A traditional treatment for thousands of years, Chinese Medicine has long been favoured for its medicinal-like purposes, helping treat everything from infertility and reproductive disorders to common everyday ailments. Wanting to know more about how Chinese Medicine can help during the long (and uncomfortable!) months of pregnancy, we turned to Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Mark Chern from Urban Rehabto get his best advice for how to safely useChineseHerbs when youre expecting.

Can I take Chinese herbs when Im pregnant? Is there anything I need to be aware of?Traditionally TCM experts dont usually recommend taking Chinese herbs during pregnancy unless the benefits from using herbs outweigh the possible risks. While herbs are seen as natural and perhaps less harmful than drugs, they may also possess side effects.

Take for example, the use of ginger to combat morning sickness. Despite it having been used empirically for the longest time in history, there is now suggestion that excessive exposure to its aromatic oil gingerol may affect cell reproduction.

The first ten weeks of pregnancy are considered most crucial for the formation and development of the embryo. This is the time when one has to be make important decisions. For example, if there is an infection in the lower reproductive tract, do we use a strong antimicrobial like metronidazole or do we use a herbal equivalent? While metronidazole is not used in early pregnancy for safety reasons, we dont have enough information at present to list all the herbs that are safe for use during pregnancy. All we know is that it is safest to wait till the end of the first trimester to be sure that the baby is well-formed, before dedicating to a course of Chinese herbs.

Are there any Chinese herbs that are safe to take during pregnancy? If so, what are they and how do they help?The most common reason for wanting to use Chinese herbs during the first trimester is to protect the foetus. If a woman has already had one or more previous miscarriages, or is experiencing a threatened miscarriage (that may include pain in the lower abdomen and back, as well as uterine bleeding) then it is natural to ask, Should I protect the foetus?

If you are reassured by the fact that the Chinese have been obsessed with and refining the art of protecting the foetus for more than two thousand years, then making a choice to protect the baby wont be that difficult!

Some of the more common formulas prescribed for protecting the foetus include Foetus Longevity Pill and Calming the Foetus Drink. Some herbs with the specific function of protecting the foetus include Eucommia Bark and Astragalus. Eucommia Bark is often used to treat pain in the lower back. It is especially useful for colder constitutional types, due to its warming and strengthening qualities. Astragalus is a Chinese herb well-known in the West as a valuable adaptogen it is able to improve overall functioning of the body.

Originally posted here:

Chinese Herbs during Pregnancy: We chat to the Expert!