In the impression of many people, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) seems to be safer than Western medicine. Therefore, when pregnant women encounter certain diseases or discomfort, they often choose TCM. However, this idea is not comprehensive. Pregnant women must also take a cautious attitude when taking TCM, especially in the early stages of pregnancy (first three months), and should not take TCM indiscriminately. In addition, even for the treatment of diseases, long-term use of TCM should be avoided as much as possible.
There are several types of TCM that pregnant women should avoid or use with caution, including blood-activating and stasis-removing drugs, heat-clearing and detoxifying drugs, qi-regulating and wind-dispelling drugs, and bitter and cold drugs. Therefore, in addition to single herbs with these effects, the following Chinese patent medicines should also be avoided by pregnant women.
Blood-regulating category: Chinese patent medicines that have the functions of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, regulating blood and collaterals, and stopping bleeding, such as Qili San, Xiao Jin Dan, Hu Zhang Pian, Nao Xue Teng, Yunnan Baiyao, Sanqi Pian, etc., should be used with caution by pregnant women.
Heat-clearing category: Chinese patent medicines that have the functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, purging fire, and drying dampness, such as Liu Shen Wan, can cause fetal malformations when taken in early pregnancy, and can easily lead to intellectual disability in children when taken in late pregnancy; Chinese patent medicines containing ingredients such as Niu Huang, such as Niu Huang Jie Du Pian, Bai Du Gao, Xiao Fei Jie Du Wan, can easily cause miscarriage in pregnant women.
Wind-dampness-dispelling category: Chinese patent medicines that mainly have the functions of dispelling wind, dispersing cold, eliminating dampness, and relieving pain, such as Hu Gu Mu Gua Wan, can cause fetal developmental disorders due to the blood-activating effect of Niu Xi and the hot and pungent nature of Chuan Wu. Similar Chinese patent medicines include Da Xiao Huo Luo Wan, Tian Ma Wan, Hu Gu Zhui Feng Jiu, Hua Tuo Zai Zao Wan, Shang Shi Qu Tong Gao, etc. Antithrombotic Zai Zao Wan contains Da Huang with laxative effect and Shui Zhi that can break blood, so pregnant women should not use it.
Laxative category: Chinese patent medicines that have the functions of moistening intestines and relieving constipation, such as Shi Zao Wan, Zhou Che Wan, Ma Ren Wan, Run Chang Wan, can damage fetal qi and easily cause miscarriage in pregnant women.
Digestive category: Chinese patent medicines that have the functions of promoting digestion, relieving food stagnation, and dissolving accumulations, such as Bing Lang Si Xiao Wan, Jiu Zhi Da Huang Wan, Qing Wei Zhong He Wan, Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan, Da Shan Zha Wan, all have the effects of promoting blood circulation, regulating qi, and purging, and should be used with caution by pregnant women.
Qi-regulating category: Chinese patent medicines that have the effects of regulating qi circulation and relieving qi stagnation, such as Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan, Qi Zhi Wei Tong Chong Ji, Kai Xiong Shun Qi Wan, Shi Xiang Zhi Tong Wan, should be used with caution by pregnant women due to their strong effects of promoting downward movement of qi, breaking qi, and relieving depression.
Brain-refreshing category: Chinese patent medicines that have the effects of refreshing the brain and waking up, such as Guan Xin Su He Wan, Su Bing Di Wan, An Gong Niu Huang Wan, Xing Jun San, contain musk and can easily cause miscarriage when used by pregnant women.
Anthelmintic category: Chinese patent medicines that have the functions of expelling parasites, dissipating accumulations, and relieving pain, and can expel intestinal parasites, such as Nangong Wan, Qu Chong Wan, Hua Chong Wan, should not be taken by pregnant women.
Dampness-expelling category: Chinese patent medicines that treat edema, diarrhea, phlegm retention, jaundice, turbid stranguria, and damp obstruction, such as Li Dan Pai Shi Pian, Dan Shi Tong, Jie Shi Tong, should not be taken by pregnant women because they have the functions of transforming dampness, promoting diuresis, and relieving stranguria.
Wound-healing category: Chinese patent medicines that mainly have the functions of detoxifying, reducing swelling, and healing wounds, such as Gu Fu Sheng Ji San, Chuan Yong Gao, Bai Jiang Dan, contain blood-activating and collaterals-opening ingredients. Bai Ling Gao, Xiao He Gao, Bai Jiang Dan contain more toxic drugs. These types of Chinese patent medicines can easily cause miscarriage in pregnant women, so pregnant women should not use them.
