Are Chinese herbal medicines harmful to pregnant women?
Reproductive toxicity of Chinese herbal medicines commonly used during pregnancy was identified in mice. Caution should be taken in the clinical use of herbal medicines during pregnancy. Reproductive toxicity of Chinese herbal medicines commonly used during pregnancy was identified in mice.
How effective are TCM prescriptions during pregnancy?
TCM physicians have formulated many well-known TCM formulations or Chinese prescriptions that are deemed effective to prepare women for the different stages of pregnancy. In order to understand how these prescriptions work, we need to take a closer look at how Chinese herbs interact with each other.
Can pregnant women have acupuncture or massage?
Because acupuncture can be deeply relaxing, the pregnant woman often falls asleep during a treatment and enjoys a much-needed rest. Massage during pregnancy is also used in Chinese medicine’s pregnancy health care to relax the woman and aid balance and flow of Qi in the body.
How can Chinese medicine help with postpartum difficulties?
Some of the most common postpartum difficulties treatable by Chinese medicine include insomnia, fainting or dizziness, abdominal pain, depression, fatigue, constipation, incontinence, or insufficient lactation. Chinese medicine is also useful for infants. In Chinese medicine , infants are not regarded as miniature adults.
Can you take Chinese herbs during pregnancy?
Can you take Chinese herbs while you are pregnant? Traditionally, TCM experts don't 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.
Is Chinese medicine good for pregnancy?
As we all know, the improper use of these drugs can be harmful to the fetus, affect the growth of the fetus, or cause the fetus to be teratogenic. TCM has a broad range of medicines, but most of its effects on the fetus is still unclear. Studies have also shown that most pregnant women use TCM by themselves [4].
What Chinese herbs are good for pregnancy?
Codonopsis Root, known as “党参, Dǎng shēn”, is a herb that boosts vital energy or “qi” and reduces fatigue during pregnancy.
Can you get Chinese massage when pregnant?
The answer is: Generally, yes. Massage therapy during pregnancy has been shown to provide many benefits, including a sense of wellness, improved relaxation, and better sleep. But certain techniques and trigger points in the body can cause contractions and premature labor, so seeking expertise is vital.
Can Chinese medicine prevent miscarriage?
Many clinical studies have reported that Chinese herbal medicines can improve pregnancy and live birth rates by preventing miscarriage and promoting the continuation of pregnancy.
How do I prepare for pregnancy TCM?
Similar to IVF, it is recommended to start TCM treatments three months before priming the body and ensure optimal condition before IUI. Take this time to nourish your body by following a clean diet with organic fruits, nuts, vegetables, probiotic supplements, and high-fibre foods.
What herbs should I avoid during pregnancy?
Herbs to avoid during pregnancy include: Uterine stimulants like aloe, barberry, black cohosh, blue cohosh, dong quai, feverfew, goldenseal, juniper, wild yam and motherwort. Herbs that might potentially harm your baby, such as autumn crocus, mugwort (safe for moxibustion but not for ingestion), pokeroot and sassafras.
What spices to avoid in pregnancy?
While certain spices have complex nutrition that you and your child needs, others are not that good for you, in fact, they may turn out to be unsafe....ALERT – Spices that are best avoided during pregnancy!Coriander. ... Garlic. ... Fenugreek. ... Sesame. ... Asafoetida or Hing. ... Peppermint.
Is Acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
Acupuncture has been proven to be safe in all stages of pregnancy. There are however certain points that you would want to avoid during pregnancy entirely and then there are different points/ areas that you would want to avoid or needle differently during the different terms of pregnancy.
Where should you not be massaged when pregnant?
Experts stay safe by avoiding pressure points associated with the pelvis, wrists, hands, and ankles. Due to the risk of blood clots during pregnancy it is also important to avoid deep tissue massage in the legs.
Can I lay on my stomach for massage while pregnant?
As long as you are comfortable, laying on your stomach during a massage will not hurt your baby.
Is deep tissue massage safe during pregnancy?
