Using Herbs While Breastfeeding

Something I've been doing a little research on is the use of different herbs while breastfeeding. I thought I would go ahead and post what I have and then I can always edit later to add more information if I look into some of these other herbs listed. As you can see, some of these herbs I've looked up a good bit of information on, others not so much. On a few (fennel in particular) I've also included information I've found about using essential oils of that herb while breastfeeding.

Alfalfa

• General: may increase milk supply.

Barley

• General: may increase milk supply.

Basil (sweet)

• General: may increase milk supply.

Blessed Thistle

• General: may increase milk supply.

Chickweed

• can decrease milk supply, avoid use while breastfeeding. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/

Dandilion

• General: may increase milk supply.

Fennel

Bitter Fennel Essential Oil (EO) Information

Sweet Fennel EO Information

• General: may increase milk supply and fat content of milk.
• Fennel is a purported glactogogue and is included in some propritary mixtures promoted to increase milk supply. No scientifically valid clinical trials support this use, although one old, small study found and increase in milk volume and fat content with fennel therapy. Source: http://www.drugs.com/breastfeeding/fennel.html
• We do not recommend using fennel essential oil (EO) to increase milk supply as the EO is not recommended as safe for babies and children under 5 years of age... Fennel (bitter), Fennel (sweet)Foeniculum vulgare - avoid using (all routes) on children under 5. Source: http://www.learningabouteos.com/index.php/2014/02/07/essential-oils-and-children/
• Fennel herb... can be used to increase mother's milk supply... passes through breastmilk to help baby's digestion and relieve symptoms of colic... can be used in combination with other herbs such as fenugreek, alfalfa,nettles, and blessed thistle... should be used in moderation since too much might actually cause decrease in milk supply... do not use fennel essential oil on small children. Source: http://breastfeeding.about.com/od/milksupplyproblems/a/Fennel.htm
• Brochure recommends keeping Fennel essential oil out of the reach of children. Source: http://www.doterratools.com/documents/Fennel_Essential_Oil_Product_Information_Page.pdf
• Fennel Essential Oil, not to be used on children under 5 years. Not to be used by breastfeeding women. Source: Essential Oil Safety second edition by Robert Tisserand (see images above).

Fenugreek Seed

• General: may increase milk supply.
• Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) appears to be the herb that is most often used to increase milk supply. It has been reported to be an excellent galactagogue for some mothers, and has been used as such for centuries. The few studies that have been done have had mixed results.  Mothers generally notice an increase in production 24-72 hours after starting the herb, but it can take two weeks for others to see a change. Some mothers do not see a change in milk production when taking fenugreek.  Dosages of less than 3500 mg per DAY have been reported to produce no effect in many women.  Fenugreek is a basic ingredient of curry powder.  Fenugreek is considered safe for nursing moms when used in moderation and is on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s GRAS list.  Fenugreek is in the same family with peanuts and chickpeas, and may cause an allergic reaction in moms who are allergic to these things. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/fenugreek/
• Fenugreek has been used in a number of geographical regions worldwide as a galactogogue to increase milk supply, and is included in numerous proprietary mixtures promoted to increase milk supply. Evidence for a galactogogue effect is mostly anecdotal. A limited number of published studies of low to moderate quality have found mixed results for a galactogogue effect for fenugreek. Source: http://www.drugs.com/breastfeeding/fenugreek.html

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

• can decrease milk supply, avoid use while breastfeeding. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/

Jasmine

• Fresh crushed jamsine is used to decrease milk supply. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/
• Jasmine flowers show to decrease milk supply. Source: http://www.everythingessential.me/HealthConcerns/BreastFeeding.html#page=page-7
• can decrease milk supply. Sorce: http://breastfeeding.about.com/od/howdoesbreastfeedingwork/a/Factors-That-Can-Influence-Your-Breast-Milk-Supply.htm

Lemon Balm

• can decrease milk supply, avoid use while breastfeeding. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/
• http://www.drugs.com/breastfeeding/lemon-balm.html

