Birth & Breastfeeding Resources 

  As one whom his mother comforts so shall I (God) comfort you in Jerusalem. Isaiah 66:11                                                           

 Along the bank of the of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither nor will their fruit fail. They will bear fruit every month, because water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for medicine. Ezekiel 47:12

USING HERBS SAFELY- CAUTIONS FOR PREGNANCY AND LACTATION

1. Remember what ever you take can effect your baby- this goes for herbs, homeopathy and regular conventional medications.
2. Start simply with foods, edible herbs and improving your nutrition.
3. Use simples or singles first, that way you do not have to worry about interactions and side effects and what caused them.
4. Check with a knowlegeable HCP, and herbalist, some herbs are conventional medications and will interact with them. For example do not use St. John's wort with prozac  (R) or other antidepressants.
5. Sales people in stores are just that, they may/may not have herbal knowledge and are not allowed to prescribe. Get what your HCP says to get, not what the sales person wants.
6. Get some good books and read.
7. MORE is not always better. Homeopathy proves that. Stay with recommended dosages.  You sometimes can use less if stomach upset occurs. DISCONTINUE use if you have breathing troubles or other signs of allergic reaction.
8. Remember that pregnancy and breastfeeding, although tied together in a season, but they are two separate time periods. Herbs may be good in pregnancy , but not breastfeeding and vice versa. Example: fenugreek,  in medicinal doses,  is ok during breastfeeding, but in pregnancy can cause uterine stimulation and possible pre-term labor.
9. To prevent stomach upset you may want to take your herbs with tea or food.
10. Homeopathic remedies can be mixed with herbs, with caution. SAME applies to medicines. Check with your Health care provider first.
11. Check where and how your herbalist, etc. got his/her education.
12. Use questionable/potentially toxic herbs under professional guidance only. Allow your herbalist and Physician work together.
13. Use the herb or medication in recommended doses for the shortest time possible. The least interference for the shortest amount of time.
14. Consult with a professional when using herbs during pregnancy or lactation.
15. Purchase herbs from reputable sources.

There are some other concerns with herbs as the consumer demand for natural remedies increases. Some basic concerns are herbal adulteration, toxic components, and a plants inherent toxicity.

Adulteration of herbs or medicines can happen at any time in the processing of the herb. Many drugs have been recalled due to adulteration and the resulting side effects. Even formula has been recalled due to problems. Some people are concerned that the FDA is not in control of herbs and there are no standards for production of herbal supplements. The American Herb Products Association has strict standards for production of supplements. Like the FDA it is still self regulatory. Adulteration can be accidental or deliberate. The major difficulty is determining that herb labeled, abc is really abc. Reputable companies make sure this is so. Otherwise, it gives a certain herbs a bad reputation with unexpected or dangerous side effects. The FDA also has the GRAS list; a list of herbs that are Generally Regarded As Safe, start with these first.

Some herbs have potentially toxic ingredients. Usually these are herbs that have been tested in high doses and are not the whole herb, but just a constituent of the herb. They are fed to small animals in the dose of 4 adults and have bad side effects.  Some herbs are toxic even in the smallest doses by way of reports of actual injury to humans. I am in no way minimalising the problems that some herbs have toxic components, belladonna, foxglove (digitalis), and others that can be used in conventional medicine. However, some herbs have buffers that inhibit the effects of the toxic stuff. If there is a question just do not use the herb. Those particularly toxic plants will not  be present in the category of medicinal herb.

Adverse reactions to herbs and to conventional medicines can be reported to the FDA. 

Remember when in doubt, don't.