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Home > Herbs and Breastfeeding > Is This Herb Safe for Nursing Moms?A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Herbal safety for nursing mothers
Other names for this herb are Echinacea Angustifolia, Echinacea Purpurea, American Cone Flower, Black Susans, and Snakeroot. In normal doses, Echinacea is among the herbs generally recognized as safe for pregnant and lactating mothers. Many people take echinacea, which is reported to boost your immune system (among other things). According to Hale, purified echinacea extract is relatively nontoxic even at high doses. Although no studies have been done on its transfer into human milk or its effect on lactation, no known contraindications to its use during nursing exist other than allergy to the plant family Asteracea (sunflowers). Despite the fact that the dosage has not been standardized and that preparations are frequently adulterated, no serious side effects have been reported in more than 2.5 million prescriptions per year in Germany and more than a century of use in the United States. The recommended duration of treatment with Echinacea should not exceed 8 weeks during any course of treatment due to potential liver toxicity and tachyphyaxis. Patients with conditions such as tuberculosis, HIV infection, or autoimmune diseases should not use Echinacea. More info here. [top]
This is reported safe for nursing moms. Elder flower tea is used during episodes of acute upper respiratory infection. No known side effects or contraindications are known. [top]
The American Herbal Products Association Botanical Safety Index indicates that this is not to be used during pregnancy or while nursing. [top]
Ephedra, also known as Ma Huang, should not be used by nursing moms. Ma Huang is the dried stem of Ephedra sinica and has been used in Chinese medicine for 5,000 years. The alkaloids of ma huang, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, are found in many over-the-counter cold and asthma medications (synthetic form) and dietary supplements (botanical form). It is a close analog of methamphetamine. Ephedra is a potent central nervous system stimulant: it speeds the thyroid and increases the nervous system and the rate of metabolism of food and fats. It can cause a variety of problems, including uncontrolled sweating, convulsions, heart palpitations and other cardiac dysfunction, neurologic involvement, miscarriage, heart attack and death. For nursing moms it can cause (in addition to all of the above) lactation supression, colic in babies, and a number of isolated "other" reported side effects. The lack of dose standardization in many herbal preparations makes this a real risk. It is contraindicated in pregnancy, as it is a uterine stimulant and can cause miscarriage. It is contraindicated in patients taking MAO inhibitors and should be avoided by anyone with glaucoma, hypertension, coronary thrombosis, diabetes, kidney disease, who is pregnant, is lactating, or who has an eating disorder. More information:
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Considered safe for nursing moms. Reported useful for nursing moms who are trying to conceive. Also reported useful for treating postpartum depression, sore nipples during ovulation, PMS, fibrocystic breasts, Raynaud's syndrome and plugged ducts. EPO is derived from Oenothera biennis seeds and is an excellent source of essential fatty acids and their more complex metabolites GLA ( gamma linoleic acid). The suggested dosages that I have seen vary from 500-6500 mg per day for various problems: 500 mg per day has been suggested for breastfeeding moms with sore nipples during ovulation; 1000 mg 3 times a day for PMS or fibrocystic breasts. According to Hale, overt toxicity of this product appears to be quite low. No pediatric concerns have been reported. The Botanical Safety Handbook regards EPO as "safe when used appropriately." Overdoses of essential fatty acids have been known to provoke gall bladder attacks. [top]
Page last modified:
03/03/2005
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