Table 4 The most frequently used herbs, route of administration and reported traditional indications during pregnancy
No. | Herba | Number of users (Total = 1283) | Route | Time of use (Trimester of gestation)b | Reported traditional use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Peppermint (Mentha piperita)2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 | 292 (22.8%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Flu, cough, heartburn, bloating, flatulence, stomach/abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, facilitate delivery, relaxation |
2 | Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum)1, 2, 3, 6 | 188 (14.7%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Flu, cough, stomach/abdominal pain, vomiting, diuretic, chest pain, laxative, flatulence, infections, relaxation |
3 | Olibanum (Frankincense - Boswellia sacra)4, 8 | 166 (12.9%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd | Increasing neonate’s intelligence |
4 | Flixweed seed (Descurainia sophia)4, 8 | 156 (12.2%) | Oral | 3rd | Cold, constipation, prevention of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia |
5 | Ginger (Zingiber officinale)1,2,3,4,5,6,8 | 147 (11.5%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Flu, cold, cough; nausea, vomiting; weight reduction |
6 | Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)2, 5, 8 | 121 (9.4%) | Oral | 1st, 3rd | Flu, cough, stomach/abdominal pain, vomiting, diuretic, chest pain, laxative, flatulence, pharyngitis, relaxation |
7 | Sage (Salvia officinalis)2, 3 | 112 (8.7%) | Oral, vaginal | NR | Flu, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain, infections, teeth pain |
8 | Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)2, 4, 5, 8 | 100 (7.8%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Anemia, bloating, stomach/abdominal pain, laxative, facilitate delivery |
9 | Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) 2, 3, 6 | 80 (6.2%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Cough, infections, constipation, piles, |
10 | Black seed (Nigella sativa)1, 3, 5 | 79 (6.2%) | Oral | NR | Colic, gases, nutritional supplement, infections |
11 | Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)4 | 78 (6.1%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Breathing problems |
12 | Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera)7 | 69 (5.4%) | Oral, topical | NR | Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, constipation, smooth body and hair |
13 | Borage (Borago officinalis)4, 8 | 66 (5.1%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Cold, constipation, tranquilizer |
14 | Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)1, 2, 3, 5 | 56 (4.4%) | Oral | NR | Flu, cough, digestive disorders, infections (pharyngitis, urinary tract, bronchitis) |
15 | Ammi (Ammi visnaga)8 | 50 (3.9%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal problems |
16 | Chicory (Cichorium intybus)4 | 47 (3.7%) | Oral | 3rd | Prevention of neonatal jaundice |
17 | Green tea (Camellia sinensis)4, 6 | 47 (3.7%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Sedative |
18 | Chahar tokhmeh [Quince + Alyssum + Greater plantain + Basil] (Cydonia oblonga + Lobularia maritima + Plantago major + Ocimum basilicum) 4 | 41 (3.2%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Respiratory infections |
19 | Garlic (Allium sativum)5, 6 | 37 (2.9%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Enhance immune system for herself and healthy baby |
20 | Dates (Phoenix dactylifera)2 | 34 (2.6%) | Oral | NR | Energy, facilitate delivery, laxative |
21 | Castor oil (Ricinus communis)5 | 33 (2.6%) | Oral | NR | Induce labor |
22 | Egyptian willow (Salix aegyptiaca)4 | 32 (2.5%) | Oral | 3rd | Sedative |
23 | Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)4, 5, 8 | 31 (2.4%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Cold, bloating, stomach-ache |
24 | Basil (Ocimum basilicum) 8 | 28 (2.2%) | Oral | 2nd, 3rd | Prevention of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia |
25 | Oregano (Origanum vulgare)4 | 27 (2.1%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Cough |
26 | Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)2, 5, 8 | 24 (1.9%) | Oral | 1st, 2nd | Flatulence, abdominal pain, facilitate labor |
27 | Jujube (Zyzyphus jujube)4 | 23 (1.8%) | Oral | 1st | Nausea |
28 | Aloe (Aloe vera)4 | 18 (1.4%) | Topical | 3rd | Skin cracks |
29 | Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila)7 | 13 (1.0%) | Oral | NR | Facilitate labor, loss of libido |
30 | Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)4 | 12 (0.9%) | Inhalation | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Breathing problems |
31 | Olive oil (Olea europaea)5 | 11 (0.9%) | Oral | NR | Healthy development of fetus |