Can pregnant women eat shepherd's purse?
Apr 22, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Pregnant women should consume shepherd's purse cautiously, especially avoiding its consumption during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Shepherd's purse is a nutrient-rich wild vegetable containing various minerals and trace elements such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, and calcium. Consuming it in moderation can help supplement nutrition, enhance immunity, and promote the healthy development of the fetus. However, shepherd's purse also contains a substance called oxalic acid, which has effects similar to those of oxytocin.
Generally, pregnant women should consume shepherd's purse cautiously, especially avoiding it during the first and third trimesters. Detailed explanations are as follows:
Shepherd's purse is a nutrient-rich wild vegetable containing vitamin C, carotene, calcium, and various other minerals and trace elements. Consuming it in moderation can help supplement nutrition, enhance immunity, and promote healthy fetal development. However, shepherd's purse also contains a substance called tannic acid, which has effects similar to oxytocin and can stimulate uterine contractions. During the early stages of pregnancy, when the embryo's implantation is still unstable, consuming large amounts of shepherd's purse may increase the risk of miscarriage. In late pregnancy, frequent uterine contractions may trigger premature labor.
Furthermore, shepherd's purse has a cooling property, and excessive consumption may increase internal coldness, leading to physical discomfort and affecting fetal development. Pregnant women with a cold body constitution should be particularly cautious. Some pregnant women may also be allergic to shepherd's purse, experiencing allergic reactions such as skin itching and swelling.
It is recommended that pregnant women understand their physical condition and constitution before consuming shepherd's purse. If their health condition is good, without risk factors such as preterm labor or miscarriage, and they are not allergic to shepherd's purse, they may consume small amounts after ensuring it is thoroughly cleaned. However, if any discomfort or concerns arise, consumption should be avoided, and professional medical advice should be sought.
