Herbal medicines in pregnancy and the postnatal period study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Longitudinal Usage Study of Herbal Medicines in Pregnancy and the Postnatal Period (LUSHMeds): Patterns and Trends in Use, User-Perceived Effectiveness, User-Perceived Safety, and Behavioural Determinants of Use
IRAS ID
230305
Contact name
James McLay
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aberdeen University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 0 days
Research summary
Studies report that about a third of the UK public use herbal medicines with women being higher users even during pregnancy. In Scotland our own research has shown that at the beginning and end of pregnancy bout 40% of pregnant women use herbal medicines to keep them and their baby well or to treat pregnancy related complaints. However, how pregnant women use herbal medicines throughout pregnancy and beyond and whether or not they find then effective and free from side effects is unknown. Further important issues identified by our own research are that pregnant women do not discuss their herbal use with health professionals and that about 20% use prescription and herbal medicines giving rise to the potential for serious interactions. We plan to look more closely at the way pregnant women use herbal and other medicines throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period. We also want to understand influences on their decision to use herbals and whether they believe herbals have been effective or caused side effects. The findings of this study will inform self-care and professional practice by identifying the scale of herbals use, perceived positive and negative effects and the proportion of women at risk from potential herb-drug interactions.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0647
Date of REC Opinion
5 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion