Herb |
Reason
for caution |
Alder
buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) |
Strongly
purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods. |
Angelica
(Angelica archangelica) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb. |
Anise and
aniseed oil (Pimpinella anisum) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely. |
Bitter
orange (Citrus aurantiam) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb or in moderate use. |
Caraway
(Carum carvi) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb. |
Cascara
sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) |
Strongly
purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods. |
Celery seed
and oil (Apium graveolens) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb. |
Chamomile
oil |
The oil is a
potent uterine stimulant to be avoided, but the dried or fresh herb is safe in moderation. |
Chili
(Capsicum spp) |
Avoid high
doses as they may lead to heartburn; can flavor breast milk when breast-feeding. Moderate
culinary use is fine. |
Cinnamon
(Cinnamomum zeylanicum) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid the essential oil
completely. |
Cowslip
(Primula veris) |
Strongly
purgative and a uterine stimulant in high doses. |
Elder bark |
Strongly
purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods. |
Fennel and
fennel oil |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely. |
Fenugreek
(Trigonella foenum-graecum) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb or during labor. |
Garlic
(Allium sativa) |
Avoid high
doses as they may lead to heartburn; can flavor breast milk when breastfeeding. Moderate
culinary use is fine. |
Gotu kola
(Centella asiatica) |
Possible
uterine stimulant; use in moderation for occasional teas only. |
Jasmine oil |
A uterine
stimulant best reserved for childbirth to ease labor. |
Korean
ginseng (Panax ginseng) |
Clinical
reports suggest that high doses in pregnancy can lead to androgynous babies (caused by
overstimulation of male sex hormones); use for short periods only. |
Lavender
(Lavendula argustifolia) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb or for moderate use. |
Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra) |
High doses
can exacerbate high blood pressure; safe in moderation. |
Lovage
(Levisticum officinale) |
A uterine
stimulant traditionally used in slow and difficult labor; safe as a culinary herb. |
Marjoram and
marjoram oil (Origanum vulgare) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely. |
Motherwort
(Leonurus cardiaca) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labor. |
Myrrh
(Commiphora molmol) |
A uterine
stimulant that may lead to premature contractions; avoid high doses. |
Nutmeg and
Nutmeg Oil |
Inhibits
prostaglandin production and contains hallucinogens that may affect the fetus; once
erroneously regarded as an abortifacient. Safe in normal culinary use. |
Oregano
(Origanum X marjoricum; O. onites) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely. |
Parsley
(Petroselinum crispum) |
Uterine
stimulant that may also irritate the fetus in high doses; safe in normal culinary use. |
Passion
flower (Passiflora incarnata) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses; safe for moderate use. |
Peppermint
oil |
A uterine
stimulant; avoid the oil entirely, although low doses of the dried herb can be used. |
Raspberry
leaf (Rubus idaeus) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final six to eight weeks and during labor. |
Rhubarb root
(Rheum palmatum) |
Strongly
purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods. |
Rosemary and
rosemary oil |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses; safe in moderation and normal culinary use. aAvoid using the oil
entirely. |
Saffron
(Crocus sativa) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses; safe in normal culinary use. |
Sage and
sage oil |
A uterine
and hormonal stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the
oil entirely. |
Senna (Senna
alexandrina) |
Strongly
purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods. |
Tea, black
(Camellia sinensis) |
Limit to two
cups a day, as excess can lead to palpitations and increased heart rate. |
Thyme oil
(Thymus vulgaris) |
Some reports
claim that it acts as a uterine stimulant, though the research is disputed; the herb is
quite safe in cooking. |
Vervain
(Verbene officinalis) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labor. |
White
horehound (Marrubium vulgare) |
Reputed
uterine stimulant; safe in moderation in cough drops. |
Wood betony
(Stachys officinalis) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labor. |
Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium) |
A uterine
stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labor.
***purgative
|
a purging medicine; something that cleanses or purges the body (via the bowels)
of an unwanted substance |
|