Is artemisia annua extract safe during pregnancy?

Pregnancy-Safe Alternatives to artemisia annua extract | VeriMom

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See also

• Is artemisia annua extract safe for babies?
• What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to artemisia annua extract?

Frequently asked questions

Is artemisia annua extract safe during pregnancy?

Artemisia annua extracts can contain artemisinin-class compounds, which produce severe embryotoxicity and developmental effects in multiple animal species; WHO and systematic reviews cite animal embryotoxicity/teratogenicity for artemisinin derivatives and advise caution in early pregnancy. There is no EU Annex II/III ban or harmonised CLP for the botanical extract itself, but the demonstrated animal reproductive toxicity of artemisinin (a likely component) justifies a 'suspected' reproductive hazard. (Sources: WHO nonclinical overview; systematic reviews and PubMed reviews).

Is artemisia annua extract safe while breastfeeding?

Direct data on transfer of Artemisia annua extract or artemisinin into human milk are limited. Given the known animal embryo/foetal effects for artemisinin derivatives, a theoretical/class-based concern exists for breastfeeding exposure (precautionary), but there is insufficient direct evidence of harm via breastmilk in humans. Exposure from topical cosmetic use is expected to be low but measurable. (Sources: WHO review; clinical reviews summarising limited human/breastfeeding data).

Is artemisia annua extract safe for baby skin?

No infant-specific safety studies for topical Artemisia annua extract were found. Because the extract may contain artemisinin-class molecules that have demonstrated systemic embryotoxic mechanisms (affecting primitive erythroblasts and angiogenesis) and because infant skin has higher absorption per kg, the hazard and mechanistic concern are carried over from adult data (h=2, m=2) while exposure is increased by one category for infants (e increased). There is no evidence (e.g., harmonised CLP or EU ban) specific to cosmetic topical use to lower this concern. (Sources: WHO, systematic reviews, CosIng/EU listings, EWG).

How does VeriMom score artemisia annua extract?

VeriMom scores artemisia annua extract at 40/100 (medium risk) based on EU CosIng status, ECHA hazard classifications, and peer-reviewed PubMed studies. Our scoring pipeline is fully transparent.

What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to artemisia annua extract?

See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to artemisia annua extract based on similar function and a no-known-risks safety band.