules May induce uterine

romana, Roman contractions.
chamomile

Artemisia spp. Estafiate, Leaves and Tea Various species of wormwood

Istafiate, Ajenjo, stems contain potentially neurotoxic
Wormwood ingredient known as thujone.

Capsella bursa- Shepherd’s Leaves, Tea, tinctures May induce uterine

pastoris purse, Bolsa de stems and contractions.
pastor flowers

Cascara sagrada Cáscara sagrada, Tree bark Tea, capsules May induce uterine
Sacred bark contractions.

Caulophyllum Cohosh azul, Blue Root Tea, capsules May be toxic to fetus and
thalictroides cohosh, squaw induce uterine contractions.
root

Centella asiatica Gotu kola, Steams, Tea, capsules May induce uterine
Centela leaves contractions.

Cinnamomum Canelón, Cassia Tree bark Tea Occasional use as a condiment

cassia considered safe. Taken as tea
may induce uterine
contractions.
Scientific Common Part(s)
Name Name(s) Used Form of Use Comments

Claviceps Ergot, Cornezuelo Fungus Grows in various May induce uterine

purpurea del centeno (sclerotium) species of infected contractions.
cereal grains (rare in
industrialized
countries)

Cinnamomum Canela, Tree bark Tea Occasional use as a condiment

verum Cinnamon, true considered safe. Taken as tea
cinnamon may induce uterine
contractions.

Datura spp Estramonio, Planta entera Tea Various species of Datura are
toloache toxic and hallucinogenic. Avoid
Jimsonweed, use.
stramonium,
moonflower

Dioscorea villosa Wild yam, Cabeza Root and Tea, tinctures, Uterine stimulant
de negro rhizomes capsules

Dryopteris filix- Male fern, Root Tea, extracts, pills May induce uterine
mas Helecho macho, contractions.
Dentabrón

Dysphania spp Wormseed, Leaves and Tea Occasional use as a condiment

Mexican tea, stems considered safe. Contains a
Epazote, Paico toxic compound known as
ascaridol; may induce uterine
contractions. Avoid ingesting
oil, as it is neurotoxic.

Foeniculum Fennel, Hinojo Seeds, root, Tea, pills, capsules, High doses should be avoided,
vulgare leaves essential oil as they may induce uterine
contractions
Scientific Common Part(s)
Name Name(s) Used Form of Use Comments

Harpagophytum Devil’s claw, Root Tea, pills, capsules May induce uterine
procumbens Garra del diablo contractions

Humulus lupulus Lúpulo, Hops Fruits Tea, pills, capsules May induce uterine
contractions.

Hydrastis Sello dorado, Root Tea, pills, capsules May induce uterine
canadensis Golden Seal contractions.

Hypericum Hierba de San Flowers, Tea, pills, capsules May induce uterine
perforatum Juan, Steams contractions.
corazoncillo,
hipérico, St. John
´s Wort

Hypericum Hierba de San Flowers, Tea, pills, capsules May induce uterine
perforatum Juan, Steams contractions.
corazoncillo,
hipérico, St. John
´s Wort

Juniperus spp. Sabino, Juniper Berry Tea May induce uterine

berry contractions.

Leonorus Motherwort, Stem, leaves, Tea, tinctures, syrups May induce uterine
cardiaca Agripalma and flowers contractions.

Lycopus Bugleweed, Stem, leaves, Tea, tinctures May induce uterine

virginicus Menta de lobo and flowers contractions.

Matricaria Manzanilla Flowers Tea, capsules, Enema May induce uterine

recutita alemana, contractions.
German
chamomille
Scientific Common Part(s)
Name Name(s) Used Form of Use Comments

Mentha pulegium Poleo, leaves, Te, Aceite esencial Essential oil should not be
Pennyroyal Steams and used internally; abortifacient
Flowers and liver toxic.

Montanoa Zoapatle. Leaves and Tea May induce uterine

tomentosa Cihuapatli stems contractions.

Nicotiana Tabaco, Tobacco leaves Smoked, chewed Castor oil used as laxative may
tabacum stimulate uterine contractions.
The seeds are very poisonous.

Ocimum Basil, Albahaca, Leaves and Tea, essential oil Safe as a condiment. Avoid
basilicum Albacar stems essential oil during pregnancy.

Origanum spp Oregano Leaves and Tea, essential oil Occasional use as a condiment
stems considered safe. Taken as tea
may induce uterine
contractions. Avoid topical use
of essential oil during
pregnancy; avoid ingestion of
essential oil.

Panax ginseng Ginseng coreano, Root Tea, capsules Safety for use during
Korean ginseng pregnancy not established.

