Subject: Safety of Herbs in Pregnancy: Long List

From: Michael Moore <[email-masked]>
Date: 25 Mar 1995 07:29:02 GMT

I throw this list out from time to time...it's taken from a file of 
mine found on several sites (an ASCII version of a teaching manual from 
the school, "Medical-Herbal Contraindications")

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PREGNANCY ///////////////////////
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Some of these herbs are relatively harmless, but considering the highly
reactive state of pregnancy, and the fact that fetal growth is a 
template that can manifest pharmacokinetics VERY differently than for 
an adult, they are mentioned.  Others are obviously inappropriate 
because of their neuroendocrine, autonomic or vascular implications.
 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
PREGNANCY: TERATOGENIC/MUTAGENIC
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

PODOPHYLLUM.  (American Mandrake) 
BAPTISIA  (Wild Indigo)...theoretically

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
PREGNANCY: UTERINE VASOCONSTRICTORS 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

ARCTOSTAPHYLOS  (Uva Ursi, Manzanita, Coralillo) if use is continued for
  more than 3-4 days
EPHEDRA VULGARIS  (Ma Huang, Chinese Ephedra)
USTILAGO  (Corn Smut) A feeble ergot analog
VINCA MAJOR  (Periwinkle) Idiosyncratic vasoconstrictor
VISCUM ALBUM (European Mistletoe) May incorrectly be American Mistletoe
  in commerce, a very vasoconstricting plant. 
XANTHIUM  (Cadillos, Cocklebur) More than 6-8 burrs a day can cause
  potential placental separation 

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
PREGNANCY: UTERINE VASODILATORS 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

ACTEA RUBRA (A. arguta, Baneberry)
ALOE (Aloes Socrotine, etc.)
ANGELICA SINENSIS (Dong Quai, Tang Kwei)
APOCYNUM CANNABINUM (Dogbane, Canadian Hemp)
ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA (Virginia Snakeroot, Serpentaria)
ARISTOLOCHIA WATSONll (Indian Root, Raiz del Indio)
ARNICA (A. montana. A. cordifolia. A. latiflora. etc.)
ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM (Wormwood)
ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA (Sagebrush)
ARTEMISIA VULGARIS (Mugwort. California Mugwort)
ASCLEPIAS ASPERULA (Inmortal, Antelope Horns)
ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA (Pleurisy Root)
BRYONIA (Bryony)
CACALIA DECOMPOSITA (Maturin. Maturique)
CHAMAELIRIUM (Helonias. Unicorn Root )
CHENOPODIUM (Epazote. Wormseed)
CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA (Black Cohosh)
CORYNANTHE (Pausinystalia Johimbe. Yohimbe)
CROCUS (True Saffron, "Azafran")  Azafran is the usual name for
Safflowers 
DAUCUS CAROTA (Carrot, Wild Carrot) The seeds.
EUONYMUS (Wahoo, Burning Bush)
FOUQUIERIA SPLENDENS (Ocotillo)
GALEGA (Goat's Rue)
HEDEOMA (American Pennyroyal, Poleo Chino)
IRIS VERSICOLOR, I. MISSOURIENSIS (Blue Flag)
JUNIPERUS (Juniper. Sabina, Sabino Macho, "Cedar")
LILIUM TIGRINUM (Tiger Lily)
LOPHOPHORA (Peyote. Mescal Buttons)
PETROSELlNUM (Parsley)
PODOPHYLLUM (American Mandrake, May Apple)
POLYGALA SENEGA (Senega Snakeroot, Milkwort)
POLYMNIA UVEDALIA (Bearsfoot, Leafcup)
RUTA GRAVEOLENS (Rue, Ruda)
SANGUINARIA (Bloodroot)
SPIGELIA (Pink Root)
STILLINGIA SYLVATICA (Queen's Root)
TANACETUM (Tansy, Ponso, Tanse)
THUJA (Arbor Vitae, Flat, Red or Yellow Cedar)
TURNERA DIFFUSA (Damiana)
XANTHOXYLUM (Prickly Ash)

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
PREGNANCY: CATHARTICS/SACRAL IRRITANTS
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

ALOE (Aloes Socrotine. etc.)
CASSIA MARlLANDICA (American Senna)
CHENOPODIUM (Epazote, Wormseed)
HELIOPSIS LONGIPES (Raiz del Oro, Chilcuan)
IRIS VERSICOLOR, I. MISSOURIENSIS (Blue Flag)
LEPTANDRA (Veronicastrum, Culver's Root)
PODOPHYLLUM (American Mandrake)
RHAMNUS CALIFORNICA (California Buckthorn)
RHAMNUS FRANGULA (Buckthorn)
RHAMNUS PURSHIANA (Cascara Sagrada)
RHEUM (Chinese or Turkey Rhubarb)
SENNA (Cassia angustifolia, Te de Sena )

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
PREGNANCY: OXYTOCIN SYNERGISTS
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

ASCLEPIAS ASPERULA (Inmortal, Antelope Horns)
CAPSELLA BURSA-PASTORIS (Shepherd's Purse, Bolsa de Pastor)
CAULOPHYLLUM (Blue Cohosh)
GOSSYPIUM (Cotton, Algodoncillo) Root Bark
LEONURUS CARDIACA (Motherwort)
LOPHOPHORA (Peyote, Mescal Buttons)
SCOPARIUS (Cytisus scoparius, Broom Tops)
USTILAGO (Corn Smut)

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
PREGNANCY: OVERT DRUG PLANTS (and primary compounds)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

ACONITUM COLUMBIANUM (Aconite, Monkshood)
     Aconitine
APOCYNUM CANNABINUM (Dogbane. Canadian Hemp) 
     Feeble digitaloid
CHENOPODIUM (Epazote, Wormseed)
CINCHONA (Peruvian Bark. Quinine Bark)
     Quinines
CONVALLARIA (Lily of the Valley)
     Feeble digitaloid
CORYNANTHE (Pausinystalia Johimbe, Yohimbe)
     Yohimbine AND some reserpine relatives..an indole stew
DATURA (Jimson Weed. Toloache, Estramonio)
     Atropine effects
EPHEDRA VULGARIS (Ma Huang, Chinese Ephedra)
     Ephedrines
GARRYA (Silk Tassel, Cuauchichic, Quinine Bush)
     Garryine, Cuauachichicine - anti-cholinergics
GELSEMIUM (Yellow Jasmine)
     Gelsemine...an indole alkaloid and CNS irritant
HYOCYAMUS NIGER (Henbane)
     Atropine effects
LOPHOPHORA (Peyote, Mescal Buttons)
NICOTIANA (Punche, Tobacco)
PEGANUM HARMALA (Syrian Rue)
     Harmine (indole alkaloid, MAO inhibitor)
PILOCARPUS (Jaborandi)
     Pilocarpine and other muscarinics
SCOPARIUS (Cytisus scoparius, Broom Tops)
     Cytisine, sparteine (simultaneous Hypo-Hypertensives)
VERATRUM (Green, False or American Hellebore)
     Cardiac depressant

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
PREGNANCY: MISCELLANEOUS WlERDNESS
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

