Doctors advise against taking ginseng during pregnancy due to potential fetal abnormalities. Herbal supplements are not always tested for safety and efficacy, and pregnant women are typically not involved in safety trials. It is best to avoid supplements until proven safe during pregnancy. Speak to a healthcare professional for safe treatment options.
Most doctors advise patients not to take ginseng during pregnancy, as some studies suggest it may cause fetal abnormalities. More studies will be needed to determine if this is a risk to mothers and their babies and to understand what types of defects can result from taking this supplement. It is especially important for women to avoid ginseng during the first few months of pregnancy, as this is where the most crucial parts of fetal development take place.
Ginseng is an herbal supplement often touted as good for memory, energy and mental focus. While there may be studies to back up these claims, very few herbal remedies have been tested for safety and efficacy. This goes doubly for pregnant women. It may take some time for the effects of taking ginseng while pregnant to be fully discovered, because pregnant women are typically not involved with safety trials due to the potential risks to their babies. In general, doctors advise against a woman taking anything that she has not been determined to be safe during pregnancy, unless such a substance is needed for health reasons.
When determining which medications or supplements are warranted for a pregnant woman, the risks and benefits of both scenarios are usually weighed. For example, if a pregnant woman is diagnosed with an infection, there is a greater risk of the infection continuing than with the use of antibiotic medications. When it comes to herbal supplements, the use of herbs like ginseng during pregnancy is usually not considered vital to the mother’s health. This makes avoiding it during this time much more feasible for most women.
It is important for women to remember that all supplements and natural remedies are not necessarily safer than real drugs. Also, most supplements aren’t governed by the same strict guidelines and requirements as medicines for safety and efficacy. While many herbs have been studied regardless of these government requirements, until a particular drug has been proven to be totally safe during pregnancy, it is usually best to avoid them.
Those considering taking ginseng while pregnant should speak to a doctor, pharmacist, or natural health practitioner. While there’s no definitive proof as of this writing that taking ginseng while pregnant is dangerous, it’s also not necessary. Anyone with particular symptoms for which ginseng might be helpful should speak to a healthcare professional to ask about safe treatment options.
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