Licorice

• General: may increase milk supply.
• Licorice is a purported glactogogue, and is included in some asian propritary mixtures to increase milk supply; however, no scientifically valid clinical trails support this use. In fact, licorace usually reduces serum prolactin, which might decrease milk production in the early stages of lactation. Source: http://www.drugs.com/breastfeeding/licorice.html

Milk Thistle

• General: may increase milk supply.
• Milk thistle is a purported galactogogue, and is included in some proprietary mixtures promoted to increase milk supply; however, no scientifically valid clinical trials support this use. Although a study on the high potency purified milk thistle component, silymarin, indicated some galactagogue activity, this does not necessarily imply activity of milk thistle itself. Source: http://www.drugs.com/breastfeeding/milk-thistle.html

Nettle 

• General: may increase supply.

Oregano

• can decrease milk supply, avoid use while breastfeeding. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/
• can decrease milk supply. Sorce: http://breastfeeding.about.com/od/howdoesbreastfeedingwork/a/Factors-That-Can-Influence-Your-Breast-Milk-Supply.htm

Parsley

• can decrease milk supply, avoid use while breastfeeding. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/
• can decrease milk supply. Sorce: http://breastfeeding.about.com/od/howdoesbreastfeedingwork/a/Factors-That-Can-Influence-Your-Breast-Milk-Supply.htm

Peppermint

• General: can decrease milk supply, avoid use while breastfeeding.
• Pepperming essential oil has been usd traditionally for decreasing milk supply. Pepperming tea is a very weak form of peppermint and only large amounts (quarts) would be expected to decrease milk supply [for some women]. Some women have sucessfully used strong pepperming candies (for example, Altoids Curiously Strong Peppermints) for decreasing milk supply. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/
• can decrease milk supply. Sorce: http://breastfeeding.about.com/od/howdoesbreastfeedingwork/a/Factors-That-Can-Influence-Your-Breast-Milk-Supply.htm

Periwinkle Herb (vinca minor)

• can decrease milk supply, avoid use while breastfeeding. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/

Rhodiola Rosea

• General: avoid use while breastfeeding as there isn't enough evidence to prove it's safe.
• One should not take Rhodiola while pregnant or breast-feeding as the risks to pregnant women and nursing mothers have not been studied enough to know for certain if there is a potential hazardous interaction. Source: http://www.safealternativemedicine.co.uk/rhodiolaroseaandanti-aging.html
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information about the safety of taking Rhodiola if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Source: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-883-rhodiola%20(roseroot).aspx?activeingredientid=883&activeingredientname=rhodiola+%28roseroot%29
• To date, the medical literature has not reported any adverse effects related to foetal development during pregnancy or to infants who are breast-fed. Yet little is known about the use of this dietary supplement while pregnant or breast-feeding. Therefore, it is recommended that you inform your healthcare practitioner of any dietary supplements you are using while pregnant or breast-feeding. Source: http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-rhodiola.html

Sage

• can decrease milk supply, avoid use while breastfeeding. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/
• can decrease milk supply. Sorce: http://breastfeeding.about.com/od/howdoesbreastfeedingwork/a/Factors-That-Can-Influence-Your-Breast-Milk-Supply.htm

Slippery Elm

• "do not take slippery elm without first talking to your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby. It is also not known whether slippery elm with harm a nursing infant." Source: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/slippery-elm.html
• "Scientists think slippery elm is safe in pregnancy and during breastfeeding, but no scientific studies have been done to confirm this." Source: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/slippery-elm

Sorrel (rumex acetosa)

• can decrease milk supply, avoid use while breastfeeding. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/

Spearmint

• can decrease milk supply, avoid use while breastfeeding. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/

Stinging Nettels

• can decrease milk supply, avoid use while breastfeeding. Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/

Yarrow

• can decrease milk supply, avoid use while breastfeeding. Read more here: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/
• can decrease milk supply. Sorce: http://breastfeeding.about.com/od/howdoesbreastfeedingwork/a/Factors-That-Can-Influence-Your-Breast-Milk-Supply.htm

Find information on herbs:

• http://www.nyrnaturalnews.com/
• https://www.organicfacts.net/
• https://www.pinterest.com/HerbalAcademyNE/