I have herbs, what is safe?

[LoveMyTwoBoys]

We found out yesterday that we are expecting after 19 months of on & off trying, m/c, & heartbreak. I have immediatly stopped drinking black tea along with my nursing tea. I am finding so much mixed information about what to and not to drink during pregnancy that I decided to ask here as well. Below is a list of what I have.

I know these are safe:
Red Raspberry Leaf
Nettle
Alfalfa
Dandelion

Questionable:
Egyptian Chamomile
Lavender
Blessed Thistle (my previous mw told me it was safe though I had read it wasn't & didn't drink it)

I think these are unsafe but want to be sure:
Anise Seed
Fennel
Caraway
Fenugreek

ALSO, I just read that flax seed shouldn't be taken during pregnancy. I've been using it in my granola. Roughly 1 cup to a huge, week's worth batch of granola. Is it really unsafe? I'll toss out the batch in the fridge right now if it is.

Thanks!

[Lady Lilya]

There are warnings against RRLT during the first trimester, because it can contribute to miscarriages.

I've never heard of flax being unsafe.

[LoveMyTwoBoys]

If RRL is unsafe in the first trimester (which I had also seen somewhere but saw so many people using it and my previous MW told me to drink it from the get-go so I thought it was ok), does that mean that Prenatal Forte shouldn't be taken during the first trimester? Since I am just coming off a m/c I do not want to take ANY chances whatsoever. Thanks!

[DanielleT]

There's a whole tribe of RLT drinkers; some who like you are told it's safe and drink it through out their pregnancies and in their prenatal...some who wait until later just to make sure and I have heard alot of people say (i have read all 86 pages or what ever it is) if you have a history of miscarriage not to drink it in the 1st trimester...
I personally drank a combination of RLT, spearmint, nettle, alfafa everyday until i miscarried in the spring and i haven't touched any of it except the odd drink of spearmint...I can't tell you for sure with any of it but i'm going to wait until the third trimester just to make sure

[Lady Lilya]

What I have heard about RRLT is that while it tones the uterus, it can cause some spasms. If you have a barely sticky bean, it could come loose. So, if you tend to miscarry, it is better to stay away from it just in case.

[LoveMyTwoBoys]

So I should even avoid the amount in the prenatals? I should have asked here before I ordered them.

What about the chamomile? Would it be ok to add instead of the RRL so that it isn't totally bland?

[DanielleT]

Originally Posted by LoveMyTwoBoys

So I should even avoid the amount in the prenatals? I should have asked here before I ordered them.

What about the chamomile? Would it be ok to add instead of the RRL so that it isn't totally bland?

I'm pretty sure chamomile is on the list of do nots...
I LOVE tea and i really wish there was a longer list of "100% safe" herbs to drink while pregnant but so many sources say different things...argh

[LoveMyTwoBoys]

This is going to be some really gross tea! Better than being thirsty and afraid to drink anything (our tap water tastes like dirt).

Oh, what about lavender? Any chance that would be safe? It would at least make it smell a bit better.

Thanks, ladies!!

[Lady Lilya]

Well, a lot of herbal teas are not tested for safety. But that doesn't mean they are dangerous. Some of them have been used for centuries. So unless there is a particular warning based on a known issue, I don't avoid them.

What's the issue with chamomile? I would never have thought to avoid it.

[LoveMyTwoBoys]

Originally Posted by Lady Lilya

What's the issue with chamomile? I would never have thought to avoid it.

I was wondering the same thing. Isn't it basically just a calming herb? I know it is a lot of night time teas and calming children's teas.

[DanielleT]

http://www.wisegeek.com/should-i-use...-pregnancy.htm

Ok so i went through numerous websites and i guess it depends on where your thoughts are; medical sites seem to say stay far away from it but i came across others that said it was fine in moderation...but i did read in numerous places that the tea you would find in the grocery stores in the coffee and tea section are better and less likely to cause problems then loose tea...

So i would say if you have any doubt ask your care provider...