- 3School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
This review assesses the safety of elderberry and echinacea during pregnancy. Both herbs are frequently used to treat or prevent upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), and studies have revealed that pregnant women also utilise them. From their inception through November 2013, the electronic databases PubMed, ISI Web of Science, AMED, EMBASE, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, and Cochrane Library were searched. The collected articles’ pertinent references were also used. There were no clinical studies found that addressed the safety of either plant during pregnancy. Two modest animal studies and one prospective human study on the safety of echinacea during pregnancy were found. There were no reports of elderberry safety in pregnancy in either animal or human research. Between 1995 and 2013, 20 clinical trials examining the effectiveness of various echinacea formulations in diverse population groups were found. Between 1995 and 2013, three clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of two distinct elderberry preparations were found. It is not possible to draw any conclusions about the safety of Echinacea sp. during pregnancy based on the results of investigations on humans and animals. There was no increased risk of significant abnormalities, according to the prospective, controlled trial in people. On the basis of the identified studies, the effectiveness of Echinacea sp. appears questionable. More than 2000 people received the treatment, yet equally many high-quality research reported both positive and bad outcomes. Elderberry has been shown to be effective against influenza in all three clinical trials, however only 77 people received the medication. Health care professionals should not suggest pregnant women take echinacea or elderberry against upper respiratory tract infections due to a lack of evidence of efficacy and safety.
Why should pregnant women avoid taking echinacea?
Echinacea is usually safe to consume when you are expecting, but to be careful, you might want to stay away from it. This is why:
Although many doctors consider echinacea to be low risk, there isn’t enough evidence to indicate that it is completely safe to take while pregnant. Because few studies evaluate these products on expectant mothers for safety concerns, that is true for the majority of vitamins and herbal products.
Among other forms, echinacea is available as tablets, capsules, lotions for external use, and beverages. It is often taken orally in the hope that it may strengthen the immune system and help prevent colds and other upper respiratory infections, although randomised controlled trials have not supported this claim. Some people also use it topically to treat burns and wounds and to treat urinary tract infections.
Although echinacea has been used as a herbal treatment for many years, there are few published studies about its usage during pregnancy, and the effectiveness of those studies is still up for debate. In one study, researchers tracked 261 pregnant women who consumed various echinacea preparations. During the first trimester, it was taken by more than 112 of them. There were no rises in miscarriages or baby birth abnormalities.
Another study examined data on echinacea use during the first trimester and found no evidence that it increases the incidence of birth abnormalities. Echinacea is one of the most frequently utilised medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding. (That study also advised against taking echinacea while nursing because there isn’t enough evidence to suggest it is safe.)
Although this knowledge is comforting, there aren’t enough research to conclusively say whether taking echinacea while pregnant increases the chance of birth abnormalities or other issues.
The preparation and components of herbal treatments like echinacea can vary widely because they are not subject to the same FDA regulations as prescription drugs. This makes it challenging for specialists to extrapolate study findings to other echinacea products on the market, which is yet another reason to use herbal medicines with caution.
Additionally, it has been discovered that certain echinacea formulations have lead contamination. The development of a baby’s brain can be harmed by high blood lead levels during pregnancy.
Prior to taking any medication, vitamin, or herbal supplement during pregnancy, it is always advisable to see your doctor. Call your healthcare practitioner or bring the bottle to your subsequent prenatal appointment if you’re uncertain about a product’s safety.
Sources
2011; Nordeng H, et al. Relationship between the usage of herbal medications during pregnancy and the outcome of the pregnancy in 600 Norwegian women who also used other types of drugs concurrently. Clinical Practice of Complementary Therapies, 17(3):147-51. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21742280/ [Retrieved in August 2021]
2010; Cuzzolin, L., et al. Focusing on pregnancy outcomes, 392 pregnant women in Italy used herbal products. Drug Safety and Pharmacoepidemiology, 19(11), 1151–1158. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20872924/ [Retrieved in August 2021]
D. Perri et al., 2006. Echinacea (Echinacea angustafolia, e. purpurea, and e. pallida) is safe and effective to use throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17085774 Canadian Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 13(3):e262-7 [Retrieved in August 2021]
2016; Heitmann K, et al. The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study examined the pregnancy outcomes following prenatal echinacea exposure. 72:623–30 European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26895223/ [Retrieved in August 2021]
Which teas should I stay away from while pregnant?
All types of tea, including oolong, black, green, white, matcha, chai, and others, are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. They have caffeine, a natural stimulant that shouldn’t be used in large amounts while pregnant.
