It's not possible to group herbs into safe and unsafe categories when you're pregnant. Herbs considered safe at one stage of pregnancy may have side effects if taken at another time. Since herbs don't fall under the same manufacturing standards as drugs do, the amount of herb in a preparation may vary considerably from manufacturer to manufacturer and even between batches. Many herbs have never undergone safety tests in pregnancy. Play it safe and always ask your medical practitioner before taking any herbs while you're pregnant.
Cooking Herbs
Cooking herbs used in normal quantities to season food generally have no harmful effects in pregnancy, according to Pregnancy.org. Cooking herbs that may introduce harmful effects -- including uterine stimulation that can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy -- if taken in large quantities include basil, chili, cinnamon, fennel, marjoram, nutmeg, oregano, parsley and sage.
Herbal Teas
You may assume that herbal teas sold in health food stores or in the grocery couldn't hurt you during pregnancy, but this is not necessarily true. Many herbal teas, which contain more concentrated amounts of herbs than found in cooking spices, can have harmful pregnancy effects, Baby Center warns. Some practitioners consider red raspberry leaf, found in many pregnancy teas, as safe, while others questions its uterine stimulation effects early in pregnancy. Small amounts of tea made from ginger, peppermint and rose hips are considered safe.
Herbs in the First Trimester
In general, unless your doctor recommends an herb during the first three months of pregnancy, don't take anything. This holds true for over-the-counter drugs as well. In the first three months, all the major organs and structures form. Taking harmful substances during the first three months can cause birth defects or miscarriage. Herbs that could cause birth defects include autumn crocus, Korean or Panax ginseng, pokeroot and Pseudoginseng.
Uterine Stimulants
Although uterine stimulants may seem safe at the end of pregnancy, when you'd really like labor to finally begin, taking uterine stimulants without medical supervision could cause contractions strong enough to damage the uterus, causing life-threatening complications to you and your baby. Herbs that act as uterine stimulants include anise oil, black or blue cohosh, chamomile oil, goldenseal, lavendar, oregano and pennyroyal.
