Posted by Larry Hoover on December 20, 2002, at 15:57:25
In reply to For Larry Hoover or anyone else: All-Natural!, posted by bubblegumchewer on December 20, 2002, at 13:01:32
> Ok, there is a woman who irritates me beyond belief on another board (a pregnant women's board) but I will skip all the details. My basic gripe with her this time is that she has recommended to anyone suffering from insomnia what her midwife recommended to her. It is a product with these ingredients:
>
> Magnesium (as magnesium citrate)
> 150mg
>
> Calcium (as calcium lactate)
> 75mg
>
> Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) 270mg
> Passion Flower 4:1 Extract (Passiflora incarnata) 30mg
> Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis) 135mg
> Valerian Root 4:1 Extract (Valeriana officinalis) 15mg
> Hops Flower, Strobile (Humulus lupulus) 270mg
> Hops Strobile 4:1 Extract (Humulus lupulus) 30mg
> Kava Kava Root (Piper methysticum) 90mg> Now, my question is (and I think I partially know the answer): Just because something is "all-natural" does not give it the green light for anyone to use, especially pregnant women, right?
That is a dangerous generalization.
>I mean, aren't some of these ingredients more than merely food supplements but rather pharmaceutically active and therefore they should be investigated before being recommended as safe even for pregnant women just because they are "all-natural?"
The very first hit I had on Google warned against using passionflower when pregnant:
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/31402/346376.html?d=dmtContent"Passionflower is not recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding because animal studies have shown that it may stimulate the uterus....
Although passionflower has been suggested for many conditions, it has been most studied for sedation (restlessness, anxiety, insomnia), usually as a part of herbal combination products. It should be avoided by pregnant women and by anybody taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Passionflower may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by other drugs, herbs or supplements. Passionflower should not be taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs or herbs without first discussing it with your health care provider. Consult your health care provider immediately if you experience side effects."
> As you can see, I am not fooled by the "a.n." claim and that is my irritation of the day. Ok, I'll get over this crotchety episode but I just wanted someone to confirm that these ingredients (kava, valerian to name a few) might be something to question before just popping them on the advice of a midwife. I am irritated by health professionals and laypeople alike who endorse any product that is "a.n." without knowing much about it.Other ingredients (e.g. valerian, kava) have not been shown to be safe during pregnancy.
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:132630
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021217/msgs/132649.html