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Herb use in pregnancy: what nurses should know
1Adjunct Clinical Faculty, University of Missouri, St. Louis, USA.
Summary
Nurses require knowledge of medicinal herbal preparations due to increased use by childbearing women. This overview details general herbal use, pregnancy safety, and common herbs suitable for pregnant patients.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Medicinal herbal preparation use has significantly increased in the past decade.
- Herbs are regulated as dietary supplements in the U.S., lacking mandatory pre-market efficacy and safety testing.
- Limited research exists on herb effects, especially concerning pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide nurses with an overview of general herbal use.
- To educate perinatal nurses on the safety of herbs during pregnancy.
- To identify common herbs that can be safely used by pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on herbal supplement regulation and safety.
- Synthesis of existing research on herb-drug interactions and pregnancy outcomes.
- Compilation of evidence-based recommendations for safe herbal use in pregnancy.
Main Results:
- Herbs are classified as dietary supplements, exempting manufacturers from proving safety and efficacy.
- Few studies address herb safety in the general population, with even fewer focusing on pregnancy.
- Specific common herbs have been identified as generally safe for use during pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- Perinatal nurses must be informed about herbal use to ensure the safety of both mother and fetus.
- Understanding the regulatory status of herbs is crucial for healthcare providers.
- This article equips nurses with knowledge to guide pregnant patients considering herbal remedies.