Herbal medicine use and presence of maternal-fetal complications in pregnant patients from western Mexico: A cross-sectional study

• Published in: Advances in integrative medicine 2024-10
• Main Authors: Ríos-Silva, Mónica, Huerta, Miguel, Cárdenas, Yolitzy, Bricio-Barrios, Jaime Alberto, Marentes-Patrón, Ricardo Antonio, Quizamán, Haitai Emireth, Silva-González, Mario Abad, Verduzco-Ballesteros, Celia Paola, Morentín-Cervantes, Sarahí Guadalupe, Huerta-Faustino, Adriana Vanessa, Bibiano-López, Alba Nalletzin, Trujillo, Xóchitl
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alternative medicine; Herbal medicine; Newborns; Plants; Pregnancy
• ISSN: 2212-9588
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2024.10.002

The use of herbs has been widely studied around the world, their use varies greatly since it is related to social, cultural, and economic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of maternal use of herbal medicine with the presence of maternal-fetal complications in pregnant patients in western Mexico. A cross-sectional study was conducted through a survey of 241 pregnant or postpartum women in western Mexico. A structured interview and a review of their clinical records were used to gain insight about the use of herbal medicine, the type of plants used, and the presence of complications during pregnancy, partum, or the immediate puerperium, as well as complications related to the fetus at birth. Thirty-five-point-seven percent (n=86) of the surveyed women said that they had used herbal medicine during pregnancy. The most frequently mentioned plant was chamomile, prepared as infusion .(55.8 %). Regarding maternal complications, 54.7 % of the users of medicinal plants, and 62.6 % of the non-users presented some complication (p=0.22). Complications in the newborn occurred in 17.5 % and 16.6 %, among users and non-users, respectively (p=0.77). Only 38.3 % (n=33) informed their doctor that they were using any kind of herb, 10.4 % (n=9) of users reported adverse effects of herbal medicines. No association was found between the medicinal plants used by women during pregnancy in western Mexico and the presence of maternal or newborn complications. However, about half of them did not report to their doctor the use of this type of alternative medicine. •The use of herbal medicine in pregnancy is a common but variable practice according to each region.•The plants used in western of Mexico is not associated with side effects in mothers or products.•Pregnant women frequently do not report the use of plants to health personnel.