The relationship between women’s characteristics and herbal medicines use during pregnancy

Abstract

The use of herbal medicines (HM) has been increasing worldwide. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of and characteristics related to use of HM among 320 pregnant women. Participants were admitted to Mazandaran-based hospitals' postnatal wards from March to June 2015. Data were collected via a self-report questionnaire, including herbs used during pregnancy and demographic, socioeconomic and pregnancy-related factors. Nearly half (48.4%) of the women reported taking one or more HM during pregnancy. The most frequently used herbs were Sour orange (30.97%), Peppermint (19.81%) and Borage (19.46%). Most women (29.20%) were advised by their relatives to take these and did not disclose this use to their health care providers (50%) because they perceived their use as safe (39.7%). The use of herbs was greater among pregnant women with upper secondary level education, living in their own house and from higher socioeconomic classes. Most of the information sources for women were informal, indicating they were not knowledgeable about the herbs' safety and efficacy during pregnancy. Health care providers should be informed about HM and question pregnant women about their use of HM during pregnancy so that they can advise them about potential side effects and drug interactions.

Use of Medicinal Plants during Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum in Southern Morocco

“…This rate is significantly high compared with other similar studies conducted in other countries, such as Kenya, India, Oman, Palestine, Egypt and Taiwan [ 16 , 36 , 38 , 47 , 48 ]. These variations in prevalence could be associated with differences in the study design and/or sample dynamics [ 49 ], and also to the existence and enforcement of laws governing the marketing of medicinal plants, which also varies between countries [ 42 , 50 ]. The difference in socio-demographic and cultural factors also play a role in the number of women who use MPs [ 49 ]; many studies have revealed a strong belief among women in the safety of MPs during pregnancy [ 51 , 52 , 53 ], although little scientific evidence exists on their safety [ 50 , 54 , 55 ].…”

“…Herbal medicine use during the first trimester has been reported previously [ 40 , 43 , 55 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ]. Other studies have reported that the use of medicinal plants is more common in the second trimester [ 63 ], third trimester [ 64 ] or throughout pregnancy [ 49 ].…”

“…For instance, ginger has been used for nausea and vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy [ 37 , 55 ] and peppermint, thyme, chamomile and green tea for bloating, upset stomach and maintaining health during pregnancy [ 42 , 55 , 70 ]. Other studies have reported various other reasons for using MPs during pregnancy, such as improving the beauty and health of the fetus, and even the intelligence of the future child [ 16 , 20 , 49 , 58 , 59 , 62 , 71 , 72 ], enhancing fetal growth [ 17 , 68 , 73 ], as nutritional supplements, to treat skin problems and urinary tract infections [ 74 ] and to increase milk production during lactation [ 63 ]. It has also been show that MPs can ease pregnancy, improve the course of pregnancy [ 63 ], prevent/treat malaria and prevent miscarriages [ 17 , 40 , 73 , 75 ].…”

Herbal Medicines—Are They Effective and Safe during Pregnancy?

“…Several studies regarding the impact of peppermint on pregnancy in women were previously published [ 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 ]. Many studies pointed to the possibility of using aromatherapy, one of the types of complementary medicine, as a care option for pregnant women to minimize nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy.…”

“…Of the 33 herbs, peppermint was mentioned the most (22.8% of women) [ 125 ]. In addition, a cross-sectional study of 320 Iranian women found that 48.4% of them used herbal medicines during pregnancy, of which sour orange (30.97%), peppermint (19.81%), and borage (19.46%) were the most commonly indicated [ 126 ]. Pregnant women with secondary education and from higher socio-economic classes were more likely to use herbs.…”