Can St John’s Wort be taken while pregnant? (9 tips)

This article discusses whether it is safe to take Saint John’s Wort during pregnancy. It will explore research findings on this topic and mention the general benefits and risks of taking this herb while pregnant.

Finally, the article will provide some suggestions on how to take Saint John’s Wort during pregnancy to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Can St John’s Wort be taken while pregnant?

Yes, Saint John’s Wort can be taken during pregnancy. It has a very good safety profile and doesn’t cause any pregnancy- or baby-related side effects.

Saint John’s Wort is a medicinal herb that can help with mood, depression, stress, wound healing, and infections. However, while it is considered very safe, it may cause side effects like dizziness, dry mouth, gastrointestinal discomfort, and headaches. For some pregnant women, these side effects may be undesirable.

Moreover, Saint John’s Wort decreases the efficacy of some drugs taken during pregnancy. It is recommended for pregnant women who want to take Saint John’s Wort to discuss this with their doctors and inform them about all their concurrent medications.

What does research suggest?

There’s a systematic review that analyzed the findings of case reports and studies on SJW’s safety in pregnancy. This review found that there aren’t any case reports of pregnancy-related problems when taking SJW, and pregnant women taking it didn’t experience any significant side effects [1].

However, in vitro studies on animal tissue found that taking SJW during pregnancy can result in low birth weight. These in vitro animal studies also stated that SJW’s use in pregnancy does not affect the cognitive function of the newborn [1].

Furthermore, this systemic review addressed SJW’s potential to induce CYP3a4 enzymes, which may increase the breakdown of the medications taken during pregnancy [1].

Moreover, while it was found that taking this herb during pregnancy and breastfeeding is generally safe, very few cases reported that SJW’s use during breastfeeding led to cholic, drowsiness, and fatigue [1].

Does St. John’s Wort cross the placenta?

One study investigated whether hypericin and hyperforin, which are the main active constituents of St. John’s Wort, cross the placenta. It found that after 4 hours of administration, only 7.2% of hyperforin’s initial concentration in the mother’s blood crossed the placenta, while hypericin did not cross it at all [2].

It was concluded by the study that SJW has no negative impact on placental cells. It also stated that the very small percentage of hyperforin that may cross the placenta does not affect the body [2].

What are the benefits of taking SJW during pregnancy?

Hyperforin and hypericin inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the cells, increasing their availability in the synaptic cleft and increasing their actions. As a result, SJW is very effective in enhancing mood and treating depressive symptoms in pregnant women [3].

Furthermore, Saint John’s Wort can help treat viral infections, such as herpes infections or HIV infections. It can also aid in treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant organisms, such as MRSA and PRSA [3].

Moreover, when applied topically, this herb has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects that are especially helpful in managing eczema and herpetic lesions [3].

What are the side effects of taking SJW during pregnancy?

Saint John’s wort doesn’t cause pregnancy-related side effects, but it is still important to be aware of its general side effects. Its side effects are elaborated below [4]:

One of the most severe side effects is serotonin syndrome. This side effect is most likely to occur while taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Thus, this herb should not be taken with antidepressants like citalopram and sertraline.

Tips to safely take St. John’s Wort during pregnancy

Taking St. John’s Wort during pregnancy can be generally safe, but it is important to be aware of potential side effects and drug interactions. Here are some tips to safely use St. John’s Wort while pregnant:

• Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any herbal supplement, including St. John’s Wort.

• Begin with a low dose of St. John’s Wort and gradually increase if necessary, under the guidance of your healthcare provider. This allows you to monitor how your body reacts to the herb.

• St. John’s Wort may cause gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. If you experience these symptoms, try taking the herb with food or reducing the dosage.

• Headaches and dry mouth are potential side effects of St. John’s Wort usage during pregnancy. Ensure you drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated and reduce these symptoms.

• Monitor liver and kidney function. Although rare, St. John’s Wort has been associated with liver and kidney problems in some cases. Thus, you may need to assess your baseline liver and kidney function to see if the herb is suitable for you. However, this will mainly be your doctor’s decision. 

• St. John’s Wort can interact with various medications by increasing their breakdown in the body, potentially reducing their effectiveness, or causing adverse effects during pregnancy.

• If you are taking benzodiazepines, theophylline (asthma medication), ivabradine (heart medication), digoxin (heart medication), cyclosporin, or warfarin, avoid using St.John’s Wort as it may interfere with these drugs.

• Inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking so they can advise on potential interactions.

• Pregnancy itself often causes nausea; it is important to be aware that adding St.John’s wort might increase this symptom further.

Understanding St. John’s Wort’s impact on pregnancy

Based on my research, I found that it’s safe to take Saint John’s wort during pregnancy. However, pregnant women who already have liver or kidney diseases should not take Saint John’s Wort.

Moreover, I don’t recommend taking this herb while breastfeeding, as studies have found that it may cause side effects for the baby. From my perspective, I believe that pregnant women taking digoxin, theophylline, ivabradine, and certain other drugs should not take SJW.

Based on my knowledge, while it’s safe for pregnant women to take SJW, they should consider some factors first. These factors include increased nausea, drug interactions, and monitoring of liver and kidney functions if necessary.

I also recommend starting with a low dose to assess your body’s response to that herb first.

References