Herbal therapy during pregnancy – myths and facts

Česká verzia

Authors: K. Vlachynská ¹; Z. Straňák ^1,2
Authors place of work: Ústav pro péči o matku a dítě, Praha, ředitel doc. MUDr. J. Feyereisl, CSc. ¹; 3. LF UK, Praha, děkan prof. MUDr. M. Anděl, CSc. ²
Published in the journal: Ceska Gynekol 2014; 79(5): 408-412

Summary

Herbal therapy during pregnancy is a very popular method of alternative medicine. Frequency of the herbal therapy in the Czech Republic is not known, but international epidemiologic studies estimate that herbal therapy is used by high proportion of pregnant women (on average 28.9% of pregnant women in Europe, with the lowest frequency in Scandinavian countries (10%) and the highest in Eastern Europe (52%)). The positive effect of herbal therapy on pregnancy and childbirth is very popular and often discussed topic on the pregnancy websites. Optimistic reports, which are based on methodologically controversial studies or which are only empirically documented, promote the positive effect of herbal therapy on pregnancy, fetus development and childbirth. Aim of this article is to show potential harm of herbal therapy and describe proven adverse effects of some of the most common herbal products.

Keywords:
herbal therapy, gravidity, childbirth, neonatal mortality, neonatal morbidity

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