Is It Safe for My Baby? - Herbal Remedies

Risks During Pregnancy

• Herbal remedies, although natural, are drugs — while a few may be safe, others can be dangerous. We do not know about the safety of most herbal remedies.
• As these products are not yet regulated by Health Canada, the list of ingredients may be wrong and the dose of each ingredient may not be included.
• Some herbs, such as ginkgo, can cause bleeding because they thin the blood.
• Other herbs, such as dong quai and feverfew, can induce premature labour.

Recommendations During Pregnancy

• Check all product labels carefully, but remember that some ingredients may not be properly listed.
• Ask your health care provider before using any herbal products.

Risks During Breastfeeding

• Herbal remedies, although natural, are drugs — while a few may be safe, others can be dangerous. We do not know about the safety of most herbal remedies.
• As these products are not yet regulated by Health Canada, the list of ingredients may be wrong and the dose of each ingredient may not be included.
• As with other medications, most herbs can be passed to the infant through breast milk, with unknown effects.

Recommendations During Breastfeeding

• Check all product labels carefully, but remember that some ingredients may not be properly listed.
• If using herbal remedies to increase milk supply, contact a certified lactation consultant.
• Ask your health care provider before using any herbal products.

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