Herbs And Miscarriages
Some herbs and miscarriages go hand in hand. Herbs that can cause miscarriage or abortions are called abortifacients. There have been instances where some women experience premature labor after drinking a cup of tea that contained one herb or the other. Some women reported that they felt internal tightening inside their abdomen. This article focuses on Herbs and Miscarriages. The important herbs every pregnant woman should avoid.
Cannabis
We all know and love the plant, cannabis. This plant gives you the feeling of euphoria, some people experience calm. Cannabis contains CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). Each of these separate components has at least 113 different cannabinoids. There really has been no study that has researched extensively the effects of cannabis on pregnant women. This herb can cause miscarriage and reduced birth weight. But some research shows that it could lower birth weight and sometimes cause abnormal neurological development in babies. Cannabis has also been linked to altered response to visual (sight) stimuli and increased trembling.
Fenugreek
This herb is similar to clover and tastes like maple syrup. Fenugreek has a lot of benefits during pregnancy when consumed in low regular amounts. It helps control gestational diabetes, increases breastmilk production, and helps with breast enlargement.
However, when consumed in large doses, it has its side effects. Fenugreek causes nausea and digestion upsets, also the lady’s urine may end up smelling like maple syrup. This plant reduces the effect of blood clotting. A study also linked Fenugreek consumption during pregnancy to conditions like hydrocephalus, anencephaly, and Spinal Bifida.
PennyRoyal
This plant is a member of the mint family. It is a plant with small lilac flowers with greyish-green leaves. Penny Royal is native to America and Europe and has been used in the treatment of menstrual irregularities. It is also used in herbal abortion. Penny Royal taken orally either as oil or as a tea is known to cause spontaneous abortion. In high doses, it can even kill the mother because of irreversible liver and kidney damage. It is used in insect repellents, and dog and cat flea animal collars. It is also used in fragrances, perfumes, and soaps.
Sage
Sage contains a compound called thujone. Thujone can trigger menstrual periods. It is also known to reduce the supply of breast milk. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that taking sage can cause miscarriage in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. There is really no scientific evidence that shows the effects of sage in pregnancy. However, one study showed that sage stimulated labor by increasing oxytocin levels.
Dong Quai
This herb is a well-known uterine stimulant. The medical community has sounded several warnings on the use of Dong Quai in herbal abortion. It has been used in ancient Asian medicine to treat irregular menstrual periods. It can cause the uterine muscles to contract, which in turn causes the fetus to expel. Back in the day, midwives used dong Quai during the final stages of pregnancy. It can also cause skin inflammations and rashes. Dong Quai contains compounds that have blood-thinning properties. It also increases the risk of cancer. Dong Quai is normally taken with blue and black cohosh to induce a herbal abortion.
Valerian
It is known to be an effective sleeping aid. A study showed that valerian significantly decreased the level of zinc in newborns. Zinc is needed for the developmental stages of newborns. Valerian is usually consumed as a tea. There is no sufficient evidence that valerian causes any other kind of harm to the fetus. However, valerian causes extreme drowsiness in pregnant women. This puts pregnant women at risk of falling and sustaining personal or fetal injury.
Yarrow: (Achillea millefolium)
This plant has been used for thousands of years by the Romans, Greeks, and Vikings. The scientific name is derived from the name Achilles, the great Greek soldier. They used yarrow in the treatment of soldiers’ wounds. The research was done on yarrow and its effect in pregnancy only showed a marked decline in fetal birth weight. Yarrow according to anecdotal evidence, is a uterine stimulant that can cause miscarriage.
Blue and Black Cohosh
These plants are well-known uterine stimulants. These plants have been used for a long time in treating women’s hormone problems. It has been used in the treatment of
- Hot flashes
- Dry vagina
- Night sweats
- Irritability
- Menstrual cramps
Mostly black and blue cohosh are mostly utilized by menopausal women. This is not to say however that it does not have any other uses. When taken with dong quai, it is extremely effective in inducing miscarriages.
Castor Oil
Anecdotal evidence from birth centers has shown that castor oil is a uterine stimulant. It can cause irregular and painful contractions. Castor oil is normally used as a laxative in humans. When taken by some pregnant women, it causes premature contractions and may also cause the baby to pass meconium (first stool) before delivery. Castor oil is a common ingredient in soaps, lubricants and. Chemical powders. Castor oil contains several allergenic proteins. The seeds are also very poisonous. One of the proteins is ricin. This is a dangerous plant toxin and has been used as a chemical agent in poisoning people.
Parsley
Parsley when consumed in food is likely safe. However, large amounts can cause abortion and initiate menstrua flow. People have been known to use parsley for ailments such as bladder infections and skin conditions. Parsley stimulates appetite, and urine production decreases muscle spasms and increases menstrual flow.
Roman Chamomile
The Flowerheads on the chamomile plant are used to make medicine Chamomile has so many benefits that putting it as a herb that can cause miscarriage seems wrong.. Chamomile tea is known to improve sleep, help with anxiety, and help in the treatment of inflammation. In ancient times, the wealthy Romans used to have chamomile baths. These baths were said to help in the healing of sinus inflammation, burns, skin rashes cracked skin, etc.
In a study conducted in 2003 in Iran, 80 women were involved in the study. 40 of them were given 1000 milligrams of chamomile 3 times a day for a week and the other 40 were given a placebo. After a week, 95.2% of women in the chamomile group started showing signs of early labor. Chamomile is one of the most ancient herbs around. It has been used in boosting the immune system and helps with the treatment of the common cold.
Conclusion
As a pregnant woman, your health and that of your unborn baby are of utmost importance. Knowing the herbs, you should stay away from will help you to fruitful term delivery. These herbs can cause miscarriage, can cause low fetal birth weight, spontaneous abortion, a decrease in zinc levels in newborns, and cause a delay in mental developmental growth. There are many other herbs that are uterine stimulants but in my medical opinion, these are the important ones.