To be safe, pregnancy massage experts avoid deep massage and strong pressure on the legs. Using strong pressure could dislodge a blood clot. Instead, they use very light, slow strokes on the legs.
What herbs should I avoid during pregnancy?
Herbs to avoid during pregnancy include: Uterine stimulants like aloe, barberry, black cohosh, blue cohosh, dong quai, feverfew, goldenseal, juniper, wild yam and motherwort. Herbs that might potentially harm your baby, such as autumn crocus, mugwort (safe for moxibustion but not for ingestion), pokeroot and sassafras.
Which Chinese herbs improve egg quality?
Tribulus terrestris. Also used in Chinese medicine, the herb Tribulus can be helpful for both male and female fertility. In women with irregular ovulation, especially due to PCOS, Tribulus may help normalize the cycle and create predictable ovulation.
How long does it take for Chinese herbs to work for fertility?
According to a study by the NIH Chinese Herbal medicine increases a woman's fertility, improving pregnancy rates 2-fold over a three to six month period when compared with Western medicine.
Is red dates good for pregnancy?
Are Dates Safe to Eat During Pregnancy? There's no evidence showing any negative effects of eating dates during pregnancy. In fact, dates are great snacks to help curb sugar cravings. Eating a few dates instead of ice cream or candy can help satisfy your sweet tooth.
Why do pregnant women need acupuncture?
Because acupuncture can be deeply relaxing, the pregnant woman often falls asleep during a treatment and enjoys a much-needed rest. Massage during pregnancy is also used in Chinese medicine’s pregnancy health care to relax the woman and aid balance and flow of Qi in the body. Stagnation of a woman’s Qi and blood typically slows the process ...
What is the difference between Chinese medicine and Western medicine?
Compared to Western medicine, Chinese medicine intervenes early-when signs of imbalance occur, prior to significant physical damage to the body. 1 Oriental medicine addresses a broad range of conditions that Western medicine finds difficult to treat. Chinese medicine focuses on the well being of the entire person, ...
Why is massage important during pregnancy?
And massage during pregnancy increases the flow of blood and Qi to the limbs, which is helpful as the fetus grows larger making proper flow more difficult.
What are acupuncture needles?
Acupuncture needles may also be stimulated with pressure, heat, friction or electromagnetic impulses to further activate a person’s Qi . Studies have suggested that needles inserted at acupuncture points help release chemical neurotransmitters in the body, including endorphins.
Why do infants need massage?
Infants also love and benefit from body massage . Due to their rapidly growing bodies, infants consume large amounts of Qi . Therefore, the organs most responsible for producing Qi are frequently in a deficient state. 9 The conditions that the deficiencies of these organs can produce are often effectively treated with pediatric body massage .
What is Oriental medicine?
Oriental medicine is a non-invasive healing modality that facilitates the body’s natural ability to heal itself by restoring harmony and balance to the entire individual. Originating in China more than 3,000 years ago, the medicine is one of the most common medical systems in the world, used by one quarter of the world’s population. Although it has been practiced in the United States for more than 150 years , many Americans first heard of Eastern medicine in 1972 when New York Times columnist James Reston used acupuncture for pain relief from an emergency appendectomy during a trip to China .
When was acupuncture first used?
Although it has been practiced in the United States for more than 150 years , many Americans first heard of Eastern medicine in 1972 when New York Times columnist James Reston used acupuncture for pain relief from an emergency appendectomy during a trip to China .
Early Pregnancy Care and Chinese Medicine
During the first trimester, many women experience moderate to extreme fatigue sometimes with nausea, headaches, mood swings, or constipation. Treating these symptoms naturally offers a great option for women who want the support of natural medicine including acupuncture and herbal healing, rather than pharmaceutical drugs.
Herbal Medicine Support
When necessary Chinese herbs may also be recommended during different stages of pregnancy and can be helpful for a wide variety of symptoms and complications of pregnancy. However, as helpful as Chinese herbs can be, it’s important to work with a trained herbalist as certain herbs are contraindicated and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Chinese Medicine Nutritional Guidance
Chinese Medicine considers the taste, temperature (inherent), and function of foods to determine and categorize food as medicine. Each food works independently and synergistically to promote functions within the body. Interestingly, some of the most recommended foods to eat during pregnancy include:
Receiving Acupuncture in Pregnancy
Overall, acupuncture is a safe and gentle calming treatment that benefits the mother and baby. Chinese Medicine has a long history of providing care for pregnant women.
