Lagundi Safety in Pregnancy
Lagundi (Vitex negundo) should be avoided during pregnancy due to insufficient safety data and potential risks associated with plants in the Vitex genus, which have documented hormonal effects and uterine stimulant activity.
Evidence Against Use
The available evidence strongly suggests avoiding Lagundi during pregnancy:
Vitex species (including Vitex agnus-castus, a closely related plant) have theoretical estrogenic and progesteronic activity, uterine stimulant properties, and emmenagogue effects based on in vitro studies and expert opinion 1
Herbal medicines lack rigorous scientific studies demonstrating safety during pregnancy, and the Teratology Society has explicitly stated that it should not be assumed they are safe for the embryo or fetus 2
Medicinal plants contain phytochemicals that can cross the placenta, induce uterine contractions, cause hormonal imbalances, and potentially result in abortion or congenital malformations 3
Critical Safety Concerns
Vitex agnus-castus (chastetree, in the same genus as Lagundi) is specifically listed among medicinal plants that should be avoided during pregnancy due to potential abortifacient and teratogenic activity 3
The active ingredients in plant extracts are chemicals similar to purified medications and have the same potential to cause serious adverse effects, despite public perception that they are "gentle and safe" 2
Poor quality control and lack of standardization in herbal products create additional unpredictable risks during pregnancy 2
Alternative Management for Respiratory Issues
For pregnant women with respiratory conditions, evidence-based alternatives are available:
Inhaled medications for asthma (salbutamol, budesonide) have been used for many years without documented adverse fetal effects, while uncontrolled respiratory disease poses well-documented risks 4, 5
The risk of undertreated respiratory disease resulting in maternal hypoxia has well-described adverse effects on the fetus that far exceed medication risks 4
Penicillins and cephalosporins are the safest antibiotic classes for bacterial respiratory infections during pregnancy 6
Clinical Recommendation
Women of childbearing age taking Lagundi should discontinue use when planning pregnancy or immediately upon discovering pregnancy 1
Healthcare providers should counsel patients that "natural" does not equal safe, and that lack of evidence is not evidence of safety 2
For respiratory symptoms during pregnancy, use evidence-based treatments with established safety profiles rather than herbal remedies with unknown risks 4, 5