Is It Safe to Take Echinacea During Pregnancy?

When it comes to your unborn baby, you may want to be doubly sure of what you consume as it may have a direct impact on your baby. Therefore, if you are thinking of taking Echinacea during pregnancy, then you may want to know whether or not is it safe for consumption during pregnancy. If this is what you wish to know, then the following article may prove to be fruitful as it discusses the topic in detail.

What Is Echinacea?

Echinacea, scientifically known as Echinacea purpura is a herb that is widely popular for centuries for its medicinal properties. This wondrous herb is indigenous to Native America. The roots and other parts of this plant are effectively used to boost the immunity and battle various other infections. It is believed that Echinacea is also beneficial for the health of a pregnant woman.

Benefits of Echinacea When Pregnant

Let us now learn about various benefits that a pregnant woman may derive from this miraculous herb:

1. Speeds Up Recovery

In case you are suffering from any infection or ailment during pregnancy, taking Echinacea may help in speeding up the recovery or reducing the recovery time of that ailment.

2. Helps in Curing Recurrent Infections

Pregnancy may take a toll on your immunity and thus may make you more prone to falling sick. Sometimes you may have recurrent bouts of some infection, and under such situations, Echinacea may prove to be beneficial. This is because this herb acts as an antioxidant and is effective in strengthening the immunity, which in turn makes your body help fight the infection.

3. Helps in Healing Sunburns

If you are suffering from any kind of sunburns during pregnancy, then you may apply this herb topically to cure your condition.

4. Effective in the Treatment of Haemorrhoids

In case, you are suffering from haemorrhoids during pregnancy then you may tropically use this herb to reduce the pain and healing the wounds.

5. Beneficial in the Treatment of Psoriasis and Eczema

In a study on population, it has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema and inflammatory skin conditions. Psoriasis and eczema are very discomforting skin conditions. Both these conditions may improve if you apply Echinacea on the skin breakouts that may occur in these skin conditions.

6. Helps in Preventing Infections

This herb is beneficial in the formation of T-cells. It is also very effective in improving the ability of WBC (white blood cells) in keeping various kinds of pathogenic infections at bay. The presence of echinacein, a medical compound present in this herb is very effective in preventing various bacteria and viruses from penetrating the healthy cells of the body.

7. Effective Topical Disinfectant

Apart from healing various infections and other medical ailments, it is also very fruitful to cure minor cuts, bruises and wounds, and thus can be used as an effective topical disinfectant.

8. Helpful in Treating Many Other Ailments

This wondrous herb is beneficial in treating various ailments such as Bronchitis, hay fever, urinary tract infection, vaginal yeast infection and many others.

Echinacea is a very useful herb and thus may prove to be beneficial in treating many medical ailments. Do consult your obstetrician before taking this herb for curing any ailment.

Side Effects of Echinacea in Pregnant

If you are thinking can you take Echinacea when pregnant? The answer is yes; Echinacea is a very safe herb.  However, sometimes it may lead to certain complications during pregnancy, and some of these side-effects may include the following:

• In case you suffer from asthma or any kind of plant allergy, then it may not be a good idea to consume this herb as it may trigger an allergic reaction.
• It may also lead to allergies in some women; if that may be the case, you should stop the consumption at once and seek medical assistance.
• It may trigger autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, collagen etc.

How to Make Echinacea Tea During Pregnancy

One way of taking this herb is by taking it in the form of tea. However, it may make you wonder if Echinacea tea is safe during pregnancy? Well, it is safe for consumption during pregnancy, but you must seek your doctor’s permission before adding taking this tea. Here is how you can make this herbal tea:

• Boil a glass of water.
• Infuse fresh or dried Echinacea in the boiling water.
• Simmer and boil it for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Strain, and it is ready to serve.
• Add honey to make the tea more palatable.

Echinacea has many health benefits for a pregnant woman. However, we suggest that you take your doctor’s permission before taking this herbal supplement to avoid any complications.

Also Read: List of Herbs to Avoid in Pregnancy