ACONITUM CARMICHAELI (CURED) (Fu-tse, Fo-tzu)
     Peculiar adrenergic, wrong in TCM, and biologically too potent.
ACORUS CALAMUS (Calamus, Sweet Flag)
     Mildly co-carcinogen (Eurasian strain), and may interfere with
     normal PG inter-reactions
AESCULUS CALIFORNICA (California Buckeye) see below
--AESCULUS GLABRA (Ohio Buckeye) see below
--AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM (Horse Chestnut)
     All stimulate myenteric plexus, with unpredictable vascular effects.
AMYGDALIS PERSICA (Peach Tree)
     Cyanogenic, unless prepared perfectly
ANEMONE HIRSUTISSIMA (Pulsatilla, Pasque Flower) anti-dopimergic
BAPTISIA (Wild Indigo Root) CAN mimic Scoparius
CORYDALIS AUREUS (Golden Smoke)
--DICENTRA CANADENSIS (Turkey Corn)
--DICENTRA FORMOSA (Bleeding Heart)
--ESCHSCHOLTZIA CALIFORNICA (California Poppy)
     Above four have mixed protopines
GINKGO BlLOBA (Maidenhair Tree) Many subtle effects, unpredictable
GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (Licorice) Minerocorticosteroid effects
GUAIACUM OFFICINALE (Lignum Vitae, Guayacan)
     Unpredictable vasodilation, feebly muscarinic
HELENIUM HOOPESll (Yerba del Lobo) Contains PAs; potential liver irritant
HYDRASTIS (Golden Seal) Mucosa stimulant, may age placenta
LARREA (Chaparral. Gobernadora, Hediondilla)
     Quirky anti-oxidant, w/hemolytic potential
LOMATIUM DISSECTUM (Leptotaenia) Too bioactive to chance
MARRUBIUM (Horehound, Marrubio) Mildly hypertensive under some conditions
MENTHA ARVENSIS (Brook Mint, Poleo) Has some Pennyroyal constituents
OPLOPANAX HORRIDUM (Echinopanax, Devil's Club)
--PANAX GINSENG (Asian Ginseng)
--PANAX QUINQUEFOLIUM (American Ginseng)
     Above three are anabolic/hypothalamic
PHYTOLACCA (Poke) Idiosyncratic, poorly documented muscarinic effects
PRUNUS (Wild Cherry, Choke Cherry) Cyanogenic when gathered incorrectly
PTYCHOPETALUM (Muirapuama. Raiz del Macho)
     Idiosyncratic motor/sacral stimulant
SENECIO AUREUS (Life Root, Squaw Weed) May be unintentionally mixed with
     toxic Senecios
SILYBUM MARIANUM (Milk Thistle) May inhibit hepatocytes in excess; 
     pregnancy may unpredictably alter therapeutic window
SOLANUM DULCAMARA (Bittersweet Twigs) Too bioactive to risk
SYMPHYTUM (Comfrey) Some hybrids in commerce contain root PAs
TRlBULUS (Puncture Vine, Goat's Head) Ayurvedic Medicine advises not to
     use in pregnancy
VISCUM ALBUM (European Mistletoe) May be unintentionally adulterated with
     American Mistletoe: even if correct, it is too bioactive

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
PREGNANCY: MAY BE PRESENT IN MILK
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

ACORUS CALAMUS (Calamus. Sweet Flag)
AlLANTHUS ALTlSSIMA (Tree of Heaven)
ALLIUM SATIVUM (Garlic)
ALOE (Aloes Socrotine, etc.)
ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA (Virginia Snakeroot, Serpentaria)
ARISTOLOCHIA WATSONll (Indian Root, Raiz del Indio)
ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM (Wormwood, Agenjo)
ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA (Sagebrush, Chamiso Hediondo)
ARTEMISIA VULGARIS (Mugwort, Altamisa)
CACALIA DECOMP0SITA (Maturin, Maturique)
CANNABIS SATIVA (Marijuana, Hemp)
CASSIA MARlLANDICA (American Senna, Te de Sena)
CHENOPODIUM (Epazote, Wormseed)
COMMIPHORA (Myrrh Gum, Mirra)
CONVALLARIA (Lily of the Valley)
DAUCUS CAROTA (Carrot, Wild Carrot) Seeds
DRACONTIUM (Symplocarpus, Skunk Cabbage)
FOUQUIERIA SPLENDENS (Ocotillo)
GALEGA (Goat's Rue)
GINKGO BILOBA (Maidenhair Tree)
JUNIPERUS (Juniper. Sabina, "Cedar")
LIGUSTICUM PORTERI (Osha, Chuchupate)
PlLOCARPUS (Jaborandi)
RHEUM (Chinese or Turkey Rhubarb)
SANGUINARIA (Bloodroot)
SENNA (Cassia angustifolia, Te de Sena )
RUTA GRAVEOLENS (Rue, Ruda)
TANACETUM (Tansy, Tanse, Ponso, "Altamisa")
THUJA (Arbor Vitae, Flat, Red or Yellow Cedar)
XANTHOXYLUM (Prickly Ash)

This isn't exhaustive, but it's derived from personal experience
as a retailer (15 years), manufacturer (20 years), teacher (21
years) and grumpy old capricorn (54 years).

Trust me...I'm an herbalist

Michael Moore ([email-masked])

(GOPHER and WWW)
  gopher://president.oit.unc.edu:70/11/../.pub/academic/medicine
  /alternative-healthcare/Southwest-School-of-Botanical-Medicine
(ANONYMOUS FTP)
  sunsite.unc.edu     /pub/academic/medicine/alternative-healthcare/
  Southwest-School-of-Botanical-Medicine

All the SWSBM teaching and clinical manuals, JPEGs of Medicinal Plant 
photographs and class announcements can be obtained at these sites.