They each contain around the same amount of caffeine per cup (240 mL) as the following (2, 3, 4, 5, 6):
- 6080 mg of matcha
- Tea, oolong: 3858 mg
- tea, black: 4753 mg
- 4753 mg of chai
- tea: white, 2550 mg
- tea, green: 2949 mg
Caffeine crosses the placenta readily, and your unborn child’s developing liver has trouble processing it. As a result, caffeine doses that would ordinarily be regarded as safe for adults are more likely to have adverse effects in newborns.
According to research, mothers who consume excessive amounts of caffeine during pregnancy run the risk of having babies that are preterm, have low birth weights, or have birth abnormalities. The risk of miscarriage or stillbirth may also increase with high caffeine consumption during pregnancy (7, 8, 9).
When pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to no more than 300 mg per day, these dangers seem to be at a minimum (8).
However, the genetics of some women can make them more susceptible to the negative effects of coffee. For instance, studies indicate that a tiny percentage of women may experience a 2.4 times increased risk of miscarriage when ingesting 100–300 mg of caffeine daily (8).
Caffeinated teas are generally safe to consume while pregnant because they have less caffeine than coffee. To avoid drinking too much caffeine each day, their consumption may need to be restricted (10, 11).
Teas with caffeine, such as chai, black, green, matcha, oolong, and white teas, should be used in moderation during pregnancy. Despite being generally safe, pregnant women may benefit from restricting their daily consumption of these caffeinated teas.
Does echinacea impact ovulation?
There is no proof that echinacea can increase your chances of getting pregnant, despite the fact that it may be your go-to herb on days when you feel like you’re getting a cold. Echinacea, St. John’s wort, and ginkgo biloba may all potentially have a detrimental effect on your fertility, according to some research. High quantities of the herbs may harm reproductive cells and hinder sperm from fertilising eggs, according to a study from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California. A little dose of echinacea should be safe to take if you start to feel under the weather, but avoid taking big doses of it if you’re trying to get pregnant and consult your doctor before using it if you’re already pregnant.
What is the benefit of echinacea tea?
One of the most widely used herbs in America right now is echinacea. Native Americans gave the medicinal herb echinacea its name because of the prickly scales that mimic the enraged hedgehog’s spines on its enormous conical seed head (echinos is Greek for hedgehog).
Native Americans may have used echinacea for more than 400 years to treat wounds and illnesses as well as a general “cure-all,” according to archaeologists who have discovered evidence of this. Echinacea has been used historically to treat blood poisoning, diphtheria, syphilis, malaria, and scarlet fever. Although this herb was widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries, its use started to diminish in the US once antibiotics were developed. In Germany, echinacea preparations gained popularity during the course of the 20th century. In actuality, Germany has been the site of the majority of echinacea scientific research.
Today, individuals take echinacea to lessen the severity of the common cold and flu and to lessen symptoms including fever, coughing, and sore throats (pharyngitis). Echinacea is another plant that many herbalists advise taking to help the body fight infections and strengthen the immune system.
General Uses
Echinacea may include active ingredients that improve immunological function, ease pain, lessen inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects, according to a number of laboratory and animal studies. Because of this, qualified herbalists may suggest echinacea as a treatment for slow-healing wounds, ear infections, athlete’s foot, sinusitis, vaginal yeast (Candida) infections, ear infections, otitis media, hay fever, and slow-healing wounds. Echinacea and cichoric acid may help suppress colon cancers, according to preliminary laboratory studies. According to one study, using echinacea extract before contracting the herpes simplex virus (HSVI) may have an antiviral effect on the recurrence of cold sores.
Common Cold
It is debatable if echinacea aids in the prevention or treatment of the common cold. According to certain research, the herb can hasten your recovery. Others claim that echinacea has no effect at all on a cold. According to several clinical studies, persons who take echinacea as soon as they start to feel unwell have milder colds and experience less symptoms than those who do not. In a study of 95 patients who had fever, runny nose, scratchy throat, and other early signs of the flu and cold, it was discovered that those who drank many cups of echinacea tea daily for five days felt well more quickly than those who drank tea without the herb.
Echinacea decreased cold risk by 58 percent and cold duration by 1 to 4 days, according to a study of 14 clinical trials. Some experts, however, contest these results, arguing the research had a number of flaws. Clinical trials have used a variety of echinacea formulations. It’s crucial to get a high-quality echinacea supplement and to start taking it as soon as a cold starts, numerous times each day for the first few days. For advice, consult your health care practitioner.
I breastfeed, can I consume echinacea tea?
It varies. Although herbs and herbal products are sometimes referred to as “natural,” they are not always secure. Before utilising herbs, especially herbal teas and essential oils, it’s crucial to consult your healthcare practitioner because they can be highly potent.
