Pregnant and lactating women are no strangers to pain, but the usual conventional pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen come with risks to the developing baby. The good news is that some pain-relieving herbal medicines have a long history of safe use in pregnant and lactating women. Listed below are six herbs* for pain relief in pregnancy and lactation.
*The safety of the following herbs depends on using appropriate doses for appropriate time frames, especially during pregnancy. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for individualized advice.
Note on Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Use in Pregnancy
Recent research has raised concerns about frequent or prolonged acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and possible associations with developmental outcomes in children. It’s important for expecting parents to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and to consult their healthcare provider before taking any medication.
To learn more, read this article: Are Over-The-Counter Painkillers Safe?
Turmeric Root (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric contains the potent anti-inflammatory molecule curcumin, which has been measured against conventional medications in randomized controlled trials for joint pain. Turmeric’s pain-relieving strength is comparable to many commonly prescribed NSAIDs. This is usually the first herb that I think of for pain relief during breastfeeding.
Other benefits of turmeric include more energy, better digestion, and immune-supportive activity (1). It is suggested that it may help in pregnancy-related conditions like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and exposure to toxins (2,3,4). As with all of these herbs, speaking with a doctor versed in botanical medicine is important for individualized advice with regards to dosing and timing, especially during pregnancy when doses should reflect amounts in food instead of the high doses found in some supplements. To receive the most benefit from turmeric, it should be taken with a small amount of black pepper, or piperine (derived from black pepper), which improves its absorption.
Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is another potent herb for supporting the inflammatory response and is my favorite herb for providing comfort during pregnancy because of the extensive safety studies done on this herb (5). Research has shown it to be effective for relieving joint and postpartum discomfort. It may also be effective for occasional neuropathic discomfort. Ginger is also well known as an being helpful for occasional nausea, immune health, cold & flu management, and digestive health. New research shows that ginger is good for supporting seasonal allergies.
Note: People with sensitive stomachs don’t always tolerate ginger. This goes for babies, too. Introduce it slowly if breastfeeding or you have a sensitive stomach. However, ginger is a common remedy for infant colic and increasing lactation. It is safe for babies to consume in a remedy or breast milk.
You might like this article, too: Low Allergen Diets: A Guide For Breastfeeding Moms
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
St. John’s wort is a great herb for nerve discomfort. This herb also supports the inflammatory response, the immune system, and is and mood-lifting, and supportive of liver health (6,7,8). Some sources recommend avoiding St. John’s Wort during the first trimester, but others consider it likely safe. As with all these herbs, a discussion with a physician with expertise in botanical medicine is warranted. It’s important to note that St. John’s wort interacts with many medications so caution and expertise are required when combining this herb with other drugs. St. John’s wort can be infused in oil to use externally for pain or can be taken internally in capsule, tea, tincture, homeopathic, or glycerite forms.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm helps to soothe occasional spasms, reduces occasional inflammation, and manages occasional discomfort (9). It is especially good for cramping or tension that is worsened by anxiety or stress. Lemon balm tea is traditionally used for labor after pains and to treat infant colic. It also works well in a tincture or glycerite. As with many herbs, the presumed safety of lemon balm is because of traditional use. Be sure to consult with a qualified professional for guidance.
Rose Hips (Rosa canina)
Rose hips are the beautiful red fruit that roses produce after their petals fall. They are best known as a great source of vitamins and minerals and they feature strongly in many immune fortifying herbal formulas (10). However, rose hips also have a history of use for treating the discomfort of osteoarthritis and low back pain. The presumed safety of rose hips during pregnancy and lactation is based on traditional use because they receive little research attention.
Arnica Montana
Arnica is helpful for joint or muscle discomfort, managing occasional inflammation, and minor injuries when used externally. This herb should not be taken internally unless it is in a highly diluted homeopathic form.
For more information about how to use arnica for topical pain relief, see Arnica Oil For Topical Pain Relief.
Important Safety Notes Re: Herbs For Discomfort In Pregnancy & Lactation
The safety profiles of herbs used for pain relief in pregnancy and lactation depend on using appropriate doses for an appropriate time frame. Consult a health professional with expertise in herbal medicine to find the right dose for you, especially if you’re attempting to manage chronic pain in pregnancy or if you are in your first trimester of pregnancy.
Turmeric, St. John’s wort, and ginger all have the potential to thin blood. Use caution with these herbs near the end of pregnancy to avoid heavy bleeding during labor and delivery. In my practice, I usually have women stop taking most of the above herbs for pain relief at 36 or 37 weeks. Speak with your doctor or midwife for guidance.
Summary
Herbal medicine can offer safe and effective support for occasional discomfort when taken in appropriate doses. Turmeric, ginger, St. John’s wort, lemon balm, rose hips, and arnica are all herbs that have a history of safe use in pregnant and breastfeeding women, however safety studies for some of these herbs have not yet been done. As always, check in with a health professional for individualized advice about the risks and benefits.
updated 10/3/25
References:
- Moghadamtousi, S. Z., Kadir, H. A., Hassandarvish, P., Tajik, H., Abubakar, S., & Zandi, K. (2014). A review on antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity of curcumin. BioMed research international, 2014, 186864. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/186864
- Paultre, K., Cade, W., Hernandez, D., Reynolds, J., Greif, D., & Best, T. M. (2021). Therapeutic effects of turmeric or curcumin extract on pain and function for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review. BMJ open sport & exercise medicine, 7(1), e000935. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000935
- Filardi, T., Varì, R., Ferretti, E., Zicari, A., Morano, S., & Santangelo, C. (2020). Curcumin: Could This Compound Be Useful in Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Complications?. Nutrients, 12(10), 3179. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103179
- Tossetta, G., Fantone, S., Giannubilo, S. R., & Marzioni, D. (2021). The Multifaced Actions of Curcumin in Pregnancy Outcome. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 10(1), 126. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10010126
- Mozafari, S., Esmaeili, S., Momenyan, S., Zadeh Modarres, S., & Ozgoli, G. (2021). Effect of Zingiber officinale Roscoe rhizome (ginger) capsule on postpartum pain: Double-blind randomized clinical trial. Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 26, 105. https://doi.org/10.4103/jrms.JRMS_544_20
- Raziq, N., Saeed, M., Shahid, M., Muhammad, N., Khan, H., & Gul, F. (2016). Pharmacological basis for the use of Hypericum oblongifolium as a medicinal plant in the management of pain, inflammation and pyrexia. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 16, 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1018-z
- Schäfer, W., Wentzell, N., Schink, T., & Haug, U. (2021). Characterization of pregnancies exposed to St. John’s wort and their outcomes: A claims data analysis. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.), 102, 90–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.04.005
- Moretti, M. E., Maxson, A., Hanna, F., & Koren, G. (2009). Evaluating the safety of St. John’s Wort in human pregnancy. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.), 28(1), 96–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2009.02.003
- Naderi Dastjerdi M, Darooneh T, Nasiri M, Moatar F, Esmaeili S, Ozgoli G. Investigating the Effect of Melissa Officinalis on After-Pains: A Randomized Single-Blind Clinical Trial. J Caring Sci. 2019 Sep 1;8(3):129-138. doi: 10.15171/jcs.2019.019. PMID: 31598505; PMCID: PMC6778308.
- Gruenwald, J., Uebelhack, R., & Moré, M. I. (2019). Rosa canina – Rose hip pharmacological ingredients and molecular mechanics counteracting osteoarthritis – A systematic review. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 60, 152958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2019.152958
