Uso de plantas medicinales durante el embarazo: revisión sistemática de prácticas, beneficios percibidos y riesgos maternofetales
Use of medicinal plants during pregnancy: a systematic review of practices, perceived benefits, and maternal-fetal risks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56712/latam.v7i3.6123Palabras clave:
plantas medicinales, embarazo, seguridad maternofetal, atención prenatal, farmacovigilanciaResumen
El uso de plantas medicinales durante el embarazo sigue siendo una práctica habitual en distintos contextos culturales. Sin embargo, la idea de que un producto es seguro por ser natural no siempre coincide con la evidencia científica disponible. Esta revisión sistemática tuvo como objetivo analizar las formas de consumo, los beneficios percibidos, los posibles riesgos maternofetales y sus implicaciones para la atención prenatal. Se realizó una búsqueda estructurada en PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, Biblioteca Virtual en Salud y Google Scholar. Se incluyeron publicaciones en español, inglés y portugués difundidas entre enero de 2016 y junio de 2026, además de documentos institucionales y estudios previos relevantes para contextualizar los resultados. La síntesis cualitativa principal reunió 18 publicaciones recientes. Los hallazgos muestran que la prevalencia varía entre regiones y que la comunicación con el personal sanitario continúa siendo limitada. Las plantas se utilizan principalmente para aliviar náuseas, malestar digestivo, síntomas respiratorios y ansiedad, así como para prepararse para el parto. El jengibre cuenta con el respaldo más consistente para el alivio de náuseas y vómitos cuando se usa con prudencia y supervisión profesional. En contraste, la evidencia sobre manzanilla, hoja de frambuesa, hinojo, regaliz, ruda y preparados concentrados es limitada, heterogénea o desfavorable. Se concluye que la atención prenatal debe incorporar preguntas específicas, registro clínico y consejería respetuosa sobre la especie utilizada, la dosis, la preparación, la frecuencia y el trimestre de exposición. La falta de evidencia suficiente no puede asumirse como una garantía de seguridad.
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Derechos de autor 2026 Jacqueline Evelyn Ayala Cangas, Paola Andrea Sarmiento Muñoz, Nayeli Fernanda Ayala Cangas, Viviana Jaqueline Garzón Enríquez
Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución 4.0.