Herbs can enter breast milk, just like prescription drugs do, and may have an impact on both you and your baby’s milk production. (The idea that sage, parsley, or peppermint will make you produce less milk is a hoax.)
Herbs are not subject to FDA regulation, unlike over-the-counter and prescription medications, thus there is no assurance of their safety, potency, or purity. Even professionals are unsure of which herbs are safe for nursing infants because very few have been thoroughly researched to determine their impact on nursing infants.
There isn’t much evidence to support the safety (or efficacy) of these herbs in nursing mothers and infants, despite the fact that they have been used for centuries to increase a nursing mother’s milk production. Examples include fenugreek and fennel.
Another popular plant to take with caution is echinacea, which is believed to prevent or treat colds. Some specialists advise mothers to stay away from it when breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data. Additionally, goldenseal, which can be poisonous in even moderate dosages, is frequently used alongside echinacea.
Before using any herbal therapy, be prudent and speak with your doctor.
The majority of herbs that are used to season food, such cumin, rosemary, and cilantro, are safe to incorporate in your diet on a regular basis in moderation. However, some, such as sage, can be harmful if you ingest them in high or concentrated doses, such as when taking medicine or drinking tea.
You should be aware of some interactions between plants and medications as well as between herbs and other substances. For further information, speak with your physician or pharmacist.
Instead of sites that are marketing herbal products, look for trustworthy, impartial websites while studying herbs online. Good sources include the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, MedlinePlus, and LactMed.
All herbal teas should only be consumed moderately and with caution. Teas include concentrated herbs. Choose teas that have a complete ingredient list. For instance, ginger or German chamomile tea are regarded as safe options; nevertheless, avoid any teas containing goldenseal.
Which types of tea can result in miscarriage?
Although herbal teas have generally been seen as safe during pregnancy, there isn’t much research to support this. High dosages of parsley tea during pregnancy have been reported to trigger uterine contractions and even miscarriage.
Herbal teas should be used with caution by pregnant women, who should also consult a healthcare provider before include them in their diet.
If you use medicine, whether or not you are pregnant, you should discuss any herbal remedies with your doctor to rule out any potential drug interactions.
Which tea is safe for pregnant women to consume?
Black, white, and green teas can be consumed during pregnancy in moderation. Because they contain caffeine, be careful how much you sip to keep within the safe amount during pregnancy. With herbal teas, which are not FDA-regulated, exercise cautious. Although ginger tea and peppermint tea are regarded as harmless, some other herbal drinks have been connected to difficulties during pregnancy. Make sure your preferred teas are healthy for you and your unborn child by speaking with your healthcare physician before you brew.
Which tea is ideal for pregnant women?
Although drinking caffeinated teas during pregnancy is safe, many expectant mothers prefer to sip herbal teas, or tisanes, instead. When expecting, we advise against drinking the following teas:
Ginger has a reputation for helping with nausea, vomiting, and morning sickness, and teas are deemed safe to consume during pregnancy.
In pregnant women, peppermint tea has been shown to help heartburn, nausea, gas, and stomach cramps.
Lemon balm: Pregnant women have long used lemon balm to help with anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. Try our lemon balm-infused Rejuvenating Wellness Blend!
Raspberry Leaf: Studies have shown that raspberry leaf tea can speed up labour and assist the uterus get ready for delivery.
What plants aid in pregnancy?
Around the world, herbal medicine has been utilised to treat illnesses and prevent disease. Between 65 and 85% of people worldwide are reported to use herbal medicine as their main form of healthcare [1]. Between 12 and 82.3 percent of pregnant women report using herbal remedies [2, 3]. Herbal remedies that are often used during pregnancy include fenugreek, ginger, garlic, raspberry, cranberry, valerian, chamomile, and peppermint [2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]. It is debatable whether or not pregnant women should use herbal remedies. Even while herbal medicine is more readily available than other types of medication, the safety of using it while pregnant is a worry. It is harmful for the foetus to use herbal remedies in the first three months and late in the third trimester. To make sure that the herbs are suitable and safe to use during pregnancy, it is preferable to speak with a doctor and a pharmacist before taking any herbal medicine [12]. Pregnant women worry about all medications that might have an impact on their health, the health of the foetus, and the course of the pregnancy. For a safer pregnancy and a healthy foetus, it is crucial to have access to evidence-based information regarding the advantages and adverse effects of using herbal medicines while pregnant. The greatest information that is currently known on the advantages and risks of using herbal medications while pregnant is presented in this chapter. This chapter outlined the prevalence of using herbal remedies when pregnant in various geographic areas. The chapter also listed the most widely used herbs and discussed the personalities of pregnant women who utilised herbs. Based on scientific evidence, the advantages and harmful consequences of commonly used herbal remedies during pregnancy are discussed.