Nowadays, medicine has provided a lot of choices to help us maintain a healthy body and relief from discomfort especially on maintaining pregnancy diet. However, there are still other people who believe that natural herbs and vitamins are still better than their synthetic ones. Some women prefer taking natural/organic supplements while watching their pregnancy diet.
Nutrition is very important most specially in creating pregnancy diet plan. Giving birth can be a life threatening process so it’s very important that the mother has a balanced pregnancy diet to avoid any complications. Aside from pregnancy exercise, going green has been the latest trend in balancing a pregnancy diet. Health and environment conscious individuals are now turning to organic products. It’s no wonder that expectant mothers are including natural supplements on their pregnancy menu.
Vitamins have always proved to be helpful, but herbs are different especially in terms of pregnancy diet. Although herbs are not scientifically proven effective, they are cheap and safe. However, some of them are contraindicated for pregnancy diet. For example, using rosemary along with your food is safe, but taking it orally in medicinal doses which require large amounts is possibly unsafe for pregnancy. Some herbs have beneficial properties but there is not enough information to prove that they are safe to be included in pregnancy diet.
Other herbs such as dandelion, nettles and chamomile can be helpful but there is not enough sufficient information to prove that it can be included in pregnancy diet. Pregnant women should consult with their doctor or midwife first before taking any natural herbs to substitute their medicines.
Herbs that are considered unsafe for pregnancy diet when taken orally:
- Saw palmetto
- Dong Quai
- Goldenseal
- Ephedra
- Yohimbe
- Pay D’ Arco
- Passion Flower
- Black Cohosh
- Blue Cohosh
- Roman Chamomile
- Pennyroyal
- Aloe
- Ginseng
- Feverfew
- Evening Primrose
- Kava Kava
- Senna
Herbs that are safe for use in pregnancy diet:
- Red Raspberry leaf – Rich in iron and promotes uterine health. It can also help relieve labor pains, decrease nausea and increase mild production. It’s usually recommended after the first trimester.
- Peppermint leaf – helps relieve nausea and flatulence
- Ginger root – relieves nausea and vomiting
- Slipper Elm Bark – the inner bark helps relieve heartburn, nausea and vaginal irritation
- Oats and Oats Straw – its rich in magnesium and calcium that helps relieve restlessness, anxiety and skin irritation
It is significant to have a healthy pregnancy diet, but women should not be enticed by cheap products with unverified claims. If they prefer to go on natural pregnancy diet, they should consult a certified herbalist to help them. If not a certified health care provider will prove to be helpful.
