Well, now, I just happened to have bought a new book. It's called The
Nursing Mother's Herbal and it's written by Sheila Humphrey, BSc, RN,
IBCLC. I believe she's on L'net and the BFHerbs list.

She does say there are no published studies, only anecdotal evidence of
lowered supply when moms used things like peppermint tea, peppermint breath
mints. The BFHerbs discussion list noted some moms who had to stop eating
peppermint Altoids. I have heard a similar report from a mom who became
fixated on candy canes dring one Christmas season. In the book, Sheila
notes that different women respond differently to peppermint and other
antigalactagogues. There has even been a rebound effect when mom stopped
consuming it.

Personal opinion: like sage, peppermint is a food. As with any food, all
things in moderation. Some women can drink a pot of coffee every day and
see no diff in baby's behavior. Others drink 1/2 cup and baby becomes
hyper. I have observed moms being able to control overproduction with sage
- usually capsules because the tea tasts awful. I've heard reports of low
supply after Thanksgiving & found that mom had dinner at gramma's house and
gramma goes bonkers with sage in the turkey stuffing. Time & nursing &
staying away from sage resolved the issue.

You gotta read the book. It's paperback and VERY affordable.
No, I have no financial interest in the book and to my knowledge have never
met Sheila Humphrey in person.

Phyllis


> I was discussing the use of peppermint for diminishing milk supply with a
> homebirth midwife friend of mine today and she asked me for the
references.  I
> searched the archives and haven't found a reference listed thus far, so
wondered
> if someone could steer me in the right direction.
> Thanks!
> Carol Chamblin, RN, MS, IBCLC
> Breast 'N Baby Lactation Services, Inc.
> St. Charles, IL
>
>              ***********************************************


--- Phyllis Adamson, IBCLC, RLC
--- Glendale, AZ, USA
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