Hi, I was asked about an "alkaline greens" supplement by a mother. Unfortunately she was in a car accident and is getting acupuncture to help with the pain, and the acupuncturist recommended this supplement to "reduce inflammation and acidity" in the body.

She is concerned that it might affect her milk supply. The ingredients are "Carrot juice powder, asparagus, barley grass, parsley, kale, apple fiber, apple pectin, broccoli, flax seed, horse tail powder, pumpkin, watercress juice, glycin, citric acid, potasium bi carbonate, licorice dgo (glycyerrhiza glabra) root. All these things in powder form."

One thing leaping out at me is the parsley, as that can reduce supply. I don't know how much parsley the supplement contains. The food ingredients look okay to me, but I know there can be differences between eating a food and taking a supplement made out of it. Some of the others, like horse tail powder, I've never heard of. I did see a question about horsetail in the archives, but for some reason I can't find any of the responses to it.

If anyone knows more about these alkaline greens or if any of the ingredients are incompatible with breastfeeding, I'd really appreciate your wisdom.

Thanks in advance!

Jennifer Sokolow, IBCLC
New York
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