Message #973 - THE_HERBALIST 
Subject: Pregnancy: Herbs You Should Avoid
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      Title: Herbs and Substances You Shouldn't Take During Pregnancy
 Categories: Pregnancy
 
  Stoneseed root (Lithospermum ruderale)
  Jack-in-the-Pulpit root (Arisaema triphyllum)
  Thistles (Carduus benedictus, Cnicus ochroncentrus, and some of the
  :       Cirsium species)
  Wild carrot seed a.k.a. Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota)
  Rutin (in large doses)
  Smartweed leaves (Polygonum hydropiper)
  Ginger root (in doses of one ounce or higher daily) (Zingiber officinalis)
  Tansy leaves (Tanacetum vulgare)
  Pennyroyal leaves (Hedeoma pulegioides)
  Pennyroyal oil (NO ONE SHOULD TAKE THIS INTERNALLY, EVER.  Pregnant women
  :       should not use it externally, either.)
  Vitamin C (in doses of more than about 500-1000 mg daily)
  Angelica root
  Fresh lemon balm leaves
  Bethroot
  Birthwort root or flowering plant
  Black cohosh root
  Cotton root bark
  European vervain
  Ergot
  Feverfew flowering plant
  Hyssop leaves
  Liferoot flowering plant
  Lovage root
  Marijuana
  Mistletoe
  Motherwort
  Mugwort
  Osha root
  Peruvian bark
  Rosemary flowering plant
  Rue leaves
  Saffron stigmas
  Sumac berries
  Sweet flag root
  Fresh wood sorrel plant
  Cigarette smoke
  Alcohol (including beer and wine)
  Raw or undercooked meat
  Radiation (x-rays, some computer monitors)
  Caffeine (coffee, black tea, cola, chocolate, mat‚)
  DES (diethylstilbestrol)
  Aspirin
  Antihistamines, including Ma-huang, Ephedra, Osha root
  Most laxatives, including Flax seed, Senna, Aloes, Castor oil, Turkey
  :       rhubarb, Buckthorn, Cascara sagrada
  Antacids
  Diuretics, including Buchu, Horsetail, Juniper berries
  pHisoHex (or anything else containing hexachlorophene)
  Hair dyes
  Hemorrhoid medications
  Chemical stimulants and depressants (LSD, psychotropics, phenobarbital,
  :       barbiturates, tranquilizers...if you are on any of these for
  :       medical reasons, talk to your doctor before quitting!)
  Motion sickness or anti-nausea drugs (Bendectin)
  Epinephrine (Adrenalin) shots
  Sulfonamides (sulfa drugs) antibiotics (Bactrim, and others)
  Vaccines, anesthetics, mercury vapors in dentist's office
  Steroids and herbs containing steroid-like factors, including Agave,
  :       Ginseng, Licorice, Hops, Sage (which also decreases lactation)
  Hormones (birth control pills, norplant, most commercial meats)
  Acutane (acne medication)
  Excesses of vitamins A, C, or D (vitamins found naturally in herbs are
  :       safer than supplemental vitamin pills)
  Heavy metals:  lead, nickel, cadmium, manganese, others
  Pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides (particularly those containing
  :       Carbaryl), including those in foods purchased at supermarkets
  Fumes from paints, thinners, solvents, wood preservatives, varnishes,
  :       glues, spray adhesives, benzene, dry-cleaning fluids, certain
  :       plastics, vinyl chloride, rubber tuolene
  Lithium, arsenic
  Contact with cat feces
  PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl)
  
  ALSO BEWARE OF THE RISKS OF:
  ~--------------------------
  Incompatible Rh factors (possibly mitigated by one gram of vitamin C with
  :       bioflavonoids taken daily starting at the tenth week (or as soon
  :       as possible)
  Amniocentesis
  Electronic fetal monitoring, either indirect (ultrasound) or direct
  :       (electrode)
  Ultrasound in any form
  Prolonged exposure to extremely high temperatures (hot tubs, saunas, etc)
  Emmenagogues (see list of herbs above), especially during first and last
  :       trimesters.  Some emmenagogues are used by midwives to promote
  :       or augment labor in the last weeks of pregnancy, but this should
  :       be very carefully managed by an experienced midwife and/or
  :       herbalist.
  Common cooking herbs which may encourage miscarriage: Basil, Caraway
  :       seeds, Celery seed, Ginger, fresh Horseradish, Savory, Marjoram,
  :       Nutmeg, Rosemary, Saffron, Sage, Parsley, Tarragon, Thyme,
  :       Watercress (avoid completely during the first trimester, use
  :       sparingly thereafter).
  Goldenseal root (stresses liver and kidneys, raises white blood cell
  :       count, and can cause contractions)