According to some of the researches, the use of Echinacea during pregnancy doesn’t lead to birth defects. The herb is used for stimulating the immune system and it is really popular in the U.S.
In the same time it is also used to prevent and to treat respiratory infections. The bad news is that at this moment there is only little information regarding the effects of the herb on pregnant women.
What do studies say?
One of the studies worked with 200 women who took Echinacea supplies and other 200 women who didn’t. This research shows that there are little or no risks associated with taking Echinacea while being pregnant.
According to the findings of the research, the risks are very low during the first trimester. This is important because this is the time when the fetus develops at the fastest rate.
According to the specialists there are only few women who would take over the counter medication for cold and there are even less who know about the natural remedies.
However natural doesn’t always mean that the product is safe. It is interesting to know that about half the doctors and other health care providers would suggest their patients to take such supplements, even though there is little evidence suggesting that they are safe.
You decide
No matter what the doctors think about taking Echinacea when being pregnant, in the end it is up to the mother. Depending on the level of comfort that she has knowing all this information she can decide to take or not to take the supplement.
On the other hand there are also some doctors that don’t suggest to their patients to take herbal supplements exactly because there is so little evidence about them. Instead they suggest taking some vitamin C or other remedies that are known to be safe during pregnancy.
