Herbs for horses are part of a natural diet, but do you know which herbs are not recommended for the pregnant mare or any other pregnant mammal? Here is a list of herbs contraindicated in pregnant mares compiled from various resources that you might find useful.
When it comes to pregnancy, it is important to do some research before giving anything to the future mother. Even if it seems to be as natural and common as a herb can be.
This list is not exhaustive and I am sure I will come across some other herbs!
| Plant Name | Effects |
|---|---|
| Aloe Vera (Aloe vera) | Uterine stimulant |
| Angelica (Angelica spp.) | Uterine stimulant |
| Chaste Berry (Vitex agnus-castus) | Emmenagogue |
| Black and Blue Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) | Uterine stimulant, abortifacient, hormonal effects |
| Burdock (Arctium lappa) | Uterine stimulant, oxytocic |
| Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla or recutita) | Possible abortifacient, emmenagogue, uterine stimulant |
| Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) | Uterine stimulant |
| Cloves (Eugenia caryophyllata) | Abortifacient |
| Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) | Teratogenic, mutagenic, fetotoxin |
| Fennel (Foeniculum officinale) | Uterine stimulant |
| Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) | Oxytocic, emmenagogue, abortifacient |
| Garlic (Allium sativum) | Large doses can be uterine stimulating, can have emmenagogue effects, will pass in the milk then to the foal, which may upset its fragile digestive system |
| Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) | Be cautious during early pregnancy as it can be uterine stimulant |
| Ginseng (Panax spp.) | May adversely affect the foetus |
| Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) | Uterine stimulant, emmenagogue |
| Juniper (Juniperius communis) | Uterine stimulant |
| Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia and all other species) | Emmenagogue |
| Mint – all species – (Mentha spp.) | Reduces milk flow |
| Motherwort (Leonurus spp.) | Uterine stimulant |
| Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) | Uterine stimulant, emmenagogue |
| Red clover (Trifolium pretense) | Abortifacient, emmenagogue |
| Raspberry leaves (Rubus idaeus) | Uterine stimulant and should be avoided at the beginning of pregnancy, but are all right at the end for birth preparation and in small dose |
| Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) | Uterine stimulant, emmenagogue, abortifacient |
| Sage (Salvia officinalis) | Uterine stimulant, emmenagogue, abortifacient |
| Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) | Emmenagogue |
| Turmeric (Curcuma longa aromatica) | Uterine stimulant, emmenagogue, abortifacient |
| Vervain (Verbena officinalis) | Uterine stimulant |
| Wormwood and Mugwort (Artemisia absinthum & vulgaris) | Uterine stimulant, emmenagogue, abortifacient |
| Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) | Uterine stimulant, emmenagogue, abortifacient |
Glossary of terms:
Abortifacient: induces abortion
Emmenagogue: promotes menstrual flow
Oxytocic: promotes birth
Uterine stimulant: produces uterine spasms
Teratogenic: able to disturb the growth and development of an embryo or fetus
Mutagenic: an agent capable of causing mutations
Fetotoxin: a substance or agent that can poison or cause degenerative effects in a developing fetus or embryo
References:
S.G. Wynn, B.J Fougere “Veterinary Herbal Medicine” Mosby Elsevier, 2007
P.O. Mnimh “The Herb Society’s Complete Medicinal Herbal” Dorling kindersley Book, 1993
M Pedersen “Nutritional Herbology” Wendell W. Whitman Co, 2002
Is it safe to give chokeberries to pregnant mares?
Hi Sara, I am assuming you are talking about Aronia berries and not choke cherries. I can’t find documentation stating not to give to pregnant mares, so it appears there is no contra-indications. But it’s best to be cautious with pregnant mares because a combination of some unknown factors with the herb may cause abortion.
Is ashwaghanda safe for pregnant mares?
Hi there, yes I believe it’s ok to give this herb to mares. It may help calming them down. There is a product in Australia from Betavet that uses ashwagandha and is good for mares, gelding and old horses.
Help?
I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of herbs safe in pregnant mares that help with respiratory/allergy/heaves. My mare only gets heaves when immunocompromised with pregnancy. Nearly everything I find Is marked unsafe. I plan To add garlic (only 6-8g) and spirulina to my regimen now, which is milk thistle seed and dandelion I harvest Myself. I cant Find anything else safe. Can you help?
Her environmental factors have already been controlled.
Hi Shayna, apology for the late response. These herbs are ok with pregnant mares that may help with respiratory issues: marshmallow root and leaf, nettle as you already know, mullein, peppermint, and rosehips to help with her recovery, echinacea to fight viruses. I hope this helps.