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Teas are prepared with medicinal plants that have active substances and, therefore, although they are natural, they have a high potential to affect the normal functioning of the body. For this reason, the use of teas during pregnancy should be done with great care, as they can affect the pregnant woman's body and impair the baby's development.
The ideal is that, whenever you want to use a tea during pregnancy, inform the obstetrician who is accompanying the pregnancy, to know the dosage and the most correct way to use that tea.
Because there are very few studies done with the use of plants during pregnancy in humans, it is not possible to state clearly which plants are completely safe or abortive. However, there are some investigations done in animals and even some cases reported in humans, which help to understand which plants seem to have the most negative effects on pregnancy.
See natural and safe ways to combat the discomfort of pregnancy.
Medicinal plants prohibited in pregnancy
According to the results of several studies, there are plants that should be avoided during pregnancy because they have substances with the potential to affect pregnancy, even if there is no evidence. Others, however, are completely prohibited because of reports of abortion or malformations after their use.
In the following table it is possible to identify the plants to avoid, as well as those that are proven to be prohibited (in bold) by most studies:
Agnocasto | Chamomile | Ginseng | Primula |
Licorice | Cinnamon | Guaco | Stone breaker |
Rosemary | Carqueja | Ivy | Pomegranate |
Alfalfa | Sacred cascara | Hibiscus | Rhubarb |
Angelica | Horse chestnut | Hydraste | Get out |
Arnica | Catuaba | Mint | Sarsaparilla |
Aroeira | Horsetail | Wild yam | Parsley |
Rue | Lemon balm | Jarrinha | Sene |
Artemisia | Turmeric | Jurubeba | Tanaceto |
Ashwagandha | Damiana | Kava-kava | Plantain |
Aloe | Foxglove | Losna | Red clover |
Boldo | Santa maria herb | Macela | Nettle |
Borage | Fennel | Yarrow | Bearberry |
Buchinha | Hawthorn | Myrrh | Vinca |
Coffee | Greek hay | Nutmeg | Juniper |
Calamus | Fennel | Passionflower | |
Calendula | Ginkgo biloba | Pennyroyal | |
Regardless of this table, it is always important to consult the obstetrician or a herbalist before having any tea.
Many of the teas made with these plants should also be avoided during breastfeeding and, therefore, after childbirth it is important to consult the doctor again.
What can happen if you take
One of the main side effects of using medicinal plants during pregnancy is the increase in uterine contractions, which causes severe abdominal pain, with bleeding and even abortion. However, in some women abortion does not happen but the toxicity that reaches the baby can be sufficient to cause serious changes, compromising their motor and brain development.
The toxicity of plants unsuitable for use during pregnancy can also cause serious kidney complications, also posing risks to the health of the pregnant woman.