Pregnant Women and Herbs

Generally speaking, just as with the cautioned acupuncture points, you want to avoid herbs with strongly dispersive and/or descending actions on the body and most formulas that are strengthening are ok with a few exceptions. The Giovanni text "" is probably one of the better texts to discuss acupuncture and herbal treatments for women generally with large sections discussing issues during pregnancy. All of the herbal texts, personally I like the Chen text "" have all the appropriate contraindications listed as does our site (which you can search the herbal database for) (i.e. see Ba Zhen Wan page).

Please read the Xiao Yao Wan page. If you are saying the formulas are not the same you should note that pian means tablet, wan means ball (or formula generally), san can be used for formula generally or tea... In general though, if you are not fully trained in Chinese Medicine **you should not be treating yourself** even if the herbs seems to be a good fit, particularly if you are (or want to be, or might be) pregnant. Work with a doctor of Chinese Medicine, not only will it be safer, but you will more than likely get better results.