Culinary and Tea herbs while Pregnant?

Q: Hi Susun I’ve just been reading one of the articles that I stumbled upon on the internet. Are you able to email me a list of fresh herbs that are safe to eat during pregnancy? Like for instance, Basil, Rocket, Dill, etc.

Regards
J.

 

A: Hello J., thank you for writing. I can share with you some the following sources of information. One of which may be the article you have already read :)

Herbs that are helpful through pregnancy 
Wild foods for Wise Woman parts one and two

From Susun Weed's Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year is a list of herbs and other substances to be watchful of when pregnant:

Before and during pregnancy, completely avoid:

° Smoking
° Alcohol (including beer and wine)
° Raw or undercooked meat
° Radiation (x-rays, video display terminals)
° Caffeine (coffee, black tea, cola, chocolate, maté)
° 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 hexachlorophene)
° Hair dyes
° Hemorrhoid medications
° Chemical stimulants and depressants (LSD, psychotropics, phenobarbital, barbituates, tranquilizers)
° Motion sickness or anti-nausea drugs (Bendectin)
° Epinephrine (Adrenalin) shots
° Sulfonamides (sulfa drugs) antibiotics
° 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, most commercial meats)
° Acutane (acne medicine)
° Excesses of vitamins A, C, or D (vitamins found naturally in herbs are safer than supplemental vitamin pills)
° Heavy metals: lead, nickel, cadmium, manganese
° Pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides (particularly those containing Carbaryl)
° 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)

And beware of the risks of:

° Incompatible Rh factors (possibly mitigated by one gram vitamin C with bioflavanoids taken daily during the last thirty weeks of pregnancy)
° Amniocentesis
° Electronic Fetal Monitoring, either indirect (ultrasound or direct electrode)
° Ultrasound in any form
° Prolonged exposure to extremely high temperatures
° Emmenagogues (see pages 9-10), especially during the first and last trimesters
° Common cooking herbs which may encourage miscarriage: Basil, Caraway seeds, Celery sees, Ginger, fresh Horseradish, Savory, Marjoram, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Saffron, Sage, Parsley, Tarragon, Thyme, Watercress (avoid during the first trimester; use sparingly thereafter)
° Golden Seal root (stresses liver and kidneys, raises white blood cell count, and can cause uterine contractions)

I know your request is of herbs that are okay to use while pregnant, but it is far simpler to list those that are ones to be cautious of, and then, even better, to list ones that have extra benefit for a pregnant woman. Please let us know if we can help further!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Thanks so much for coming back to me. I’ll definitely scout through all the info you’ve sent.

Something I find strange though is under the section Common Cooking Herbs which may encourage miscarriage they list Ginger, yet this is the one thing they all tell you to take if nauseous. Funny, I couldn’t stand the smell of Ginger, so never touched it. I also see that Basil is another one, so I guess pesto sauce is out of the questions.

Many Thanks
J.

 

A: What is tricky really is that some of those herbs are fine as they are usually used - as simple spices, or an occasional tea. It is just in excessive amounts they can be harmful. Of course the term "excessive" is very vague. I say do as you did :) and trust your gut. The list is meant to be a guide, and trusting your gut means literally too... you can feel when something is going awry. Early in my pregnancy I could feel it as I was cramping through the night. I soon got Susun's Childbearing Year book and saw that some of what I was taking at the time to combat a massive cold was an emmenagogue. I was taking it in large amounts too. As soon as I saw that I stopped taking it (was vitamin C I think) and soon all felt better. And I carried my son to term :) So if you really like and crave pesto, you may want to try it and see how you feel, if that feels safe for you ... or.... you may try another herb in place of basil for the time, like a wild green perhaps!

All my best,
Karen Joy

Comments

[Ginger Seaman]

I just found out I am pregnant. My last period ended on the 18th of June. I have been taking ephedra diet pills (Lipodrene) and have also been drinking diet red bull. I think I may have had one or two Linesta sleeping aids.
I have completely discontinued taking any of these substances but I am wondering if any of them could affect me pregnancy or baby.

[KarenJoy]

Hello Ginger, I have largely been away from the blogs for the summer. I did not see this post. It is 2 months later now, how are you doing? (if you are still reading here).

Often we discover we are pregnant and learn early on that something we did may have effected things. The biggest risk of course is miscarriage, and you would know if this effect happened. It is hard to say how what we do effects our unborn babies. The question I would really first start with is how would any answer I could give change what you would do from this point on? Is there something I could say specifically that would matter in your choices? Coming from this direction is easier than fretting over all the possiblities of harm. We all do our best, and as a mom myself, I can say we will screw up!

I hope all is well!!

love and blessings,
Karen Joy

[RR]

Can you have dill when you are pregnant?

[Karen Joy]

RR, I see no reason why not to use Dill herb or seed as a spice while cooking, and consider it beneficial. It takes large amounts of culinary herbs, far larger than usually used, to cause problems, and even then you would often feel if something was having an adverse effect.

Karen Joy

[Giselle Sanchez]

Hi Susan,

Im 8 weeks pregnant and Im coughing green phlegm. What is a natural expectorant I can use since you said basil tea is not good for pregnant women?

[KarenJoy]

This is 2 weeks ago Giselle. I might guess that green phlegm is an infection. I am hoping you are much better!! I would work first to counter the infection, strengthen your immune system and care for your lungs. First top priority is rest. You can read about immune and lung care from Susun Weed here: http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/November04/healingwise.htm

write back if you need,
love,
Karen Joy

[dawood]

COULD A PREGNANT LADY DRINK BUCHU TEA DURING PREGNANCY?

[jasmine green tea]

Nice information, glad to have stumbled upon your post here. :)