However, it is not known if it can harm a baby in larger amounts. And, so if you are allergic to … I looked into this for a bit in early pregnancy, I had a similar situation. There are so many to choose from, but here are a few that may help pregnant women. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This is a prime example of how the method of use of the herb changes its safety rating. In fact, the American Pregnancy Association states that any level of caffeine during pregnancy has been found to have "negative effects" on an unborn baby. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with peppermint does not improve, or if it gets worse while using this product. 44:231-252. However, it is not known if it can … 11 12 This means you need to limit yourself to a maximum of 2 to 3 cups a day. Women are also urged to consult a trained and experienced herbalist (or other professionals trained to work with herbs) if they want to take herbs during their pregnancy. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label. It should only be used during pregnancy if your doctor thinks the potential benefits outweigh any potential risks to the developing baby. 40(2):234-242, 2000. a condition in which the stomach does not produce acid. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. ... Gel-coated peppermint oil capsules can help, but have a big limitation: they need to be digested before they work, a process that can take hours. Peppermint is often sold as an herbal supplement. Whether or not youre pregnant, peppermint tea can worsen gastro-esophageal reflux syndrome (GERD) and may promote flow of bile from the gall bladder and aggravate gallstone symptoms. 6 Belew, C. (1999). Medicinal forms. It is not certain whether peppermint is effective in treating any medical condition. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, however, should avoid such products because it is not known that much about their safety during pregnancy and lactation. Properties of Peppermint Oil That Are Wonderful for Pregnancy. Well you can use this up until you are pregnant - and then you should consider cutting back to just the teas, but the capsules are not recommended in Pregnancy, as this can cause a … You can consume peppermint tea during pregnancy, but consult your doctor before you do so, as it may not agree with your body. Breast-feeding. Manufacturer advises capsules should not be broken or chewed because peppermint oil may irritate mouth or oesophagus. The same goes for herbs such as garlic, sage, ginger, and turmeric. For example, the rating for rosemary is considered Likely Safe when used orally in amounts typically found in foods. Well, yes and no. Peppermint is considered likely safe to use during pregnancy in amounts normally found in food. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. 13 As such, choosing peppermint tea as a caffeine-free beverage to replace the caffeine-filled ones is a healthy option for both mother-to-be and her baby. Excessive use of spearmint and peppermint is not safe during pregnancy. Select one or more newsletters to continue. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Ginger tea falls under the herbal tea category. Is ginger safe during pregnancy? As with all other supplements and dietary items, moderation in consumption is of key importance here. Although not all side effects are known, peppermint is thought to be possibly safe for most people when taken in medicinal amounts or when applied to the skin. Although herbs are natural, not all herbs are safe to take during pregnancy. While some oils are safe during pregnancy, many others are not. It is not known whether peppermint oil or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. Again, these are herbs you would want to do more extensive research on and discuss with your health-care provider before using. Some herbal products may contain agents that are contraindicated in pregnancy. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Whether you are treated by a medical doctor or a practitioner trained in the use of natural medicines/supplements, make sure all your healthcare providers know about all of your medical conditions and treatments. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity. One key thing when understanding the safety ratings is to pay attention to what type of use the rating is for. There is consensus among the medical community that peppermint tea is safe during pregnancy. There is a lack of safety information for many types of herbal teas, and you should only drink them if the benefits outweigh any potential side effects. Helps With Pregnancy Symptoms Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination. Plus, with capsules, you know how much peppermint oil you’re getting with each dose. Peppermint oil should be avoided during pregnancy, as it has been known to trigger menstruation. Few studies have been done to measure the effects of various herbs on pregnant women or fetuses. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. This list is not complete. 5 Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor. Although peppermint tea is likely safe in early pregnancy, it is best to ask your doctor first. Do not use different formulations of peppermint (such as tablets, liquids, and others) at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. The American Pregnancy Association states that commercial brands of herbal teas are typically safe, but read the label carefully to make sure the tea does not contain other types of herbs that can be dangerous during pregnancy. I have talked with women who have had success managing headaches in pregnancy with peppermint … Follow all directions on the product label and package. Although medicine has replaced most natural supplements with a synthetic substitute, there are many who still look to natural herbs and vitamins to provide essential nutrition and relief of common discomforts for pregnant women. Peppermint oil: As a toothpaste, not much peppermint oil will actually be absorbed. It is a welcome substitute for caffeinated drinks. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Herbs may contain substances that can cause miscarriage, premature birth, uterine contractions, or injury to the fetus. Drinking peppermint tea during pregnancy may also have additional benefits of relaxation and cooling of the body. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose. J Nurse-Midwifery. Peppermint may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide. 4 Women’s Health Series: Herbs of Special Interest to Women. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Peppermint has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating irritable bowel syndrome, breast feeding discomfort, heartburn, migraines, tension headache and to reduce spasms during endoscopy and colon exams. Reliable information about the product may be hard to find, which makes researching these products’ effectiveness more challenging. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. These cookies do not store any personal information. Ginger is frequently recommended by OB doctors to assist with the nausea of pregnancy, often known as morning sickness. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, mouth sores or headache. 3. This is a controversial one as many experts — including aromatherapy and homeopathic practitioners — avoid the use of peppermint oil on pregnant … This product should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit of treatment to the mother outweighs the possible risks to the developing fetus. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 2 Feb 2021), Cerner Multum™ (updated 3 Feb 2021), ASHP (updated 29 Jan 2021) and others. The following herbs have been rated Likely Safe or Possibly Safe for use during pregnancy: 4 These are typically found in either tablet, tea, or infusion form. Spearmint in large amounts can damage your uterus while peppermint is an emmenagogue, that is, it can induce menstrual periods and thereby threaten your pregnancy. Donate To Make Motherhood a Healthy Reality. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a perennial flowering member of the mint family, which grows widely in Europe and North America. Depending on what type of health care provider you see, he/she may recommend using herbs to help promote the health of your pregnancy. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is LIKELY SAFE to take peppermint in amounts normally found in food during pregnancy and breast-feeding. [3] 2. In addition to those wonderful uses, peppermint essential oil is cooling to the body. J Midwifery Women’s Health. Therefore, it is best to consult with your health care provider or someone trained in using herbs before taking any natural medicine or herb during pregnancy. J Am Pharm Assoc. You may not be able to use peppermint if you have certain medical conditions. Because each pregnancy is different, the best way to use herbs is under the care of a midwife, physician, herbalist, naturopathic or homeopathic doctor. Version: 6.01. turmeric, saw palmetto, Ginkgo Biloba, garlic. The enteric coating resists attack by stomach acid, so the capsules pass into the intestines intact and release their contents there. I don’t think it is safe because I think it can cause internal bleeding. Peppermint is considered likely safe to use while breast-feeding if it is in amounts normally found in food. The herbs that are considered safe to use during pregnancy are often food or tonic herbs. Directions for administration. Do not use this product in large amounts, without medical advice if you are pregnant. The FDA urges pregnant women not to take any herbal products without talking to their health-care provider first. Here we examine herbs in relation to pregnancy. When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor.