Herbs prohibited in pregnancy/lactation

[Guest guest]

Hi Steve & All,

Steve wrote:

> Here is my little list from the Bensky text: see attachment Also

> attached is a list from the internet of herbs contraindicated during

> pregnancy. Steve

 

Steve, attachments are stripped off mails; could you mount the

files on the list files area and notify us when they are online?

 

IMO, as Subhuti Dharmananda & others say, the real reason why many

herbalists avoid using Hbs in pregnancy (if at all possible) is the fear

that if ANYTHING goes wrong [even a broken bone], the Hbs will be

blamed and the herbalist may be called to court. Nobody wants that.

 

However, IMO, herbalists experienced in gynaecological practice

propably use herbs in pregnancy more often than those in general

herbal practice, including " prohibited Hbs " when warranted by the

pattern / S & Ss of the patient. For example, see below, paraphrased

from Bob Flaws [blue Poppy]:

http://www.bluepoppy.com/press/featured/herbalist_chap.pdf

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine in Pregnancy & Lactation: Many practitioners

& their patients worry about safety of Chinese Hbs in pregnancy &

lactation. However, a lot of misunderstanding has grown up around

them.

 

Hbs prohibited in pregnancy: At school, we learn that certain CHMs are

prohibited in pregnancy & others are to be used with caution only.

Unfortunately, these prohibitions are not as clear-cut & universal as they

outwardly seem. Many of these prohibitions are for " uninitiated " or

" outsiders " . In Chinese medical gynecology, some of these prohibitions

are allowed & even necessary when warranted.

 

To understand this, we must understand what word " warrant " means. In

law, a warrant is permission to do something, which is otherwise illegal.

For instance, if police have a warrant they can " kidnap " a person, i.e.,

put them in jail against their will. Also, if police have a warrant, they can

" break & enter " to conduct a search. To obtain a warrant, one must

present evidence that otherwise prohibited action is necessary /

warranted.

 

Example 1: Banxia is sometimes considered prohibited in pregnancy dt

its containing toxins. However, it is main ingredient to Harmonise ST &

Stop Emesis. This means that, without nausea & vomiting, one should

avoid Banxia in pregnancy, but, if there is nausea & vomiting in

pregnancy, Banxia becomes a main & necessary Hb. As an extension

of this, as soon as nausea & vomiting are eliminated, Banxia should be

discontinued bc it is now unwarranted.

 

Example 2: Mudanpi is prohibited in pregnancy bc it acts to Quicken

Xue, which (it is assumed) may lead to miscarriage. However, in TCM

gynecology, miscarriage has 3 main causes: Xue Stas, Qi Xu & Heat.

Mudanpi acts to Quicken Xue, Dispel Stas & Clear Heat & Haemostat.

Therefore, its use in pregnancy is warranted to forestall a miscarriage dt

Heat Stas. In that case, to avoid using Mudanpi bc of textbook

prohibition may actually cause miscarriage. In other words, Mudanpi

use not only may be warranted but necessary, & to avoid its use may

lead to exactly thing we were trying to prevent / avoid.

 

Similarly, Qumai & Cheqianzi are prohibited only if there is no water

swelling and/or Strangury; Mangxiao is prohibited only if there is no

constipation dt Yangming Heat Shi. If there is water swelling and/or

strangury / constipation dt Yangming Heat Shi, then these Hbs are

warranted & should be used.

 

Only 2 Chinese Hbs [Xionghuang (Realgar) & Tianhuafen (Rx

Trichosanthis Kirlowii)] are prohibited always & completely in

pregnancy; they are so toxic they may potentially kill fetus.

 

Chinese herbs in breast-feeding: I know of no discussion in CHM

literature of Chinese herbs that are prohibited in breast-feeding. I would

say that decision as to whether a Chinese Hb is OK / not in lactation is

same as above, i.e. " whether / not it is warranted " . In TCM theory, milk

is made from mother's blood. If mother is ill, she is out of balance, & it is

logical that this imbalance may reflect itself in quality & composition of

mother's milk. Therefore, anything, which brings mother back to

balance & harmony, should also result in better quality, more healthful

milk. Thus, I never hesitate to give a lactating woman a particular

Chinese herb if that medicinal is indicated by combination of both her

disease & her personally presenting pattern. After 25 years in practice, I

have never seen any problems with this approach.

 

Best regards,