Adaptogens in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
What NIH, the European Medicines Agency, LactMed and published reviews say about adaptogen herbs in pregnancy and breastfeeding, ingredient by ingredient, and where evidence is missing.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
Is it safe to use adaptogens while pregnant or breastfeeding? The sources we read do not establish safety for any of them, and several advise avoiding certain ones. NIH says many dietary supplements have not been tested in pregnant women or nursing mothers. [1] Ask your prenatal or pediatric clinician before using any herbal product. General guidance is in pregnancy and breastfeeding: supplements and herbs.
What the sources say, ingredient by ingredient
| Ingredient | Pregnancy | Breastfeeding | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera | NIH: should be avoided [2]. MSK: pregnant women should avoid it, as it may increase miscarriage risk at higher doses [3]. | NIH: should not be used [2]. | NCCIH 2023; MSK |
| Asian ginseng, Panax ginseng | NIH: some studies suggest it may be unsafe by mouth in pregnancy; a chemical in it caused birth defects in animals [4]. EMA: not recommended [5]. | NIH: little is known [4]. LactMed: no data on safety in nursing mothers or infants [6]. | NCCIH 2025; EMA; LactMed 2021 |
| Eleuthero, Eleutherococcus senticosus | EMA: safety not established, not recommended [7]. | LactMed: most sources recommend against use because of a lack of safety data [8]. MSK: avoid [9]. | EMA; LactMed 2024; MSK |
| Rhodiola, Rhodiola rosea | NIH: little is known [10]. EMA: not recommended [11]. | Same sources. | NCCIH 2025; EMA |
| Licorice, Glycyrrhiza species | NIH: large amounts of oral extract in pregnancy are unsafe and can raise the risk of delivery before 38 weeks [12]. EMA: not recommended [13]. | EMA: not recommended [13]. LactMed: glycyrrhizin is detectable in breastmilk of some women [14]. | NCCIH 2025; EMA; LactMed 2026 |
| Astragalus | NIH: little is known; some animal research suggests toxicity to the fetus [15]. | NIH: little is known [15]. | NCCIH 2025 |
| Maca, Lepidium meyenii | MSK: talk to your provider; may not be safe [16]. | Same. | MSK |
| Holy basil, schisandra, amla, shatavari, others | Not described in the sources we read. | Not described in the sources we read. | n/a |
Ashwagandha: where the evidence is mixed
Ashwagandha is the most debated. NIH and Memorial Sloan Kettering advise avoidance, and a 2026 systematic and ethnobotanical review concluded that evidence supporting significant teratogenic or abortifacient activity remains inconclusive. [17] The same abstract says historical reports suggest possible abortifacient effects. [17] The review's author affiliations include a company called Legal Products Group Ltd and Product Safety Labs [17], so independent confirmation matters.One 2026 open-label trial enrolled 70 pregnant women in the second trimester for 12 weeks and reported no adverse events. [18] It was small, not blinded, and short, so it cannot establish safety for pregnancy overall, for the first trimester, or for breastfeeding. Neither source changes the NIH advice to avoid ashwagandha.
Ginseng: older, partly reassuring evidence
A 2008 systematic review found a cohort study in which Panax ginseng was not associated with adverse effects in pregnancy, but it still advised caution, especially in the first trimester, and in lactation. [19] It found no human studies of safety in lactation. [19] Newer guidance from EMA (monograph reference EMA/HMPC/27744/2023) still says use in pregnancy and lactation is not recommended. [5]Postpartum and milk-supply claims
Some herbs are marketed for postpartum recovery or milk supply. For licorice, LactMed says no scientifically valid clinical trials support this use and that licorice usually reduces serum prolactin. [14] For other adaptogens, Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for postpartum or milk-supply benefits.Practical points
- Bring every product to prenatal visits, including powders and teas.
- Check the plant name and part on the label. Extracts and tinctures can contain ethanol; the EMA ginseng monograph calls for ethanol labelling on such products. [5]
- Do not assume a postpartum "blend" is milk-safe: single-ingredient results do not transfer to blends.
- For heavy bleeding or any pregnancy emergency, call 911. For a possible poisoning, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222.
See also ashwagandha in pregnancy, breastfeeding and children, adaptogens for women, and the safety overview.
Frequently asked questions
Is ashwagandha safe in pregnancy?
NIH says it should be avoided during pregnancy and not used while breastfeeding. [2] A 2026 review called evidence of harm to the fetus inconclusive, which is not the same as showing it is safe. [17]
Can I take ginseng while breastfeeding?
LactMed reports no data on ginseng in nursing mothers or infants and notes many sources recommend not using it during lactation. [6]
Is licorice tea safe in pregnancy?
NIH says large amounts of oral licorice extract in pregnancy are unsafe, and EMA says use is not recommended. [12][13] Ask your clinician about any licorice product.
Do adaptogens help with postpartum fatigue?
Proper evidence not found in the sources we read. Fatigue after birth can have medical causes, so mention it to a clinician.
What if I took one before I knew I was pregnant?
Tell your prenatal clinician what the product was and for how long. The sources do not give guidance for individual cases.