Which traditional Chinese medicines should not be used during pregnancy?

The use of traditional Chinese medicine without proper control over its origin and unreliable preparation methods can harm the health of both the fetus and the mother.

Aconite is a medicinal herb that should not be used during pregnancy.

Compared to Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine generally has fewer adverse effects on the health of both mother and fetus, making it a popular choice for nourishing pregnant women. Of course, not all traditional Chinese medicines are harmless during pregnancy. Therefore, it's important to be aware of certain herbs and avoid using them if they may negatively impact the safety of both mother and fetus.

Traditional Chinese medicine works differently for each individual; some people see results after just a few doses, while many others see no improvement even after taking many doses. Therefore, during pregnancy, whether taking Western or traditional Chinese medicine, extreme caution is necessary to avoid harming the fetus. While taking the medicine, one must carefully monitor and observe their body for any unusual changes and report them promptly to the doctor, immediately stopping the treatment if necessary.

Pregnant women who wish to use traditional Chinese medicine for nutritional supplementation should consult a doctor for diagnosis and prescription, and not rely on others to prescribe it for them. This is because each pregnant woman has a different physical condition and health status.

In addition, it is important to buy medicine from reputable sources with clear origins. Prepare the medicine according to the prescribed dosage and avoid misuse. Before preparing the decoction, rinse the herbs thoroughly several times to remove any dirt or preservatives that may remain.

The best and safer way is for the mother tohealth supplementsBy eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with adequate rest, and exercising regularly, this is the safest and most effective way to protect the health of both mother and fetus.

In short, if you feel the need to use traditional Chinese medicine, even for tonics, you should consult a doctor and not use any medicine indiscriminately.

Absolutely forbidden ingredients:

Snake venom, aconite, thorny aconite, black aconite, wild yam, mercury, croton, primrose, euphorbia, thorny aconite, cinnabar, bile, scutellaria... For example, the book *Biệt Lục* states that "aconite" is the leading herb causing miscarriage...

Some relatively prohibited medicinal ingredients include: water chestnut, insect, centipede, realgar, morning glory seeds, licorice root, claw-shaped wormwood, musk...
Certain medications should be used in moderation:

Some herbs that promote blood circulation can lead to miscarriage, such as Imperata cylindrica, Akebia quinata, Polygonum multiflorum, Tetrapanax papyriferus, Coix lacryma-jobi, Hematite, Glauber's salt, Prunus persica, Paeonia lactiflora, Sparganium erectum, Achyranthes bidentata, Zingiber officinale, Cinnamomum cassia, Pinellia ternata, Gleditsia sinensis, Arisaema amurense, Sophora japonica, and Cicada molting (cicada exoskeleton)...

Some synthetic herbal medicines that pregnant women should avoid include: Niuhuang Jiedu Wan, Da Hualuo Dan, Xiao Hualuo Dan, Liu Shen Wan, Su He Xiang Wan, Niuhuang Qingxin Wan, Zi Xue Dan, Hei Xi Dan, Kaihong Shunqi Wan, Fu Fang Dang Gui, Zhu Sha Yi, Shi Zhi Shui, Xiao Jin Dan, and Yu Zhu San. Additionally, Huo Xiang Zhengqi Wan, Fang Feng Tong Sheng Wan, and snake gall (from the Moxa family) should also be used with caution.

According to Health & Life - NT