Risks and benefits of use of medicinal plants during pregnancy: a review

Abstract

The administration of drugs or any substances in order to minimize the discomfort of the gestational period can compromise the good development of the new being in formation or even cause abortion. This study aimed to realize an integrative literature review on the prevalence of the use of medicinal plants by women during pregnancy. Between November 2019 and September 2020, a survey was performed in the Scielo database and in CAPES journals with the descriptors “medicinal plant during pregnancy”, “ethnobotany and pregnant women” and their correspondents in Portuguese: “planta medicinal durante a gravidez”; “etnobotanica e gestantes”. Among the articles published in the period from 2001 to 2020, 50 studies were appropriated in the inclusion and exclusion criteria being selected for this review. All studies (100%) were conducted through interviews. One of these studies is of a multinational character. The medicinal plants most commonly used by pregnant women are Lippia alba (lemongrass -79.5%), Peumus boldus Molina (boldo -41%), Pimpinella anisum (fennel -28%) and Matricaria recutita (chamomile -28%).