Barbara - interesting thoughts on herbs. Overall, while herbs are legally
food supplements in the USA, ethically they are medicines and information
given on them should be as reliable and complete as possible - they are
pharmacologically active ( the therapeutic dose).
Check Breastfeeding Abstracts Nov 1997 for essay on herbs and breastfeeding -
I stand by the resources listed as reliable sources of information.
(References following are quoted in full in this article.)
Have ethnobotanical sources that consider both licorice root and anise to be
lactogenic. If this mom has oversupply problem, then perhaps there's a
connection here??? Herbalist may be assuming that lactogenic herbs must be
"good" for any breastfeeding mom. Why IS she taking those herbs?
Licorice (liquorice) root ( Glycyrrhiza glabra and other spp., legume family
again ) has been found efficaceous for upper GI catarrh and stomach/duodenal
ulcers by German Comm E. It contains glycyrrhizin and other related
triterpenoid saponins which have well-documented phytoestrogenic and notable
mineralcorticoid effects.
Yes, large doses of licorice root, especially when taken chronically (not
recommended for more than 4-6 weeks by German Comm E ), will raise blood
pressure. It can also cause headache, lethargy, sodium and water retention
and potassium loss when taken excessively; in extreme cases pseudo-
aldosteronism (Bisset). Pre-existing hypertension is a contraindication for
use, as is cholestatic liver disorders, liver cirrhosis, hypokalemia,
pregnancy (Comm E), also diabetes ( Herb Safety Handbook) and cardiac
conditions ( Newall et al).
Will interact to increase K loss when taken with other drugs ( e.g. thiazide
and loop diuretics), so could increase digitalis sensitivity.
German Comm E dose: 5-15 g. root corresponding to 200-800 mg. glycyrrizin (
usually taken in divided doses TID). This dose range very consistently given
over various texts ( for once!). Obviously a standardized product ( which is
available) will be a better guide to dosing as one can calculate the intake of
glycyrrizin more precisely.
For true licorice lovers: Duke considers a daily "safe" dose of true licorice
candy to be 5 grams ( containing up to 100 mg glycyrrhizin ( small!). "It's
hard to stop when something tastes that good, but you'll just have to control
yourself."
The common licorice candy in the US usually does not contain glycyrrhizin,
the flavour is anise oil containing (trans-)anethole - anise, fennel, dill all
contain trans-anethole and is the "suspected" lactogenic component of these
herbs. Some people are allergic to anethole.
Here is the syllabus address for a course taught in 1997 at the U. Maryland by
Jim Duke, ethnobotanist extrordinaire. Food for thought, and educational as
regards the science of herbs and how to regard them variously as foods,
medicines, or poisons. Check out essays on toxic plants, evolutionary thoughts
on herbs, as well as herbs vs medication decision-making:
http://www.inform.umd.edu/EdRes/Colleges/LFSC/life_sciences/.plant_biology/MED
ICAL_BOTANY/index.html
Sheila Humphrey BSc(Botany) RN IBCLC
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