Herbal Options in Pregnancy: A Review
Sunita Singh, Pramod K. Bharti, Yogesh Shivhare1, Priya
Singh2*
1Department
of Pharmacognosy, RKDF College of Pharmacy, Bhopal (M.P.), India
2Department
of Pharmacognosy,
STRACT:
Plants have been linked with
the fitness of mankind from time immemorial. Several herbal drugs are used for the treatment of various diseases. In
case of pregnancy, some precautions were taken while using drugs either they
are synthetic or herbal. This review highlights those medicinal plant drugs
which are safe in pregnancy for the treatment and prevention of various
diseases.
KEYWORDS: Pregnancy, Plants, Herbal drugs
INTRODUCTION:
Plants have been linked with
the fitness of mankind from time immemorial. Herbal medicine is based on
the idea that plants contain natural substances that can promote health and
assuage illness. In recent times, focus on plant research has increased all
over the world and a large body of evidence has collected to show enormous
prospective of medicinal plants used in various traditional systems. Today, we
are witnessing a great deal of public interest in the use of herbal remedies.1
Pregnancy is the condition in which
an embryo or foetus is developing into female’s
body. The signs of pregnancy include
cessation of menstruation, morning sickness, breast enlargement and progressive
enlargement of abdomen.2 Drugs taken by a pregnant
woman reach the fetus primarily by crossing the placenta, the same route taken
by oxygen and nutrients, which are needed for the fetus's growth and
development. Drugs that a pregnant woman takes during pregnancy can affect the
fetus in several ways.
·
Drugs
can act directly on the fetus, causing damage, abnormal development (leading to
birth defects), or death.
·
Drugs
can alter the function of the placenta, usually by causing blood vessels to
narrow (constrict) and thus reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the
fetus from the mother. Sometimes the result is a baby that is underweight and
underdeveloped.
·
Drugs
can cause the muscles of the uterus to contract forcefully, indirectly injuring
the fetus by reducing its blood supply or triggering preterm labor and
delivery.
This review highlights those medicinal plant drugs
which are safe in pregnancy for the treatment and prevention of various
diseases.
Table 1 Plant drugs used
in Pregnancy 3-5
|
S.N. |
Plant
Name |
Reason
to use |
|
1 |
Black Haw |
Used in the early stages of pregnancy to help prevent
miscarriage |
|
2 |
Blessed Thistle |
Used in the latter stages of pregnancy as a liver tonic and
builder |
|
3 |
Burdock Root |
Liver booster |
|
4 |
Chamomile |
Anti-inflammatory, Relaxes
for good sleep |
|
5 |
Dandelion |
Diuretic, useful for fatigue and exhaustion, liver booster |
|
6 |
Ginger Root |
used for morning sickness and digestive problems |
|
7 |
Kelp |
High in vitamins and minerals, aids thyroid |
|
8 |
Nettle Leaf |
Aids in enriching and stimulating flow of milk |
|
9 |
Red Raspberry Leaf |
Nourishes the uterine muscles |
|
10 |
Spirulina |
High in vitamins and nutrients |
|
11 |
Blue
and Black Cohosh |
Stops
and eliminates false labor |
|
12 |
Echinacea |
Aids
the immune system to help prevent colds, flu, and infections |
|
13 |
False
Unicorn |
Prevent
miscarriage |
|
14 |
Golden
Seal |
It
cause uterine contractions |
|
15 |
Lobelia |
Use
the liquid topically |
|
16 |
Nettles |
It will guard against excessive bleeding. It
will improve kidney function |
|
17 |
Peppermint |
It
is an all-over body strengthener and cleanser |
|
18 |
Wild
Yam |
For
pregnancy pain, nausea or cramping |
|
19 |
Yellow
Dock |
Aids
in iron assimilation and will help to prevent infant jaundice |
|
20 |
Alfalfa |
Blood clotting |
|
21 |
Rose Hips |
Rose hips are an exceptional source of vitamin C |
|
22 |
Psyllium |
It
is a good fiber supplement to take safely to relieve constipation |
|
23 |
White oak bark |
It
works with pregnancy hemorrhoids |
|
24 |
Butcher's Broom |
It
helps prevent and reduce varicose veins |
|
25 |
Oat straw Grass |
Natural calcium |
|
26 |
Papaya |
Used in gas problems |
|
27 |
Mint |
Used in gas problems |
|
28 |
Marjoram |
Used in insomnia |
|
29 |
Cabbage
Leaves |
Used in mastitis |
|
30 |
Basil |
Used in morning sickness |
CONCLUSION:
It may be concluded that summarized plants are
useful in pregnancy, for the treatment of various diseases and problems. These
plants are also beneficial in developing newer drugs
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
Mr. Yogesh
Shivhare and Miss Priya
Singh, the authors, would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. A. K. Singhai Principal, Lakshmi Narain College of Pharmacy, Bhopal and Mr. Rakesh Punekar, Vice-principal,
RKDF College of Pharmacy, Bhopal (M.P.) for constant support during this work.
Table 2 Plant drugs NOT
used in Pregnancy 6-9
|
S.N. |
Plant
Name |
Reason
to avoid |
|
1 |
Aloe Vera |
The leaves are
strongly purgative and should not be taken internally |
|
2 |
Arbor vitae |
A uterine and
menstrual stimulant that could damage the fetus |
|
3 |
Lycopus
virginicus |
Interferes
with hormone production in the pituitary gland, so best avoided |
|
4 |
Tanacetum
parthenium |
Uterine
stimulant, it may cause premature contractions |
|
5 |
Chelidonium
majus |
Uterine
stimulant, it may cause premature contractions |
|
6 |
Senecio
aureus |
A uterine
stimulant containing toxic chemicals that will cross the placenta |
|
7 |
Viscum
album |
A uterine stimulant
containing toxic chemicals that may cross the placenta |
|
8 |
Artemesia
vulgaris |
Avoid when
breastfeeding |
|
9 |
Cinchona officinalis |
Toxic, Excess
may cause blindness and coma. |
|
10 |
Phytolacca
decandra |
It may cause birth defects |
|
11 |
Anemone pulsatilla |
Menstrual
stimulant best avoided during pregnancy |
|
12 |
Ruta
graveolens |
Uterine and
menstrual stimulant, it may cause premature contractions |
|
13 |
Artemisia absinthum |
Avoid when
breastfeeding |
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Received on 23.02.2011
Modified on 28.02.2011
Accepted
on 15.03.2011
©
A&V Publication all right reserved
Research
J. Science and Tech. 3(3): May-June.
2011: 127-128