Cautions when using Herbs and Essential oilsThere are many factors that one should know about the cautions when using herbs and essential oils for medicinal treatments, beauty, or any other reason. First off, if you do not know anything about it, stop. It can do you more harm than good!If you are truely interested, invest in the many great herbal books available and talk with someone with experience. I recommend using a reputable supplier and double checking (referencing) advice, doses, uses, etc. This page is about the cautions when using herbs and essential oils. If you are pregnant, you should do your research before using anything because your skin can absorb so many things in your day to day life that can be hazardous to your baby. This includes E.O.'s, herbs, cleaning products, cosmetics to name a few. Most likely, if your not really big into herbology then you won't be concerned with many of these but it warrants being mentioned.
Using Herbs During Pregnancy: CautionsHere is a list of Herbs that SHOULD NOT be used during pregnancy.Aloe (aloe vera) Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) Celery (Apium graveolens) Chaste tree (Vitex agnuscastus) Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) Clary sage essential oil should not be used in the first months of pregnancy. Comfrey (Symphtum officinale) Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus) Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) Elder (Sambucus nigra) Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Ginkgo (Gingko Biloba) Ginseng-American (Panax quinquefolius) Ginseng-Chinese or Korean (P. ginseng) Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) Green tea (Camellia sinensis) should not be used in large quantities while pregnant or nursing Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) Juniper (Juniperus communis) Juniper essential oil do not use during pregnancy or if you have kidney problems. Kava kava (Piper methysticum) Lady's mantle (Achillea millefolium) Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) should not be used on children with fever. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) Peppermint (Mentha piperita)should not be used by nursing mothers. Primrose (Oenotthera biennis) Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Sage (Salvia officinalis) should not be taken by nursing mothers or pregnant women, interferes with the absobtion of iron and decreases milk supply. Clary sage essential oil should not be used in the first months of pregnancy. St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Skullcap (Scutellaria laterfolia) should not be given to children under 6. Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) Vervain (Verbena officinalis) White willow (Salix alba) Wild cherry (Prunus serotina) Wild cherry bark should not be used during pregnancy. Also the leaves, bark and fruit pits contain hydrocyanic acid, which can be poisonous. It is best to buy a commercially prepared syrup or tincture. Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) Wood betony (Stachys officinalis) Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) Can cause spontanious abortion and can be habit forming with long term use.
Essential Oils How to use Herbs and Essential oils |