Are Your Natural Remedies as Safe as You Think?

There's been a huge deal lately about being all-natural and depending more on homeopathic remedies in lieu of jumping straight for the medicine cabinet.  Home remedies can be a great way to treat symptoms (and underlying problems) without a huge doctor bill or unnecessary side effects.  But when opting for the more natural cures, be sure to keep in mind that there is a right way, and a wrong way, to treat yourself at home.  Always consult your doctor or midwife before taking any home remedies.

Remember - "Natural" does not always mean "Safe."  Many herbs and supplements are dangerous during pregnancy, and for small children.

Probably the most used, and misused, supplement would be Vitamin C.  Did you know that Vitamin C can cause miscarriage?   That's why you will often find "rose hip" in a vitamin c ingredient list, as it is a more natural version that will help prevent miscarriage from ascorbic acid.  If you are pregnant, be sure that any vitamin c you ingest contains rose hip.


Below is a list of natural herbs pregnant women should not take, listed on the American Pregnancy Association website:

Avoid During Pregnancy:
Aloe Vera - could cause stimulation of the uterus
Dong Quai – Affects hormonal function and uterine stimulation.
Licorice – Induces pre-term delivery.
St. John’s Wart – Acts as a mild uterine stimulant in lab animals.
Peppermint – Common herb that can act as a uterine irritant or stimulant in higher doses.
Blue Cohosh - Stimulates uterine contractions

But, most of that is already popular knowledge.  You've already scoured over the pregnancy books, you're avoiding sushi and hot tubs... you know all this.  What I'm concerned with is the amount of "natural remedies" that are being used for babies and small children.

I see all of these home remedies floating around on the Internet, and always do as much research as possible before trying any of them out with my little guys.  The thing that bothers me is that my step-daughter's other family is all natural and avoids medicine probably 90% of the time.  They think Vitamin C is a cure all (it's great, don't get me wrong - but sometimes a kid needs a doctor) and that western medicine is a big pharma conspiracy.  I worry though, that they aren't doing the proper amount of research needed before you give a child anything.  I believe that herbs and supplements should be more of a complementary medicine, rather than an alternative medicine.  When used in conjunction with a plan from someone with a medical degree, there's much less chance of screwing it up.

Here are a few "natural" things you should avoid with babies and children:

Avoid With Children:
Chamomile - can be dangerous if your child has a ragweed allergy
Gingko biloba - has a blood-thinning effect that can be dangerous in small children
Menthol - products containing menthol to "help open airways" may cause respiratory distress in babies
Bay leaves - can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract
Hawthorn berry - can cause severe blood pressure drop
Nutmeg - can cause headaches, hallucinations, and seizures

This is by no means an all-inclusive list, and any "medicine" you give your child (whether prescribed or picked up at an herb store) first needs to be talked about with your doctor.

I'm not a doctor.  The only medical advice that I can give you is to consult with your own doctor with any concerns or questions you may have.

Sources: American Pregnancy Association, American Academy of Pediatrics