What is a TCM prescription?
When a TCM physician puts single herbs or groups of herbs together, he/she produces a prescription. Every TCM herbal prescription is customised for each individual. Therefore, not every formulation is suitable for all. It is prescribed according to each patient's specific set of symptoms.
What is TCM supplement?
The Chinese pay special attention to herbs used for pregnant mothers. TCM physicians have formulated many well-known TCM formulations or Chinese prescriptions that are deemed effective to prepare women for the different stages of pregnancy.
How do Chinese herbs work together?
The proper combination of herbs is based on their natural functional properties. There are several basic ways Chinese herbs can work together. For example, when herbs with similar properties are used, they enhance or boost the healing power within the entire formulation.
What is the final month of pregnancy?
However, in China, great reverence is given to the final month of pregnancy and we begin to prepare the woman and the baby for the birthing journey and to tonify the body to ensure that the mother has enough qi and blood to enable labor and birth to occur quickly and easily.
When is the most unstable time to have a baby?
The first 3 months are the most unstable in a pregnancy. CHM will focus on maintaining a pregnancy during the first 3 months, especially if a woman has experienced miscarriages prior to this pregnancy.
Can Chinese herbal medicine be prescribed?
Chinese herbal medicine can aid with symptoms but can only be prescribed by a registered Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioner. All formula are specific to the individual and can only be taken by them.
What should a pregnant woman do during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, a woman should practice daily to have a pure heart, gratitude, positive thoughts, speak kind words, and watch nice things. In this way, the fetus's natural Qi is pure, which is helpful to the formation of good temperament and personality characteristics of a kind person.
What is the 6th month of pregnancy?
During the sixth month, the fetus is nourished by the Stomach channel, which should not be needled. During this period, the fetus begins to receive from the mother the Qi of the lungs which form the fetus' sinews (it is called "grow fetus sinew time"). Also, in the sixth month, the fetus' mouth and eyes are completely formed. Therefore, outdoor gentle exercise, yoga, stretching, or going to the countryside to look at horses and dogs running will make the fetus’ sinews and muscles strong and later on have good spine and body shape.
How many emotions should a pregnant woman have?
The pregnant mother should keep her seven emotions even. She should abandon loneliness, sadness, and worry, and always maintain a stable and optimistic mood. In this way, the Qi and Blood of the pregnant woman can be harmonious, and the fetal elements can be adjusted and consolidated, which is conducive to the growth and development of the healthy fetus.
What channel does the fetus absorb?
During this period of time, the fetus begins to absorb Essence from the mother’s Kidney channel (original Jing) to form its blood vessels. Therefore, the pregnant mother should always keep a calm and peaceful mind.
What is the third trimester of pregnancy?
In the third trimester of pregnancy (8-10 months of gestation), fetal growth and development are particularly rapid , and it is also the critical moment of brain development. Pregnant women should eat more high-quality protein, pay attention to the combination of animal protein and plant protein, and eat less salt and alkaline foods to prevent edema.
What is the best food for a fetus?
In the second trimester of pregnancy (4-7 months of pregnancy), the growth of the fetus is accelerated. Pregnant women should eat foods rich in protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Rice, beans, meat, fish, and eggs are rich in protein. Calcium is found in egg yolk, milk, shrimp skin, animal bones, and green vegetables, while phosphorus is found in soybeans, chicken, and mutton. Eating these foods can promote the growth of muscles and bones, nourish the marrow and brain, and contribute to the development of the fetus.
How much sleep should a woman get during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, women should aim for at least 8 hours of good, deep sleep. During late pregnancy, they should take a nap at noon every day. A few weeks before labor, they should increase their sleep time. The sleeping position should be on the left side.