American Fitness Professionals & Associates

By Diane Wakat, PhD  

There’s a balance in what we want a government to do for us. On the one hand, we want it to protect our food, drug and water supply. On the other hand, we want freedom of choice in selecting home remedies and over-the-counter drugs. In that balance between protection and freedom, there is a ‘buyer beware’ area where some potentially harmful agents may be found in the herbal preparations and nutritionals which we can purchase. So let’s review the list of herbs that women shouldn’t use.

Some of these herbs should never be used, and some of them should not be used by women during their reproductive years or when they are pregnant. Pay careful attention to this list: many of these herbs are contained in herbal preparations you can buy legally at the health food store. Remember, just because they ¹re legal doesn ¹t mean they’re safe - especially for women.

Here are examples of herbs that may be found in available products, yet should not be used by women. The reasons why are also given so you can be more knowledgeable about them.

Alfalfa - can aggravate SLE (systemic lupus erythematosis) and other auto-immune diseases, which women are more likely to develop (3:1 vs. men)

Angelica (dong quai) - absolutely not to be used during pregnancy or if you experience a heavy menstrual cycle! (Who’s left?!) Extreme caution required at all times because excess dosage can negatively affect blood pressure, heart rhythm and respiration

Ephedra (ma huang) - just can’t recommend this drug (ephedrine) because of its effects on the heart and blood pressure; women in particular are at risk of stroke when using the amounts found in some popular weight loss potions

Pau D’Arco - this herb has been used in many herbal preparations, but its active ingredient has been shown to be toxic in human studies

Borage Seed Oil - contains levels of unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids, a substance whose long-term intake may cause toxicity

The following list contains herbs and botanicals that may be beneficial, but should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.

Cascara - a useful mild laxative but since it enters the mother’s milk supply, it shouldn’t be used by pregnant or nursing women

Aloe - the gel can be used on the skin, but the liquid is a very potent laxative that should not be used internally by pregnant women, children or the elderly

St. John’s Wort - provides a mild anti-depressant effect; but because it is an MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor, users should avoid tyramine-containing foods such as red wine, cheese, yeast, and pickled herring. Not to be used during pregnancy, or concurrently with other anti-depressant medications

This is certainly not a complete list, yet does emphasize the herbs that women could get into difficulty with because they didn’t look at the label of an over-the-counter product. Make it a practice to read the ingredient list of every herbal or natural product. Remember, just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s safe.