Natural Remedies Can Be Risky
Mother Nature often knows best, but she can also be deadly. Herbs, natural remedies, and dietary supplements have become increasingly popular as treatments for a wide range of conditions. Many consider these natural, non-traditional therapies harmless, but natural doesn’t mean safe, especially for pregnant women.
While expectant moms know that smoking or drinking alcohol during pregnancy can be risky, few realize that herbal medicines, natural remedies, and alternative therapies can actually harm pregnant women or their unborn babies.
Unlike traditional medicines, herbs and other natural supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so there are no set standards for product purity, manufacturing, or consumer safety. Furthermore, most herbal remedies have not been scientifically studied, so little is known about their benefits and risks.
Most cultures have a long history of using natural remedies for common pregnancy ailments. While some are harmless, others are not. For example, many Hispanic women use aloe for constipation, but aloe can cause uterine contractions which can lead to premature birth or miscarriage. The herb, mugwort, is commonly used to treat conditions ranging from colic to cancer, but there is no evidence to show that it is effective or safe.
Also troubling is the recent finding that a traditional African remedy for morning sickness contains dangerous levels of lead and arsenic. The Texas Department of Health issued a warning about this traditional Nigerian and West African remedy called “Nzu,” but more commonly known as Calabash clay or chalk, Calabar stone, Mabile, Argile, or La Craie. Nzu looks like a small ball of mud or clay that is rolled in brown or white chalk and usually sold in small plastic bags that are labeled by hand.
Lead and arsenic pose significant health risks for pregnant women and their unborn babies. When a developing fetus is exposed to high or even low doses over a long period of time, permanent damage can occur to the fetal brain and nervous system.
The bottom line
Pregnant women should be advised to talk with their doctor before using any medicines or treatments including natural or herbal remedies and prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
Most Doctors do not understand herbal medicine. A certified Herbalist would be a better source for information. Herbs have been used safely and effectively around the world for years. Have you ever heard of the German Commission E. monographs?
For those not familiar with the German Commission E monographs, it is a book of herbal medicines that is available through a variety of sources including Amazon.com [http://www.amazon.com/Complete-German-Commission-Monographs-Therapeut ic/dp/096555550X]. Germany along with other European countries has done a better job of monitoring the manufacturing and distribution of herbs compared to the United States. I agree with Mary, that most health care providers in the U.S. have limited knowledge pf herbs although the safety and effectiveness of some herbs is well-established.