--- title: "Herbal Products in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding | Herbadex" description: "The EMA does not recommend most herbs it assessed during pregnancy, and some are contraindicated. What to know about herbal products in pregnancy." language: en url: https://herbadex.com/en/guide/herbal-products-in-pregnancy/ source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com) --- Guides # Herbal Products in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Many people assume natural always means safe in pregnancy. EMA monographs paint a more cautious picture. This guide is for information only; ask your doctor about every product in pregnancy. Updated: October 15, 2026 ## General rule: for most, there are no data For most herbs on Herbadex the EMA says the same: safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established, and use is not recommended in the absence of sufficient data. That does not mean "proven harmful"; it means "not shown to be safe". ## Herbs that must not be used in pregnancy - Ginkgo: contraindicated in pregnancy; it may increase bleeding tendency - Willow bark: contraindicated in the last 3 months, not recommended earlier or while breastfeeding; salicylates cross the placenta and into milk - Fenugreek: effects on reproduction in animal studies; not recommended in pregnancy, breastfeeding or for women of childbearing age not using contraception - St John's wort: reproductive toxicity in animal studies; not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding ## Herbs the EMA views more favourably - Chamomile tea: per its EMA monograph, safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has been established - Psyllium: may be considered for constipation in pregnancy and breastfeeding if a change of diet is not enough - Ginger: no malformations in 300–1000 pregnancy outcomes; still, the EMA prefers avoiding it in pregnancy as a precaution ## Care while breastfeeding - Fennel and aniseed: their anethole passes into breast milk; not recommended while breastfeeding - Chasteberry: may affect milk production; not recommended while breastfeeding - Clean essential oils and skin products off the breast before feeding ## What to do If you are planning a pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use herbal products without asking your doctor. Each herb card shows the pregnancy and breastfeeding status in its safety strip. ## Frequently asked questions Can I drink herbal tea in pregnancy? The EMA does not recommend most herbs it assessed in pregnancy. Safety has been established for chamomile tea; still, ask your doctor. Can I take ginger in pregnancy? No malformations have been seen, but the EMA prefers avoiding it in pregnancy as a precaution. Can I drink fennel tea while breastfeeding? The EMA does not recommend it; the anethole in fennel passes into breast milk. ## Sources 1. [European Union herbal monograph on Matricaria recutita L., flos](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-matricaria-recutita-l-flos-first-version_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2015 2. [European Union herbal monograph on Zingiber officinale Roscoe, rhizoma – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-zingiber-officinale-roscoe-rhizoma-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2025 3. [European Union herbal monograph on Foeniculum vulgare Miller subsp. vulgare var. vulgare, fructus – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-foeniculum-vulgare-miller-subsp-vulgare-var-vulgare-fructus-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2024 4. [Community herbal monograph on Plantago ovata Forssk., seminis tegumentum – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-plantago-ovata-forssk-seminis-tegumentum_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2013 5. [European Union herbal monograph on Vitex agnus-castus L., fructus – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-vitex-agnus-castus-l-fructus-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2018 6. [European Union herbal monograph on Salix \[various species including S. purpurea L., S. daphnoides Vill., S. fragilis L.\], cortex – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-salix-various-species-including-s-purpurea-l-s-daphnoides-vill-s-fragilis-l-cortex_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2017 7. [European Union herbal monograph on Trigonella foenum-graecum L., semen – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/european-union-herbal-monograph-trigonella-foenum-graecum-l-semen-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2021 8. [European Union herbal monograph on Hypericum perforatum L., herba – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-hypericum-perforatum-l-herba-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2022 9. [European Union herbal monograph on Ginkgo biloba L., folium](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-ginkgo-biloba-l-folium_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2015 Next guide in series ### [Same Name, Different Plants →](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/same-name-different-plants/) Thyme, sage, St John's wort, ginseng, cinnamon: several plants share one common name. Why the Latin name matters for buying the right herb. ## Related herbs ### [Fenugreek](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/fenugreek/) T Traditional use Trigonella foenum-graecum Fenugreek seed is traditionally used before meals for temporary loss of appetite and as a poultice for minor skin inflammation. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) ### [Ginkgo Leaf](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/ginkgo/) A Strong clinical evidence Ginkgo biloba Standardised ginkgo extract may help age-related cognitive decline and mild dementia; bleeding risk and interactions call for caution. [Energy & Focus](https://herbadex.com/en/for/energy-focus/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Chasteberry Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/chasteberry-seed/) A Strong clinical evidence Vitex agnus-castus Chasteberry dry extract may help with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS); regular use for 3 months is recommended for effect. [Women’s Health](https://herbadex.com/en/for/womens-health/) [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) ### [Psyllium Husk](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/psyllium-husk/) A Strong clinical evidence Plantago ovata Taken with plenty of water, psyllium husk helps soften stools in constipation; keep a gap between it and other medicines. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Chamomile](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/chamomile/) T Traditional use Matricaria recutita A gentle herbal tea traditionally used for bloating and mild stomach cramps, common cold symptoms and mouth or throat irritation. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Immunity](https://herbadex.com/en/for/immunity/) +2 [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Fennel](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/fennel/) T Traditional use Foeniculum vulgare Fennel seed tea is traditionally used for bloating and wind, for mild period cramps and for cough that comes with a cold. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Women’s Health](https://herbadex.com/en/for/womens-health/) +1 [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) ### [St. John's Wort](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/st-johns-wort/) A Strong clinical evidence Hypericum perforatum St John's wort extract may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes, but it seriously interacts with many medicines, including the pill. [Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Willow Bark](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/willow-bark/) A Strong clinical evidence Salix spp. Willow bark extract may help with short-term low back pain. It contains salicylates, so it is unsuitable under 18 and with blood thinners. [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) [Immunity](https://herbadex.com/en/for/immunity/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Ginger](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/ginger/) A Strong clinical evidence Zingiber officinale Powdered ginger root taken before travel may help prevent motion-sickness nausea; it is also traditionally used for mild indigestion. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) +1 [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.