Pregnancy and St. John's wort

People have long noticed the healing properties of herbs and used them to treat and prevent many diseases. And now people continue to trust folk methods that have the least negative impact on the body, but only if used correctly.

Many women use such a well-known herb as St. John's wort for many disorders in the body. However, not everyone knows whether St. John's wort can be used during pregnancy.

St. John's wort is one of the most famous herbs in folk medicine, it is considered a cure for 99 diseases. In traditional medicine, St. John's wort has found its application as an antidepressant, with minimal side effects. St. John's wort contains substances such as tannin, hyperforin, flavonoids, hypericin, etc. Currently, the effect of St. John's wort on pregnant women and their children has been poorly studied, primarily due to the unsafe nature of such studies. But it has been scientifically proven that the substances contained in the herb can cause increased contraction of the uterus, which can lead to pathological processes in the development of the child or miscarriage. The substances contained in St. John's wort can have a negative effect on the central nervous system of the future baby, liver, and brain. It is for this reason that pregnancy and St. John's wort are incompatible. However, there is currently no reliable data on the safety of St. John's wort during pregnancy. Some laboratory studies have shown that high levels of St. John's wort in the body of mammals lead to significant genetic damage to the fetus. Other studies have found significant reductions in sperm motility, reduced ability to penetrate the egg, and, at very high concentrations of St. John's wort, disruption of DNA structure.

Mice given St. John's wort gave birth to babies that were much smaller than normal, but showed no significant developmental abnormalities. Another study gave St. John's wort to female rats, which resulted in them taking longer to complete a maze, but these studies raise some concerns.

The study also involved two women who took St. John's wort during pregnancy, and no serious abnormalities were found in either the mother or the child. However, scientists still recommend not to use St. John's wort during pregnancy or to take it with extreme caution, since its effect on the body during this period has been poorly studied.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ]

St. John's Wort During Pregnancy

St. John's wort during pregnancy can be used in a medicinal collection, observing strict dosage and only as prescribed by the attending physician. St. John's wort is known for its abortive properties, so it should be used with extreme caution. St. John's wort is part of the medicinal collection Brusniver, which is often prescribed by doctors for cystitis in pregnant women. It is forbidden to use various herbs for self-medication, especially for a pregnant woman. She needs to take care, first of all, of her child, so before starting to take any medications, even traditional medicine, you need to consult a specialist about possible side effects. If the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk of developing pathologies for the child, the doctor will recommend taking the drug.

External use of this herb has virtually no contraindications and can be used during pregnancy.

St. John's wort is good for dealing with insect bites. Wasps, bees, horseflies, mosquitoes - no one is immune from their bites. A decoction of equal parts of St. John's wort, mint and oak bark (pour boiling water over it and boil for 5 minutes) will help very well to deal with itching and pain. The cooled decoction is applied as a poultice to the bite site.

St. John's wort is good for skin diseases (dermatitis, boils, purulent lesions, etc.), burns, cuts, rheumatism, gout, etc. St. John's wort helps get rid of bad breath. In this case, gargling with St. John's wort decoction will help well (1 tablespoon per glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes). As you know, a pregnant woman often suffers from various changes in the body, which can result in acne and oily skin. In this case, St. John's wort decoction will also help, which should be used to wipe the face. You can also rinse your hair with St. John's wort decoction - it will become stronger, healthier and shinier.

Is St. John's wort safe to use during pregnancy?

St. John's wort has many useful properties: astringent, choleretic, anti-inflammatory, tonic. But its use during pregnancy is not recommended, and in general all herbs should be taken with extreme caution. During pregnancy, the female body changes greatly, St. John's wort can have a negative effect against the background of these changes and cause many functional disorders. It is better for a pregnant woman to stop taking St. John's wort, but if such a need arises, it is better not to take it in combination with other drugs, since St. John's wort is known for its properties to change their effect.

