Safety and Efficacy of Ayurvedic Formulations in Pregnancy: An Evidence-Based Review of Maternal and Fetal Outcomes

Background: Ayurvedic literature describes pregnancy-specific dietary, behavioural and medicinal care, including Garbhini Paricharya and month-wise regimens. Herbal and traditional products are also used by pregnant women in many settings, often because they are perceived as natural. Natural origin, however, does not establish maternal or fetal safety. Objective: To critically examine classical Ayurvedic concepts relevant to pregnancy and appraise the available evidence on the efficacy, maternal safety and fetal safety of selected herbal interventions and Ayurvedic formulations. Methods: This narrative review framework integrates classical Ayurvedic concepts with selected clinical reviews, pregnancy guidance, toxicological literature and Indian regulatory information. The final journal submission should include a reproducible search log documenting databases, search dates, terms, screening and selection. This manuscript does not claim to be a systematic review. Results: Ayurveda offers a structured framework for maternal nourishment and antenatal care. Some individual herbal interventions, particularly ginger for early-pregnancy nausea, have been evaluated in clinical studies and are mentioned in WHO antenatal guidance, although certainty of evidence is limited. Evidence for many compound Ayurvedic formulations remains inadequate. Important concerns include ingredient variability, inadequate reproductive-toxicity data, herb–drug interactions, contamination and potential exposure to toxic metals. Conclusion: The safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic formulations in pregnancy cannot be generalized across products. Assessment must be formulation-, dose-, route- and gestational-age-specific. Standardization, reproductive toxicology, well-designed clinical research and pharmacovigilance are essential before routine antenatal use..