Panax Ginseng Root Tea, capsules Safety for use during

quinquefolius americano, pregnancy not established.
American ginseng

Passiflora Flor de la pasión, Flowers Tea, capsules May induce uterine

incarnata Passion flower contractions.

Pausinystalia Yohimbe Tree Bark Tea, capsules May induce uterine

yohimbe contractions.
Scientific Common Part(s)
Name Name(s) Used Form of Use Comments

Peumus boldus Boldo leaves Tea Contains a toxic compound

known as ascaridol and a
hypnotic alkaloid, boldine.

Piper Kava kava Rhizomes, Liquid extracts, Safety for use during
methysticum root capsules pregnancy not established.

Rhamnus Espino cerval, Corteza Tea, capsules May induce uterine

purshiana Buckthorn contractions.

Rheum spp Ruibarbo, Root Tea, capsules May induce uterine

Rhubarb contractions.

Ricinus Ricino, Castor oil, Seeds Oil Castor oil used as laxative may
communis palma Christi stimulate uterine contractions.
The seeds are very poisonous.

Rosmarinus Romero, Steams and Tea, essential oil Occasional use as a condiment
officinalis Rosemary leaves considered safe. Taken as tea
may induce uterine
contractions. Avoid topical use
of essential oil during
pregnancy; avoid ingestion of
essential oil.

Ruta graveolens Rue, Ruda Leaves and Tea Toxic internally, may induce
stems uterine contractions.

Serenoa repens Palma sabal, Saw Berrys Pills, capsules Bark may induce uterine
palmetto contractions. Unripe berries
are toxic.

Symphytum Comfrey Planta entera Tea, capsules Avoid prolonged use internally;
officinale can be liver toxic.
Scientific Common Part(s)
Name Name(s) Used Form of Use Comments

Tabebuia spp Palo de arco, Flowers, Tea, capsules May induce uterine
lapacho Pau d´ Arbol, contractions.
Corteza
arco

Tanacetum Tanaceto, Flowers, Tea, capsules May induce uterine

vulgare Feverfew Steams contractions.

Tanacetum Tanaceto, Flowers, Tea, capsules May induce uterine

vulgare Feverfew Steams contractions.

Trifolium Trébol, Clover Flowers, Tea, capsules May induce uterine

pratense Steams contractions.

Trigonella Alholva, leaves, Tea, capsules May induce uterine

foenum-graecum fenogreco, Semillas contractions.
Fenugreek

Turnera diffusa Damiana, hierba Flowers, Tea, capsules May induce uterine
de la pastora Steams contractions.

Uncaria Uña de gato, Cat Liana Tea, capsules May induce uterine
tomentosa ´s claw contractions.

Ustilago maydis Corn smut, Fungus Food Safety for ingestion during
Cuitlacoche, pregnancy not established.
Huitlacoche Avoid especially during the first
trimester of pregnancy.

References
• Berdonces JL. Gran Diccionario de las Plantas Medicinales.
Barcelona, Spain: Editorial Oceano; 2009.
• Bone K, Mills S. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy 2nd Ed.
London: Churchill Livingstone; 2013.
• Chaboussant PJ et al. [Behavioural impairments and hallucinations after consumption of boldo leaf infusions]
[Article in French]. Therapie; 2014; 69(5):465-7.
• Dantuluri S, North-Lewis P, Karthik SV. Gotu Kola induced hepatotoxicity in a child – need for caution with
alternative remedies.
Dig Liver Dis. 2011; 43(6):500. doi: 10.1016/j.dld.2010.12.012.
• Gardner Z, McGuffin M (Editors). Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd ed.
Boca Raton, FL; CRC Press; 2013.
• Khare C P. Ayurvedic Pharmacopeial Plant Drugs.
Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2016.
• Khare C P. Indian Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated Dictionary.
New Delhi, India: Springer-Verlag; 2007.
• Mejía-Dolores JW et al. Efecto neurotóxico del extracto acuoso de boldo (Peumus boldus) en un modelo
animal.
Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica. 2014; 31(1):62-8.
• Mendoza-Castelán G, Lugo-Pérez R. Plantas Medicinales en los Mercados de México.
Chapingo, Estado de México:Universidad Autónoma Chapingo; 2011.
• Mills S, Bone K. Essential Guide to Herbal Safety.
St. Louis, MO: Churchill-Livingstone/Elsevier; 2005.
• Quattrocchi, U. World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants (4 vols.).
Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2012.
• Romm A. Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health.
New York: Elsevier; 2010.
• Van Wyk E, Wink M. Phytomedicines, Herbal Drugs, and Poisons.
Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press: 2014.
• Veitch N, Smith M, Barnes J, Anderson L, Phillipson D. Herbal Medicines 4th ed.
London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2013
• Vohora D, Vohora S. Safety Concerns for Herbal Drugs.
Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2016.
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