The Effect of Herbal Medicines During Pregnancy and Childbirth

Background: According to the statement of World Health Organization, about 70–80% of people use of herbal medicine in their primary care. There is a belief that medicinal herbs are safe and without side effects, while medicinal herbs unlike chemical drugs don’t have specific doses and can have more threatening consequences for the mother and the fetus, so this study was performed with aim to effect of herbal medicines during pregnancy and childbirth.Methods: This article is a review article with search on sites such as PubMed, SID, EMBASE, Scopus, Google scholar and Magiran. Articles coordinated with the specified criteria collected from 2013 to 2018 and reported in a paper.Results: The studies showed that the use of Cassia fistula, Rosa damascene and Descurainia sophia in the treatment and prevention of constipation and Tectona grandis are effective in reducing the incidence of pregnancy Striae. The most applicable medicinal plants in the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy are related to Pomegranate, Quince, Citron, Apple, Spearmint, unripe grape and Ginger. Among medicinal herbs, Polygonum, Origanum marjorana, multiflorum, Echium, Foeniculum vulgare, Vitex agnus castus and Blue cohosh have teratogenic and toxic effects on embryo. Castor oil and Evening primrose oil induce uterine contraction and Mentha pulegium and Saffron increases risk of abortion. Peganeum harmala smoke and boiled Anethum graveolens seeds can cause induction of labor and cervical ripening. Essence oils such as Sage Clary, Jasminum and Lavender are effective in reducing labor pain. Internal or external use of Basil, Thymus, Lilium, Mentha pulegium, Rosemary, and Juniperus communis L may cause abortion.Conclusions: Due to the side effects of some medicinal herbs requires awareness and consumption standards in pregnant women and it is recommended that these herbs be used by the physician s advice.

Keywords:

pregnancy , herbal medicines , delivery , traditional medicine