Can you take echinacea when pregnant?
Charlotte Thomas
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Find out if it's safe to take echinacea during pregnancy, whether there are any risks to you or your unborn baby, and what you can take instead of echinacea when you're pregnant.
When you have a cold or feel a bit sniffly, you might reach for some echinacea to boost your immune system and help fight the infection. But what exactly is echinacea and is it safe to take during pregnancy?
What is echinacea?
Echinacea is a popular herbal remedy made from a group of flowering plants known as echinacea.
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The flowers are native to North America and have been used by Native Indians to treat illnesses and ailments for hundreds of years.
Echinacea is available in pharmacies and health food shops in the UK. It’s often sold in tablet form, as an effervescent tablet to be added to water, as a concentrate to make up hot drinks, or as drops to be taken in water.
What is echinacea used for?
Echinacea is most commonly used to treat colds, flu and upper respiratory tract infections. Some studies suggest echinacea could help your immune system fight off viruses.
Is echinacea safe to take in pregnancy?
It’s best to avoid taking echinacea when you’re pregnant. That's because there hasn't been enough research into the effects of echinacea during pregnancy to rule out any risks for you or your unborn baby.
One published study found that there were no increases in miscarriage or birth defects among pregnant women who took echinacea. However the numbers were very small – just 261 women were surveyed – so scientists can’t say for sure whether echinacea is safe.
The NHS also says that just because something is natural doesn't mean it's OK. It advises:
‘Not all "natural" remedies or complementary therapies are safe in pregnancy.
'Some products used may not be of a high quality and may contain other substances, such as lead, that could be harmful.’
What do echinacea manufacturers say about pregnancy?
Here’s the official advice from popular echinacea manufacturers in the UK about taking their products when you're pregnant:
- Boots own-brand echinacea products: 'Do not take if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.'
- A. Vogel echinacea products: 'Do not use if you are allergic to Echinacea, other members of the daisy (Asteraceae / Compositae) family or any of the other ingredients or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.'
- Superdrug own-brand echinacea products: 'Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, planning to become pregnant or taking any prescribed medicines.'
- Holland & Barrett own-brand echinacea products: 'This product is not suitable if you are under 12 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding.'
- Vitabiotics echinacea products: 'Do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or to Echinacea or any other members of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.'
What should I do if I've taken echinacea when I’m pregnant?
If you’ve already taken echinacea during pregnancy, try not to worry. It’s unlikely there’ll be any risks or side effects.
Speak to your midwife or doctor so they can put your mind at rest.
Going forwards, you should always discuss any herbal, homeopathic, aromatherapy or alternative treatments with your pharmacist, midwife or doctor to make sure they're safe in pregnancy.
Which cold and flu remedies are safe to take in pregnancy?
If you're looking for an alternative to echinacea when you're pregnant, here's what you can take if you have a cold or the flu.
Colds in pregnancy
Lots of tablets and medicines can’t be taken during pregnancy as they cross the placenta and reach your baby. This includes ibuprofen, which is found in many cold and flu remedies.
However, the NHS says paracetamol is safe to take when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. A low dose of paracetamol could help reduce your temperature and throat pain if you have a cold. You should also drink lots of water, get plenty of rest and try and eat healthily.
You can find information about lots of different medicines and whether they’re safe to take when you’re pregnant on bumps – best use of medicine in pregnancy.
The flu in pregnancy
The flu can be very serious in pregnancy so pregnant women in the UK are advised to get the flu jab. The fu jab is safe at every stage of pregnancy – speak to your GP if you haven’t been offered a jab yet.
You can find more information about the flu jab in pregnancy here.
If you do contract the flu, there is a medicine that can be prescribed by your GP and taken in pregnancy. It must be taken as soon as possible after symptoms appear to be effective, so speak to your GP immediately if you suspect you have the flu.
What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff is a must-read for all expectant parents. Packed full of advice, is has over 15,000 positive reviews on Amazon! See more details here.
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