Hi Laurie and lactnetters,
Re: "breastfeeding herbs" from Midwifery Today. Borage contains toxic
pyrrolizidine alkaloids, albeit in small amounts, but not a plant
constituent that one can consume "freely". The German government currently
recommends consumption of toxic PAs ( e.g. comfrey especially the root,
borage leaf but not seed oil) be severely restricted ( parts per million per
day - sorry cannot lay hands on exact amounts here but TINY.). They further
considers consumption of any amount of PAs when pregnant or breastfeeding as
contraindicated ( there is reason to believe infants more sensitive to
hepatotoxic effects). I would eat a few borage leaves added to my summer
salads and not worry about it too much. But then I am not pregnant nor
breastfeeding an infant.

Suggestion of adding "mints" to make hops taste better - moms on the edge,
supply-wise, may wish to avoid peppermint. (Spearmint does not contain
significant amounts of menthol, a plant component associated with lowering
supply.) Many herbalists consider hops a herb that may be useful in limited
amounts ( e.g. 1 cup tea per day) yet describe it as "harsh".  The taste is
indeed best appreciated in beer or stout. Hops has some interesting
phytoestrogenic compounds and known sedative effects. Hops is incorrectly
spelled as Humulus luppulus - correct: Humulus lupulus L. ( L. denotes the
plant was named by Linnaeus).

For those reading the Midwifery Today email,  blessed thistle is incorrectly
names as Carbenia benedicta. ( do not know any plant called Carbenia). The
correct and ever-current botanical name is Cnicus benedictus L., another
plant named by Linnaeus.)

Cheers,
Sheila

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

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