A systematic review: Are herbal and homeopathic remedies used during pregnancy safe?
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Date
2016
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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AOSIS
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Herbal and homeopathic remedies have been used to assist with childbearing
and pregnancy for centuries. Allopathic (‘Western’) medicine is traditionally avoided during
pregnancy because of limited drug trials and the suspected teratogenic effects of these
medications. This has led to an increase in the use of herbal and homeopathic remedies, as
they are viewed to have no teratogenic effect on the developing foetus. Health providers are
faced with questions from their clients regarding the safety of these remedies, but much of the
evidence about these herbal and homeopathic remedies is anecdotal and few remedies have
been tested scientifically.
OBJECTIVES: By conducting a systematic review, the primary objective was to evaluate
maternal and neonatal outcomes of ingested herbal and homeopathic remedies during
pregnancy.
METHOD: A systematic review was conducted to synthesise all the evidence with the purpose
of evaluating the safety of herbal and homeopathic remedies based on adverse maternal and
neonatal outcomes. Only randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials that met all
inclusion criteria were included in the review.
RESULTS: The ingestion of ginger for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy was shown to
have no harmful maternal or neonatal effects. Ingestion of castor oil for induction of labour
showed a tendency towards an increase in the incidence of caesarean section and meconiumstained
liquor, warranting further research into its safety issues.
CONCLUSION: Larger randomised controlled trials need to be conducted, especially in South
Africa, to establish the safety and efficacy of commonly-used remedies.
Description
Keywords
Herbal and homeopathic remedies, Pregnancy, Allopathic medicine, Safety, Systematic review
Citation
Boltman-Binkowski, H. (2016). A systematic review: Are herbal and homeopathic remedies used during pregnancy safe? Curationis, 39(1): a1514.