Spices vs. Herbs

Let’s explore some of the spices and herbs that are not recommended for frequent use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Many of these items can be used in different ways, such as in baking, to flavor candy, as spices in foods, toppings on salads, or as part of herbal teas. To clarify, the difference between a spice and an herb is that herbs have to have a green leafy part and are mainly used for flavoring. They are also used as a garnish in cooking or salads. Spices, on the other hand, come from a variety of things such as dried roots, nuts, dried fruits and vegetables, or even from bark. Some spices are used for flavoring, while others are used as food preservatives or to give food color. If you use these herbs and spices once in a while as flavoring in your food and drinks, that is OK. The concern is when you consume these items every day or most days.

Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds come from the poppy plant and are often used in foods such as bagels, pastries, cakes, and salad dressings. The seeds are washed and processed before use and eating small amounts now and then as part of a food dish or baked item is not known to be a risk during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, the outer surface of the poppy seed does contain small amounts of morphine and other opiates such as codeine. When poppy seeds are used to make tea, the drugs can seep into the water when the seeds are soaked. Poppy seed tea should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding for this reason.

Nutmeg

Who hasn’t had nutmeg floating on top of a latte or a cup of hot apple cider on a cold day in the winter? Nutmeg is a ground spice that comes from the seed of a dark-leaved evergreen tree. Nutmeg is also used in many different baked goods and with vegetables, specifically going well with squash dishes. Eating a little nutmeg as a spice in food does not have a known increased risk during pregnancy or breastfeeding. But high levels of nutmeg can also be used as a recreational drug as it contains myristicin, which has mind altering hallucinogenic effects. The myristicin isolated from nutmeg oil can be used to produce synthetic amphetamines. Also, in the past, nutmeg was used in folk medicine to induce abortion. Because of this, high level exposure should be avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Peppermint

Peppermint use is a common question during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Peppermint is a popular herb used as flavoring in candy, chewing gum, desserts, and tea. Peppermint oil is also made from the leaves of the peppermint plant. The oil is widely used topically on the skin to treat headaches, muscle, and joint aches and pain, and in aromatherapy to treat coughs and colds. Peppermint oil can also be diluted with water and sprinkled around your house as an insect repellent too. So is this popular herbal product a risk during pregnancy? High levels of peppermint exposure during pregnancy can be a risk since it can relax the muscles of the uterus and increase the risk for miscarriage. For that reason, frequent use of peppermint oil on your skin (see our blog on essential oils) or drinking lots of peppermint tea is not advised during pregnancy.

Rosemary

One of my favorite herbs is rosemary! It is easy to grow and widely used as a seasoning in soups, salads, vegetable dishes, and with chicken and fish. Rosemary grows as a large evergreen shrub. The small evergreen “needles” are used in cooking, while the oil is used in folk medicine for digestive problems and to treat headaches. The concern comes when ingesting large amounts of rosemary, which can stimulate menstruation and increase the risk for miscarriage. Due to this reason, using rosemary for medicinal reasons or frequently on your skin is not advised during pregnancy. Rosemary also contains camphor. When taken orally in high amounts, camphor can act as a poison.

Garlic

Lastly, I want to talk about garlic, a favorite for many people. Is it an herb or a spice? Even though garlic is widely used as both an herb and a spice, it is really a root vegetable. I still want to include it in this blog due to its widespread use as a spice. Garlic is popular in pasta dishes, in garlic butter and on garlic toast, and in many dishes such as stews and soups! Additionally, garlic is high in vitamins B6 and C and is also high in calcium, so it’s often taken as an oral supplement. Yet taking high levels of garlic can increase the risk for bleeding as garlic contains alliin, which acts as a blood thinner in our bodies. During pregnancy, this can lead to an increased risk for miscarriage. Avoiding high levels of garlic during pregnancy is advised. Even topical use of garlic on your skin is not advised as it can cause dermatitis and burns. When breastfeeding, eating garlic can change the taste of the milk and babies may not like it. Garlic use can also increase the chance for gas and colic in some babies.

Hopefully this blog has helped you make heads and tails out of using/eating/drinking these spices and herbs during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In general, with many spices and herbs, using a little bit to flavor your food usually does not have any known increased risks during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, using the product in a tea or as an oral supplement is often not advised. We have a helpful fact sheet on herbal supplements that explains how little pregnancy safety data there is on most herbal supplements. Plus, these products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safe use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Any time you have questions or concerns about using spices and herbs during pregnancy, please contact us! One of our specialists will be happy to help you.

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