There are generally two concerns with herbal tea: first the plants it is made of
and second, the preparation of the tea and the quantity taken!

An infusion of five minutes will increase the potency tenfold! And then if
you drink many large cups...you could suffer some side effects. We should
also know that if you go to an herbalist, buy dry plants and make your own
infusion that way, the potency is also more dangerous then if you simply buy
herbal teas that use the herbs for essence only! E-mail me if you need to
know some of the brands.

Fenugreek does not seem to have any active principles, but many plants
contained in Mother's tea do! Mother's tea is a blend of fennel seeds,
coriander seeds, chamomille flowers, lemongrass, borage leaves, blessed
thisle leaves, star anise, comfrey leaves and fenugreek seeds. Many of these
plants have active principles, and comfrey leaves have been banned in Canada
and in Germany. The leaves have been associated with venoocclusive disease
and hepatotoxicity. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and they have been
responsible for several deaths due to liver failure.

We also need to know which part of the plant is less toxic or less active in
its principle. In some plants, you can use the leaves without any problems,
but you can suffer a severe case of toxicity if you use the root!!!

I feel we need to refer mothers to herb specialists if we want to suggest
using herbs, unless we are certain of its safety. Also, we should remember
that these teas are never to be given directly to the infant!!!

You can find more info on page 344-48 in Dr. Lawrence latest edition.
Dany Gauthier IBCLC
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Montreal, Canada
Tel: 514-923-3792
Fax:514-923-3802