Use of Medicinal Plants during Pregnancy in Pregnant Women in Sari, Iran

Background and The use of medicinal plants are suggested during pregnancy. In this study we aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pregnant women on using medicinal plants during pregnancy in Sari, Iran.
In a cross-sectional study, 307 postpartum women referring to health centers were recruited in 2014. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic information and some items about the knowledge, attitude and practice on the use of medicinal plants during pregnancy. The data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, Chi-square and t-test.
The most familiar medicinal plants were mint (96.7%), sour orange blossom (89.6%), and cinnamon (85.7%). The most common reasons for using such plants during pregnancy were that they were believed to be safe and having no complications (80.5%). Almost half of women (48%) used at least one of these plants throughout their pregnancy of which mint (31%), sour orange blossom (28.5%) and sisymbrium sophia (22%) were the most common. Use of medicinal plants was advised to majority of the women by their mothers (37.8%). The majority of women (95.7%) had positive attitude towards using medicinal plants in pregnancy.
Use of medicinal plants during pregnancy is increasing and expectant mothers are positive about such uses. On the other hand, there is a lack of information about using medicinal plants in this time, therefore, raising the awareness of women and health care providers on advantages and disadvantages of medicinal plants during pregnancy is recommended.