Table 3 Herbal supplements women reported using during pregnancy (n = 588)
From: Herbal medicine use during pregnancy in a group of Australian women
Herb taken | No | % | Most common form of supplement* | Most common reason/s for use reported by women** | Gestation commenced (if applicable) | Who recommended supplement use* | % who reported the supplement helped? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raspberry leaf | 83 | 13.9 | Tea (71%) Tablet (22%) Syrup (5%) | Strengthen or tone uterus ready for labour (76%) | 30 weeks or later 63/71 (89%) | Friends (37%) Naturopath (23%) Self (22%) | N/A |
Ginger | 68 | 11.6 | Tea (46%) Tablet (40%) Syrup (11%) | Nausea (85%) | Early in pregnancy 58/59 (98%) | Self (42%) Friends (39%) Naturopath (17%) | 43/56 (76.8%) |
Chamomile | 65 | 11.1 | Tea (100%) | Relax/calming/help sleep (65%) Aid digestion/help nausea (25%) | No pattern | Self (71%) Family (15%) Friends (11%) | 45/54 (83%) |
Cranberry juice | 51 | 8.7 | Syrup/liquid (91%) Juice (6%) Tablet (2%) | Prevent/treat urinary tract infections (56%) Vitamin C intake (19%) Enjoy/like it (16%) | Early in pregnancy/or <= 20 wks (68%) | Self (63%) Friends (14%) Local doctor (14%) | 28/36 (78%) |
Echinacea | 17 | 2.9 | Tablet (63%) Syrup/liquid (25%) Tea (13%) | Cold/flu (81%) Increase immunity (13%) | No pattern | Self (59%) Friends (18%) | 6/13 (46%) |
Evening primrose oil | 11 | 1.9 | Tablet (100%) | No pattern | No pattern | Self (36%) Friends (36%) | 2/7 (29%) |
Digestive bitters | 9 | 1.5 | Syrup/liquid (56%) Tablet (44%) | Digestive disorders (100%) | No pattern | No pattern | 8/9 (89%) |
Slippery elm | 9 | 1.5 | Tablet (56%) Powder (33%) Tea (11%) | Digestive disorders (88%) | No pattern | Naturopath (33%) Self (33%) | 5/8 (63%) |
Garlic | 8 | 1.4 | Tablet (100%) | Variety of reasons | No pattern | Self (50%) Family (50%) Naturopath (38%) | 3/6 (50%) |
Chinese herbs | 8 | 1.4 | Syrup (50%) Tea (33%) | Variety of reasons | No pattern | Chinese doctor (63%) | 6/8 (75%) |