i am still learning. I have read that goldeseal helps with uterine contractions. In other words promotes contractions. But then it says to avoid during pregnancy. I am looking for a herb that will promote contractions to help the process. Why would goldenseal be dangerous?

susan_k74,

Goldenseal is one of the herbs (plant materials) that have been used for centuries by women who want to induce menstrual flow.

From WebMD "Unwanted Pregnancy":
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/85/98750.htm?printing=true
"For centuries, women have used what’s called emmenagogues—herbs that can induce menstrual flow. Before legal abortion existed, abortion recipes using emmenagogues were shared by women and included herbs such as parsley, motherwort, mugwort, goldenseal root, blue cohosh root, fresh ginger root, pennyroyal leaves, and dried tansy leaves and flowers. Today, in light of legal and safe medical or surgical abortion, attempting to induce one’s period using any of these herbs is considered by all health practitioners to be dangerous to a woman’s health and is not endorsed by any feminist health or women’s health organization."

Penelope Ody has a book, "Herbs for a Healthy Pregnancy: from Conception to Childbirth". She indicates that goldenseal is a "Uterine stimulant; may lead to premature contractions but safe during childbirth."

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-goldenseal.html
"Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:
Use of goldenseal or berberine is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The chemical hydrastine (found in goldenseal) may induce labor when taken by mouth during pregnancy, and could have dangerous effects."

Years ago, when I was about 10 weeks pregnant, I used goldenseal in a douche to clear up a vaginal infection. A week later I had a miscarriage. It may have been coincidence. I was told when I purchased the product that I shouldn't use it while I was pregnant. I couldn't find any information about what would happen if I did, and certainly no information about what type of use (drinking tea, sprinkling it on my food, using it in a douche, etc) would cause problems.

Basically, there isn't a lot of info out there, because nobody wants women to control their pregnancies or childbirth without medical intervention. Because publishing the old recipes for abortion or help in childbirth are emotionally as negative as publishing recipes for bomb-making, those recipes just aren't published. So even if you want to use goldenseal for a healthy and positive use, there is very little info about just what happens to a woman and her baby when the plant is used, and in just what forms the plant should be used.

I hope that someone else will chime in here with more updated info.

--Rheanna

An old thread has been bumped up. It contains info on lots of herbs:

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=13661

Herbs to Avoid