St. John's wort during pregnancy

Despite the fact that the effect of St. John's wort on the body during pregnancy is poorly understood, its use during this period is best kept to a minimum. St. John's wort contains many useful substances, due to which the plant acquires its therapeutic effect: rutin, quercetin, nicotinic and ascorbic acid, choline, cyril alcohol, phytoncides, tannins, bitter, resinous substances, essential oils. Such a rich composition allows the plant to be used for various diseases. St. John's wort has choleretic, diuretic, antiseptic, astringent, wound-healing, regenerating, analgesic, antiseptic and even antihelminthic properties. Since ancient times, people have used it to treat heart disease, colds, rheumatism, headaches, liver disease, stomach, bladder, enuresis, gynecological inflammations. More recently, scientists have discovered that St. John's wort has a positive effect on the nervous system and has good antidepressant properties. As an antidepressant, St. John's wort has no side effects or contraindications.

But, despite all the usefulness of this plant, it can be fatal for a pregnant woman. The fact of the abortive properties of St. John's wort has been scientifically confirmed, as it provokes intense contraction of the uterus, which threatens a miscarriage. Scientists also admit the possibility of various developmental disorders in the baby if the mother takes St. John's wort. Despite the fact that all these assumptions have no scientific basis, you should not risk your own health, and especially the health of your child.

St. John's wort decoction during pregnancy

A decoction of St. John's wort is prepared as follows: 1 tablespoon of dry grass is poured with a glass of boiling water, the mixture is infused for 15-20 minutes, then strained. The resulting amount must be taken orally in several doses (3-4 times). If you make the decoction yourself, strictly monitor the dosage, since an excessively strong decoction can provoke intestinal spasms.

During pregnancy, St. John's wort decoction should be taken with extreme caution, it is even recommended to reduce the daily dose. St. John's wort is known for its calming properties, especially it helps with insomnia, so if a pregnant woman suffers from insomnia, you can consult a doctor about taking St. John's wort herb. It is best to take the decoction under the supervision of a doctor.

The decoction can be used externally without restrictions. It helps to heal wounds, abrasions, cuts, burns, etc. Also, St. John's wort decoction is suitable as a mouthwash for inflammation, bad breath, dental problems, etc.

[ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ]

St. John's Wort Tea During Pregnancy

St. John's wort tea is a good tonic, and it also has a lot of advantages. It has no side effects, its action is mainly aimed at relaxing the nervous system. It is recommended to drink St. John's wort tea during colds, as it increases the body's defenses.

To prevent vitamin deficiency and colds (which is especially important during pregnancy), you can make tea from St. John's wort and rose hips. The tea has a pleasant taste and is especially useful for heart problems. St. John's wort has a good relaxing effect, and rose hips add flavor to the drink. In addition, rose hips contain vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system. When preparing the drink, you need to use less St. John's wort, as it gives a bitter taste and it is important not to overuse this herb during pregnancy. Remember that it is best to drink freshly brewed tea. You can also make St. John's wort tea with the addition of linden blossom, which is a good sleeping pill. To improve the taste, you can add lemon or honey.

St. John's Wort for Termination of Pregnancy

St. John's wort is contraindicated during pregnancy precisely because of its abortive properties. The herb contains substances that cause increased contraction of the uterus, which can result in a miscarriage.

Termination of pregnancy with the help of various herbs, in particular St. John's wort, is not as reliable as medication. If an attempt to terminate a pregnancy with the help of folk medicine fails, pathologies in the development of the baby may begin. In addition, using abortive herbs is extremely dangerous, as they have varying degrees of toxicity. Sometimes, when trying to kill a child, a woman causes significant harm to her own health. St. John's wort leads to a natural abortion, increasing the tone of the uterus, as a result of which the fetus is pushed out.

Pregnancy and St. John's wort should be combined with extreme caution. The expectant mother should be careful not only about her health, but also about the health of her baby. That is why you should not abuse the intake of even such seemingly safe and useful herbs as St. John's wort, since in reality they can conceal a real threat to the health of the pregnant woman and her future child.

Contraindications to taking St. John's wort during pregnancy

During pregnancy, St. John's wort should be taken with extreme caution, only with the permission of the attending physician. In addition, it should not be taken during pregnancy planning, since the toxic properties of the herb can negatively affect the fetus. Some women believe that St. John's wort helps get rid of swelling, but this is a misconception. St. John's wort not only does not relieve swelling, but also contributes to increased swelling, so its use during pregnancy does not make any sense. You need to be extremely careful when taking such a herb as St. John's wort. It contains many substances that, despite their benefits, when accumulated in the body in large quantities, can cause poisoning, allergies and other unpleasant side effects.

[ 9 ], [ 10 ]