http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1815.asp

Herbs Contraindicated in Lactation

• Aloe
• Buckthorn bark
• Buckthorn berry
• Cascara Sagrada bark
• Coltsfoot leaf
• Senna leaf, Peppermint oil, and Caraway oil*FC
• Kava Kava
• Petasites root
• Indian snakeroot
• Rhubarb root
• Senna leaf
• Uva Ursi

*F.C. = Fixed Combinations

The Complete German Commission E Monographs, Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines, Blumenthal, Busse, Goldberg, Gruenwald, Hall, Klein, Riggins and Rister, The American Botanical Council, Austin, Texas, Published in cooperation with Integrative Medicine Communications, Boston, Massachusetts, 1998.

Source: Botanical Safety Handbook, editor, Michael McGuffin, published by CRC Press, American Herbal Products Association.

http://www.growinglife.com/herbalsafety.htm

Lactating/Breastfeeding:

A

Amalaki: compatible

Ambrosia: compatible

Angelica: compatible

Arnica: compatible

Ashwagandha: compatible

Astragalus: compatible

B

Bayberry: compatible

Black Cohosh: caution

Black Walnut: compatible

Blue Cohosh: compatible

Blue Flag: compatible

Blue Vervain: compatible

Buchu: compatible

Bugleweed: caution

Burdock: compatible

C

California Poppy: compatible

Cascara Sagrada: caution

Catnip: compatible

Cats Claw: compatible

Cayenne: compatible

Chamomile: compatible

Chaparral: compatible

Chaste Tree Berry: compatible

Chelidonium: compatible

Cleavers: compatible

Clove: compatible

Comfrey: caution

Coptis: compatible

Cotton Root: compatible

Cramp Bark: compatible

D

Damiana: compatible

Dandelion: compatible

Devil's Claw: compatible

Devil's Club: compatible

Dong Quai: compatible

E

Echinacea: compatible

Elderberry: compatible

Elecampane: caution

Ephedra: caution

Eyebright: compatible

F

Fennel: compatible

Fenugreek: compatible

Feverfew:compatible

Fo-Ti: compatible

Fringe Tree: compatible

G

Garlic: caution

Garrya: compatible

Gelsemium: caution

Gentian: compatible

Ginger: compatible

Ginkgo: compatible

Ginseng: compatible

Goldenseal: compatible

Gotu Kola: compatible

Gravel Root: compatible

Green Tea: compatible

H

Hawthorn: compatible

Hops: compatible

Horehound: compatible

Horsechestnut: compatible

Horsetail: compatible

Hyssop: compatible

J

Jewelweed: compatible
Juniper: compatible

K

Kava Kava: caution

Kudzu: compatible

L

Lavender: compatible

Lemon Balm: compatible

Lemon Grass: compatible

Licorice: caution

Lobelia: compatible

Lomatium: compatible

M

Maitake: compatible

Marshmallow: compatible

Meadowsweet: compatible

Milk Thistle: compatible

Motherwort: compatible

Mullein: compatible

Myrrh Gum: compatible

N

Neem: compatible

Nettles: compatible

Night Bl. Cereus: compatible

O

Ocotillo: compatible

Olive Leaf: compatible

Oregano Oil: compatible

Oregon Grape Root: compatible

Osha: compatible

P

Passion Flower: compatible

Pau D'Arco: compatible

Pennyroyal: compatible

Pleurisy: compatible

Poke: compatible

Prickly Ash: compatible

Propolis: compatible

Pulsatilla: caution

Q

Quassia: compatible

R

Red Clover: compatible

Red Raspberry: compatible

Red Root: compatible

Reishi Mushroom: compatible

S

Sarsaparilla: compatible

Saw Palmetto: compatible

Schizandra: compatible

Scullcap: compatible

Sheep Sorrel: compatible

Shepard's Purse: compatible

Shiitake: compatible

Slippery Elm: compatible

Spilanthes: compatible

St. John's Wort: compatible

Stillengea: caution

Suma: compatible

Syrian Rue: caution

T

Thyme: compatible

Turmeric: compatible

U

Usnea: compatible

Uva Ursi: compatible

V

Valerian: compatible

W

White Willow: compatible

Wild Cherry: compatible

Wild Indigo: compatible

Wild Oats: compatible

Wild Yam: compatible

Wormwood: caution

Y

Yarrow: compatible

Yellow Dock: compatible

Yerba Mansa: compatible

Yerba Santa: compatible

Yohimbe: compatible

Yucca: compatible

Herbs and Breastfeeding

References from http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/herbal-ref.html

Conover E, Buehler BA. Use of herbal agents by breastfeeding women may affect infants. Pediatr Ann. 2004 Apr;33(4):235-40.

Sheila Humphry Bsc, RN and Dennis J. McKenna, PhD. Herbs and Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Abstracts: November 1997, Vol 17 pp 11-12.

Frank Nice, DPA, CPHP, Raymond J. Coghlan, Pharm.D. and Brian T. Birmingham, Pharm.D. Herbals and Breastfeeding. U.S. Pharmacist: September 2000, Vol. 25:9

Ruth A. Lawrence, MD. Herbs and Breastfeeding, from the Breastfeeding.com website

Herbal Safety in Lactation and in Pregnancy, list by Annie Furie, RN, IBCLC and Mitch Coven, Medical Herbalist

Galactagogues: Getting More Milk with Herbs by Mechell Turner, M.Ed., IBCLC, CCE, certified herbalist

Increasing Milk Supply by Cheryl Taylor White and Dee Negron (discusses herbal galactagogues)

Literature review of fennel, fenugreek, blessed thistle, nettle and raspberry leaf by Rachel Emma Westfall

Green Pharmacy for Breastfeeding Problems by James A. Duke, Ph.D.

Galactagogues from www.wearsthebaby.com

Herbal Galactagogues from wildroots.com

Useful Herbs When Nursing and Useful Herbs When Weaning (avoid these herbs while nursing!) from Snowbound Herbals

Herbs and Homeopathics for Breastfeeding from the Pregnancy and Parenting Naturally website

Breast Feeding Boosters from the wellmedia.com newsletter

Breastfeeding Pharmacology is the web site of Thomas Hale, Ph.D. Dr. Hale is a renowned Breastfeeding Pharmacologist and the author of Medications and Mothers' Milk.

Lactnet archive search LACTNET is an email list for sharing professional information regarding lactation and case management. A search of the archives is one way to find info on herbs (but you should check the sources of the information you get before using it).

The University of Rochester Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Study Center (716-275-0088) maintains a database of drugs and medications and provides free information to physicians on their use and effects during breastfeeding. Ruth A. Lawrence, MD is the Director of the center.

BirthandBreastfeeding.com is the website of Mechelle Turner, who is an IBCLC and a certified herbalist.