Some Herbs Should Be Avoided by Nursing
Mothers
CHICAGO (Reuters Health) Nov 3 - Two popular herbal remedies for nursing
mothers — fenugreek and comfrey — can pose a health risk to their infants,
according to Dr. Ruth A. Lawrence, who reviewed the use of herbs by
breast-feeding mothers at a presentation during the annual meeting of the
American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Lawrence, ..."many mothers take fenugreek to increase their milk
supply, but there has never been a study to prove that fenugreek increases
milk supply."
While there is no proof of its benefit, Dr. Lawrence said that there "are
data about the risks. Specifically it can cause hypoglycemia in the nursing
mother and it can raise blood pressure." She said that in some infants
fenugreek has been associated with increased "colic and diarrhea."

A lactnetter recently mentioned this and another explained Dr. Lawrence's
conservatism re herbs. This is troubling to me becoz I feel it would be
risky to mention this herb to pts in lite of her cautions (liability issues
for the LC or RN). I always refer the mom to her dr. to discuss whether she
should take ther herb or not. I was aware of possible hypoglycemia,
diarrhea, allergy in the mom. What I want to know is:
1. what is the data and the mechanism whereby this herb raises blood
pressure?
2. will you LCs out there now stop recommending or suggesting this herb or
do so differently?

Laurie Wheeler, RN, MN, IBCLC
Violet Louisiana, s.e. USA

_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at
http://profiles.msn.com.

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html