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Herbs to Avoid While Trying to Conceive

Nature's Remedies Could Be Harmful to Your Reproductive Health

By Jacqueline Bodnar

What many people aren't aware of is that herbal supplements generally have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, the actual safety and risks associated with using them are unknown for the most part. Furthermore, there are also no regulated manufacturing standards, which means there are no rules that these companies need to follow before selling this product to you.

Because there isn't extensive research on these supplements, it's also not known if they could harm your baby, should you become pregnant while using them. Additional reasons to avoid herbs during conception are that they can have estrogenic substances that can impact hormone concentration; they may hurt sperm production; and they may effect fertilizing capability.

Although experts recommend that you avoid using all herbs while trying to conceive, you may not be aware that some things you use have herbs in them. Today you can get herbal supplements in many forms and products. You could be drinking something that has an herb in it and not even know it. Here are some common herbs you should avoid while trying to conceive. These products can be found in various forms, including pills, liquid extracts and even some teas.

• St. John's Wort: This supplement also goes by the names hypericum perforatum, goatweed, klamath weed, amber touch-and-heal, milleperituis and rosin rose. It has been widely used for treating depression. Among other things, this supplement is used for anxiety, insomnia and stomach upset.
• Echinacea
  
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  Want to see more?

  • Six Months to Conception: A Practical 5-Step Conception Plan for Getting Pregnant
  • Herbs for Infertility: Do You Know Your Options?
  • Organic Conception: Using Nature to Boost Your Fertility
  • Join the discussion on our Family.com community!

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