🌿 Herbs & Spices - Pregnancy Safety

May trigger uterine contractions and increase risk of preterm labor and miscarriage; influences estrogen and progesterone levels. Not safe during pregnancy.

Can cause uterine contractions and lead to miscarriage; associated with increased risk of birth defects especially in the first trimester.

Safe in culinary amounts, but large medicinal doses may stimulate uterine contractions and lower blood sugar; cassia cinnamon also contains coumarin which can affect the liver in high doses.

Safe in culinary amounts, but clove oil and concentrated supplements should be avoided as eugenol in large doses may thin the blood and stimulate the uterus.

May have emmenagogue effects that can stimulate uterine contractions; fennel tea and fennel seed supplements should be used with caution during pregnancy.

Can stimulate oxytocin secretion and uterine contractions; high doses have been linked to birth defects in animal studies including neural tube defects.

Safe in culinary amounts found in Thai and Vietnamese cooking, but lemongrass tea and essential oil in large doses may stimulate menstrual flow.

Safe in small culinary amounts, but large doses contain myristicin which can cause hallucinations, nausea, and may have uterotonic effects.

Safe in food amounts, but medicinal doses (concentrated oil or supplements) may stimulate uterine contractions due to emmenagogue properties.

Safe as a culinary garnish in small amounts, but large medicinal doses have emmenagogue properties and may stimulate uterine contractions, increasing miscarriage risk.

Safe in culinary amounts, but large medicinal doses may have uterine and menstrual flow stimulant effects; rosemary essential oil should not be ingested.

Safe in small culinary amounts used for flavoring, but large doses (over 5g) may stimulate uterine contractions and have been used historically as an abortifacient.

Safe in culinary amounts, but contains thujone which in large medicinal doses can stimulate uterine contractions; sage tea and sage supplements should be avoided.

Chinese star anise used in cooking is generally safe in small amounts, but Japanese star anise is toxic; avoid star anise tea and ensure correct species identification.

Safe in culinary amounts, but high-dose supplements (curcumin capsules) may stimulate the uterus and thin the blood; concentrated supplements should be avoided.

Safe when used in normal culinary amounts; contains folate and vitamin K that are beneficial during pregnancy.

Safe during pregnancy when used as a normal seasoning; no known adverse effects at culinary doses.

Safe in culinary amounts; commonly used in cooking and baking with no known adverse effects during pregnancy.

Safe during pregnancy when used in normal culinary amounts; both the leaves (cilantro) and seeds (coriander) are considered safe as food seasonings.

Safe when used in normal culinary amounts; a common cooking spice with no known adverse effects during pregnancy at food-level doses.

Safe in culinary amounts; commonly used as a seasoning with no significant concerns during pregnancy.

Safe in culinary amounts commonly used in Thai and Southeast Asian cooking; related to ginger with similar safety profile at food-level doses.

Well-studied and shown to safely reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy; recommended to keep intake under 1g of dried ginger per day.

Safe during pregnancy in culinary amounts; rich in iron, thiamine, and vitamin C. A common ingredient in many cuisines.

Safe when used in normal culinary amounts; one of the most commonly used herbs during pregnancy with no significant concerns at food-level doses.