Medicinal herbs with side effects during pregnancy- An evidence-based review article

Beside the therapeutic effects, somer medicinal herbs have side effects on pregnancy development and embryonic growth, so that today, the use of medicinal herbs is considered as an important question in communities. The use of medicinal herbs requires awareness and consumption standards in pregnant women. Therefore, this study was performed with aim to examine the side effects of some medicinal herbs on pregnancy.
In this review article, the studies related to the side effects of medicinal herbs on pregnant women were searched from scientific databases such as SID¡Google Scholar¡Scopus Iran Medex¡ISC¡ISI¡MedLib and by the keywords of Medicinal herb, Abortion, Pregnancy and Side effects without time limitation in English and Persian languages.
Among the studied medicinal herbs, Polygonum, Origanum marjorana, multiflorum, Echium, Foeniculum vulgare, Vitex agnus castus, Blue cohosh, Montanoa tomentosa and Tripterygium wilfordii had teratogenic and toxic effects on embryo. Ginseng, Dong quai, Anethum graveolens.L induce menstruation by affecting on menstruation hormones, Castor oil and Evening primrose oil induce uterine contraction and Mentha pulegium increases risk of abortion.
According to the present study, some medicinal herbs have side effects on pregnancy, so it is recommended that these herbs be used by the physician's advice.