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Can Echinacea Affect My Chances of Getting Pregnant?

Is it okay to take echinacea while I’m trying to get pregnant?
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While echinacea may be your go-to herb on days when you feel like you’re getting a cold, there’s no evidence that it can help improve your odds of getting pregnant. In fact, some research has shown that echinacea (along with St. John’s wort and ginkgo biloba) can actually have a negative impact on your fertility. One study from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California found that high doses of the herbs may damage reproductive cells and prevent sperm from fertilizing eggs. If you feel like you’re getting the sniffles, a small dose of echinacea probably won’t do much harm, but avoid taking large amounts of it when you’re trying to conceive, and talk to your doctor about taking the herb if you are already pregnant.

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Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

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