Agnus castus is an herbal preparation with a history of use as a supplement for women. While you might have heard that it's healthy to take during pregnancy, there is no scientific evidence to support this use. You shouldn't use agnus castus...
Several factors -- such as crash diets, pregnancy or illness -- can cause your skin to sag. Common areas that can be plagued by sagging skin are the midsection, arms and thighs. Loose skin can be tightened by decreasing your body fat percentage....
Resveratrol occurs in a number of healthy foods and herbs, including red grapes, peanuts, blueberries, bilberries, cranberries and Japanese knotweed. Due to its life-prolonging effects in a variety of laboratory animals, the natural compound has...
Yohimbine is a powerful drug derived from the bark of yohimbe, an African evergreen tree. Natural yohimbe bark contains trace amounts of yohimbine, which is responsible for most of the herb's reputed medical benefits. In the United States,...
If you're pregnant, you need to be careful about what you put in your body. The compounds you consume not only affect you, but some of them also can pass through to your fetus via the placenta, which might harm your unborn baby. Caffeine is one of...
Hormones produced in the thyroid have critical developmental effects and influence diverse metabolic pathways important in lipid and glucose metabolism and regulation of body weight. Based on the recent understanding of this relationship, diabetic...
When consumed in large amounts, some plant-based foods and animal products may contribute to the growth of breast cells. In theory, these estrogenic foods stimulate breast growth by triggering a hormone response similar to estrogen, a key compound...
Sucralose is a non-nutritive sugar substitute, meaning it adds sweetness to food without providing calories. Certain foods and food additives that are considered safe when you're not pregnant may have adverse effects on your developing baby, and...
There are a number of foods and beverages you may be used to drinking that aren't a good idea during pregnancy, because they contain chemicals that can harm your developing fetus. While regular black tea is best avoided, you can safely drink...
Aloe juice, usually made from aloe latex, a sticky yellow substance just inside the green skin covering on an aloe leaf, may be used to treat a variety of conditions. There is relatively more scientific proof about aloe's efficacy than many other...
Because some sources warn that you should avoid caffeine during pregnancy due to increased risk of preterm labor, you might wonder whether you could use caffeine to induce labor. There's no evidence to suggest that trying to induce labor with...
There are many foods you might have enjoyed before you conceived that aren't advisable during your pregnancy. Thankfully for fans of hot pepper, the active chemical in spicy food won't do your baby any harm. In fact, babies whose mothers eat hot...
Many expectant mothers question the safety of nonherbal teas and dietary supplements during pregnancy. L-theanine is a chemical compound extracted from tea leaves known for its antioxidant properties and relaxing effects. Pregnant women should...
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a compound manufactured naturally in the energy-producing center of cells called the mitochondria. CoQ10 provides a number of functions for your body, such as boosting the immune system, and also is a beneficial nutrient...
Since pregnancy is a time when it's best to avoid pharmaceuticals -- both over-the-counter and prescription -- you may be tempted to try herbal remedies for your common pregnancy ailments. Unfortunately, just because something grows naturally...
During your pregnancy, your relationship with the chemical compound glucose will change in some ways. Your energy needs will increase, increasing your reliance upon glucose that you'll need to provide to your own cells and those of your baby, and...
Lysine is an amino acid that can be taken in supplement form and is sometimes used to treat osteoporosis and herpes. It is not known if lysine supplements are dangerous during pregnancy, but lysine is a naturally occurring compound found in most...
Garlic, an herb used for flavoring food, can be made into an oil by distilling crushed garlic. Garlic oil can then be used as a supplement or herbal remedy. Although garlic is safe to use as a food flavoring during pregnancy, there is not enough...
Breast milk provides the best nourishment for babies, and the benefits don't stop after infancy. The longer a child breastfeeds, the longer he gets the immune protection and brain-boosting benefits that his mother's milk provides. But mothers who...
Fenugreek, or Trigonella foenum-graecum, is an herb often used by nursing mothers to increase milk supply. It might be used short or long term to increase milk production or to maintain milk supply when the mother is separated from her infant and...
Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient, made naturally in the body after direct skin exposure to sunlight. This critical, fat-soluble compound is essential for bone health, particularly during pregnancy and lactation. However, vitamin D...
When you and your partner are ready to have a child, nutrition for both of you plays an important role. Fertility depends on a variety of factors, including the vitamins and minerals you eat. Your physician may recommend supplements to improve...
Restless legs syndrome, or RLS, is defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke as a condition where patients experience localized unpleasant sensations, pulling, throbbing or an uncontrollable urge to move the legs....
There are numerous birth control pill choices. According to RxList.com, oral contraceptives contain some form of synthetic female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Synthetic progesterone is called progestin. Each manufacturer may have a...
Maternity belts can help you maintain an exercise regimen while pregnant, soothe the irritated skin of your belly and make your back feel better. They're a critical part of a maternity wardrobe, especially as your pregnancy advances. Check with...
Pregnancy is an exciting time. Before you know it, you’ll be holding a new life in your arms. While you’re expecting, though, you may also see a few surprises in the mirror, such as acne flareups or excessively dry skin. Rest assured,...
Back pain during pregnancy is quite common. Causes include hormonal changes, structural changes in a woman's body and stress on the muscles of the back from the weight of a growing baby. While some women turn to mild over-the-counter pain...
Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, notes BabyCenter.com, including cyanide and lead, as well as at least 60 cancer-causing compounds. During pregnancy, all these things enter your bloodstream, which is your baby's only source of...
Wild cherry bark, also called chokecherry, is sometimes recommended as a cough syrup by practitioners of alternative health care. Simply because something is natural, however, doesn't make it safe; wild cherry bark is an example of an herbal...
