# Herbal products use during pregnancy and postpartum: study of consumption and user profile in Catalonia

## TL;DR

This study explores the use of herbal products during pregnancy and postpartum in Catalonia, finding high consumption rates and varied user profiles.

## Contribution

The study provides the first data on herbal product use among pregnant and postpartum women in Catalonia and Spain.

## Key findings

- Herbal product consumption rates in Catalonia are higher than in other European countries.
- Ginger, chamomile, and thyme were the most commonly consumed herbal products.
- Consumption patterns varied by pregnancy trimester and were influenced by perceptions of herbal remedies over conventional medicines.

## Abstract

The prevalence of herbal products (HPs) consumption among pregnant and postpartum women, the factors driving their use or the main sources of recommendation have never been studied in Spain or Catalonia. Investigating its prevalence of use during critical phases of development is crucial for providing guidance to health professionals.

A validated questionnaire, containing general data on socio-demographic status, lifestyle, maternal health data and its association with HP consumption, was performed in online personal interviews among women living in Catalonia between pregnancy week 22 and postpartum month 9.

We identified a higher percentage of HPs consumption compared to other European countries, while the 5 most consumed products were similar to the products described to be consumed by pregnant women in other countries. The most frequently consumed HPs were ginger (28%), chamomile (9%), thyme (7%), rooibos (6%), cranberry (4%), and raspberry leaf (4%), and we identified specific temporal patterns of consumption for several of them, depending on the trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore, we found a significant relationship between women consuming oral HPs and the opinion that “pregnant women should preferably consume herbal remedies rather than conventional medicines”.

We provide evidence that women consuming HPs during pregnancy are not defined by a specific profile and therefore, healthcare professionals should be aware that any woman could potentially consume HPs during this period.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-025-05008-4.