Ask the Herbalist: Are Herbal Supplements Safe During Pregnancy?

Ask the Herbalist: Are Herbal Supplements Safe During Pregnancy?

"I've been taking ashwagandha and Reishi daily, but now I'm pregnant. Do I need to stop?"

Pregnancy is one of the most important times to pause and reassess your supplement routine — not because herbs are inherently dangerous, but because the stakes are higher, the research is thinner, and "probably fine" isn't good enough when a developing baby is involved.

The honest truth: most herbal safety research excludes pregnant women for ethical reasons, which means we're often working from traditional use records, animal studies, and clinical caution rather than robust human trials. This guide presents what is known, what is traditionally considered safe, and what should be clearly avoided — while strongly encouraging you to have this conversation with your midwife, OB, or naturopathic doctor.

The General Rule: Caution is the Default

During pregnancy — especially the first trimester when organ development is most critical — the default position for most herbalists and integrative practitioners is:

  • Use only herbs with a long, well-documented history of safe use during pregnancy
  • Avoid concentrated extracts and high doses of herbs that are acceptable in culinary amounts
  • Avoid herbs that stimulate uterine contractions (emmenagogues and oxytocics)
  • Avoid herbs that strongly affect hormone levels
  • Avoid immune-stimulating herbs in immunocompromised or high-risk pregnancies
  • Always disclose everything to your prenatal care provider

Trimester matters: some herbs that are cautioned in the first trimester may be acceptable in the second or third under guidance (e.g., raspberry leaf is traditionally used in the third trimester to tone the uterus for labor).

Adaptogens & Medicinal Mushrooms During Pregnancy

🌿 Ashwagandha — Avoid During Pregnancy

Despite being one of the most popular adaptogens, ashwagandha is traditionally classified as an abortifacient (potentially capable of inducing miscarriage) at high doses in Ayurvedic texts, and modern caution supports avoiding it during pregnancy — particularly in the first trimester. Some practitioners consider it cautiously acceptable in the third trimester under guidance, but this is not a consensus position.

Verdict: Discontinue during pregnancy. Discuss with your provider before resuming postpartum.

🔴 Reishi — Use with Caution / Generally Avoid

Limited human safety data during pregnancy. Reishi's immune-modulating effects are well-established, but how this interacts with the intentionally immunosuppressed state of pregnancy (the body naturally suppresses immunity to protect the fetus) is unclear. Most practitioners recommend avoiding Reishi during pregnancy out of caution.

Verdict: Discontinue during pregnancy unless specifically cleared by your provider.

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🤍 Lion's Mane — Insufficient Safety Data

No human studies on Lion's Mane safety during pregnancy exist. No traditional use record during pregnancy. While it is generally well-tolerated, the absence of safety data during pregnancy means most practitioners recommend avoiding it during this time.

Verdict: Discontinue during pregnancy. Resume postpartum — it may be valuable for postpartum cognitive recovery.

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⚫ Chaga — Avoid During Pregnancy

Chaga's high oxalate content and immune-stimulating properties make it generally inadvisable during pregnancy. Oxalates can affect kidney function, and immune stimulation during pregnancy requires careful consideration.

Verdict: Discontinue during pregnancy.

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🟠 Cordyceps — Insufficient Safety Data / Avoid

No established safety record during pregnancy. Cordyceps' effects on hormone levels (including testosterone) and immune function make it a herb to avoid without specific provider guidance.

Verdict: Discontinue during pregnancy.

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🦃 Turkey Tail — Generally Avoid

Like other immune-stimulating mushrooms, Turkey Tail lacks pregnancy safety data. Its immune-activating properties (PSK/PSP) may not be appropriate during the intentional immune tolerance of pregnancy.

Verdict: Discontinue during pregnancy unless under oncologist guidance for a specific condition.

Herbs Generally Considered Safe During Pregnancy

These herbs have long traditional records of safe use during pregnancy and are widely accepted by midwives and naturopathic practitioners — though always in normal culinary-to-moderate doses, not concentrated extracts:

✅ Ginger — One of the most evidence-backed herbs for pregnancy. Extensively studied for pregnancy nausea and morning sickness; considered safe at culinary to moderate supplement doses. Avoid very high doses (>2g/day).
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✅ Chamomile (in moderation) — Generally safe as a tea for relaxation and mild digestive support. Avoid very large amounts as concentrated extracts have theoretical uterine-stimulating effects.

✅ Red Raspberry Leaf — Traditionally used by midwives in the third trimester to tone the uterine muscles in preparation for labor. Generally avoided in the first trimester; discuss timing with your midwife.

✅ Peppermint — Safe for nausea and digestive support as tea or in culinary amounts.

✅ Lemon Balm — Gentle nervine considered safe for mild anxiety and sleep support during pregnancy.

✅ Oat Straw — Nutritive herb, high in minerals; generally well-regarded as safe.

✅ Nettle Leaf — Highly nutritive (iron, folate, calcium); commonly used during pregnancy as a tea or infusion for nutrient support.

Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy

  • ❌ Ashwagandha — Traditional abortifacient classification; avoid
  • ❌ Valerian — Insufficient safety data; avoid
  • ❌ Kava — Hepatotoxic potential; contraindicated
  • ❌ Black Cohosh — Uterine stimulant; contraindicated except near term under midwife guidance
  • ❌ Blue Cohosh — Uterine stimulant; contraindicated
  • ❌ Pennyroyal — Strong emmenagogue; absolutely contraindicated
  • ❌ Tansy — Toxic; absolutely contraindicated
  • ❌ Mugwort — Emmenagogue; contraindicated
  • ❌ Dong Quai — Uterine stimulant; contraindicated
  • ❌ Licorice Root (high doses) — May raise cortisol and affect fetal development at high doses; culinary amounts generally considered safe
  • ❌ Chaga — High oxalates; avoid
  • ❌ Most concentrated adaptogen extracts — Insufficient safety data; default to avoidance

Safe Supplements During Pregnancy (General)

While adaptogens require caution, several non-herbal supplements have strong safety records during pregnancy and are commonly recommended:

Postpartum: When Can You Resume Adaptogens?

Most practitioners consider adaptogens appropriate to reintroduce postpartum — with the additional consideration of breastfeeding. Safety data during breastfeeding is similarly limited, but several adaptogens are commonly used postpartum under guidance:

  • Ashwagandha — Often reintroduced postpartum for stress, fatigue, and recovery; some caution during breastfeeding due to limited data
  • Lion's Mane — May be valuable for postpartum brain fog and cognitive recovery; limited breastfeeding data
  • Reishi — Generally considered lower risk postpartum; discuss with provider

When in doubt, wait until breastfeeding is complete or consult with a naturopathic doctor who specializes in perinatal care.

The Bottom Line

Pregnancy is not the time to experiment with adaptogens. The most evidence-backed approach is to pause most herbal supplements during the first trimester, use only well-documented safe herbs (ginger, red raspberry leaf, nettle, chamomile) under guidance, focus on well-studied prenatal nutrients (folate, DHA, magnesium, vitamin D), and resume adaptogens thoughtfully postpartum.

Your prenatal care provider — and ideally a naturopathic doctor or herbalist with perinatal training — is your best partner in navigating this.

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider, midwife, or OB before taking any supplement during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

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