Herbs to completely avoid during pregnancy:
| Herb | Reason to avoid |
| Aloe Vera | The leaves are strongly purgative and should not be taken internally. |
| Arbor vitae (Thuja occidentalis) | A uterine and menstrual stimulant that could damage the fetus. |
| Autumn crocus (Colichicum autumnale) | Can affect cell division and lead to birth defects. |
| Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) | Contains high levels of berberine, known to stimulate uterine contractions. |
| Basil oil | A uterine stimulant; use only during labour. |
| Beth root (Trillium erectum) | A uterine stimulant; use only during labour. |
| Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosus) | May lead to premature contractions; avoid unless under professional guidance. Safe to use during childbirth. |
| Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) | A uterine stimulant that in quite small doses also causes vomiting. |
| Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) | A uterine stimulant to avoid unless under professional guidance. Safe to use during childbirth. |
| Broom (Cytisus scoparius) | Causes uterine contractions so should be avoided during pregnancy; in parts of Europe it is given after the birth to prevent blood loss. |
| Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus) | Interferes with hormone production in the pituitary gland, so best avoided. |
| Clove oil | A uterine stimulant used only during labour. |
| Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) | Contains toxic chemicals that will cross the placenta; do not take internally. |
| Cotton root (Gossypium herbaceum) | Uterine stimulant traditionally given to encourage contractions during a difficult labour, but rarely used medicinally today. |
| Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) | Uterine stimulant, oxytocic. |
| Dong quai (Angelica polymorpha var. sinensis) | Uterine and menstrual stimulant, best avoided during pregnancy; ideal after childbirth. |
| False unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum) | A hormonal stimulant to avoid unless under professional guidance. |
| Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) | Uterine stimulant; may cause premature contractions. |
| Golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis) | Uterine stimulant; may lead to premature contractions but safe during childbirth. |
| Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) | Uterine stimulant; may cause premature contractions. |
| Juniper and juniper oil (Juniperus communis) | A uterine stimulant; use only during labour. |
| Lady's mantle (Alchemilla xanthoclora) | A uterine stimulant; use only in labour. |
| Liferoot (Senecio aureus) | A uterine stimulant containing toxic chemicals that will cross the placenta. |
| Mistletoe (Viscum album) | A uterine stimulant containing toxic chemicals that may cross the placenta. |
| Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris) | A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding. |
| American pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides) | Reputed uterine stimulant to be avoided during pregnancy. |
| European pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) | A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding. |
| Peruvian bark (Cinchona officinalis) | Toxic; excess may cause blindness and coma. Used to treat malaria and given during pregnancy only to malaria sufferers under professional guidance. |
| Pokeroot (Phytolacca decandra) | May cause birth defects. |
| Pseudoginseng (Panax notoginseng) | May cause birth defects. |
| Pulsatilla (Anemone pulsatilla) | Menstrual stimulant best avoided during pregnancy; limited use during lactation. |
| Rue (Ruta graveolens) | Uterine and menstrual stimulant; may cause premature contractions. |
| Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) | A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects. |
| Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) | A uterine stimulant; use only during labour. |
| Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) | A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding. |
| Squill (Urginea maritima) | A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects. |
| Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) | A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects. |
| Wild yam (Diascorea villosa) | A uterine stimulant to avoid unless under professional guidance; safe during labour. |
| Wormwood (Artemisia absinthum) | A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding. |
Herbs to use only in moderation during pregnancy:
| 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 labour. |
| 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 labour. |
| 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 labour; 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 labour. |
| 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 labour. |
| 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. Avoid 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 labour. |
| 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 labour. |
| Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) | A uterine stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labour. |
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