Use of Herbal Products and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) During Pregnancy

Abstract

Ideal nutrition for all stages of pregnancy is so important, and the safety of consuming common foods, herbal products, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and nonnutritive substances is questionable. Despite the fact that herbs are entirely natural, not all of them are safe to ingest during pregnancy. Herbs such as ginger and peppermint are well known for being a powerful, safe, and effective remedy for vomiting and nausea during pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure are among the important complications during pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia could be increased by drinking tea, while high blood pressure could be decreased with garlic consumption in pregnant women. During pregnancy blood glucose levels and glycogen storage are as important as blood pressure. Turmeric controls blood glucose levels, meanwhile red pepper enhances glycogen storage. Interacting with the cytochrome P450 system causes many food-drug interactions. St. John’s Wort is one of the commonly used herbs that affects this system and should be taken cautiously in pregnancy. Chamomile should be consumed cautiously as well due to its effects on individuals suffering from coagulation disorders. As a safe herb during breastfeeding, fennel should be consumed wisely in pregnancy. Fennel contains estrogen-like features that affect fetal development and birth weight. As herbal products have varying and ambiguous effects, they should be consumed (as condiments, flavoring in foods or beverages) prudently.

Keywords

• herbs
• complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
• pregnancy

Gebelik Döneminde Bitkisel Ürünler ve Tamamlayıcı/Alternatif Tıp (TAT) Kullanım

Abstract

İdeal beslenme hamileliğin tüm evrelerinde çok önemlidir. Bununla birlikte, tüketilen tüm yaygın gıdalar, bitkisel ürünler, tamamlayıcı ve alternatif tıp (TAT) ve besleyici değeri olmayan maddelerin güvenilirliği tartışılabilir. Bitkiler her ne kadar doğal olsalar da, hamilelik sırasında tüm bitkilerin tüketimi güvenli olmayabilir. Zencefil ve nane gibi bitkiler, hamilelik döneminde en sık dört ile altıncı haftaları arasında görülen gebelik kusma ve bulantıları için güçlü, güvenli ve etkili tedavi olarak tanımlanırlar. Preeklampsi ve yüksek tansiyon önemli gebelik komplikasyonlar arasında yer alır. Hamile kadınlarda çay içmek preeklampsi riskini artırabilirken, sarımsak tüketimi ile yüksek tansiyon düşürülebilir. Hamilelik sürecinde kan şekeri seviyesi ve glikojen depolanması en az kan basıncı kadar önem taşımaktadır. Zerdeçal, kan şekeri seviyesini düzenleyip kontrol ederken kırmızı biber vücutta glikojenin depolanmasını artırır. Sitokrom P450 sistemi ile etkileşim, birçok gıda-ilaç etkileşimine yol açar. Bu sistemi etkileyen ve yaygın olarak kullanılan bitkilerden biri olan sarı kantaronun hamilelik döneminde dikkatli alınması gerekir. Hamilelik döneminde tüketiminde ihtiyatlı olunması gereken bir diğer bitki de papatyadır. Papatya yan etkileri sebebiyle pıhtılaşma bozukluğu olan bireyler tarafından dikkatli tüketilmelidir. Rezene emzirme döneminde güvenli bir bitki olarak tanımlansa da, hamilelikte bilinçli ve akıllıca kullanılmalıdır. Rezene östrojen benzeri özellikler içerdiğinden, hamilelik döneminde fetal gelişimi ve doğum ağırlığını etkileybilir. Bitkisel ürünler değişken ve belirsiz etkiler gösterebildiği için çeşni, tatlandırıcı veya içecekler olarak dikkatli tüketilmelidir.

Keywords

• bitkiler
• tamamlayıcı ve alternatif tıp (TAT)
• gebelik

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