7 Must-Have Breastfeeding Herbs

Are you wondering which herbs are safe while breastfeeding?

Today I’m going to share my seven favorite botanicals for nursing moms.

But, wait. Always watch for adverse reactions from your infant and small children.

This includes..

• any changes in skin color

• any changes in breathing or temper

• any changes in your skin, digestion, heart rate etc.

All the herbs suggested below are Level 1 or Class A and are considered safe while nursing.

Herbs and Breastfeeding

Here are 7 botanicals you can try.

1. Marshmallow Root  (Althea Officinalis)

   This root is a demulcent and anti-inflammatory; it’s also known to…

   • increase milk supply

   • reduce interstitial cystitis

   • reduce pain from UTI and vulvovaginitis

   It’s also good for:

• chronic diarrhea, constipation, or bloating.

• nutritional deficiencies.

• fatigue.

• headaches.

• skin problems, such as acne, rashes, or eczema.

• The easiest way to consume a marshmallow would be with a tea. Look for a company that has marshmallow root only if you’re struggling with digestive issues postpartum.

2. Oats or milky oat tops (Avena sativa)

• Benefits:

  • nervine- calms your nervous system

  • increases milk supply

  • soothe insomnia

  • nervous exhaustion, stress, tension, and irritability

  • PUPPP The letters PUPPP stand for pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy.

  • In simpler terms, PUPPP rash is a patch of itchy, hive-like bumps that form in the stretch marks on your belly and spread to other parts of your body when you're pregnant

  • A cup of oatmeal every morning may help soothe digestion and increase milk supply!

  • Buy it as a loose-leaf herb or look for a high-quality tea. Be

3. Stinging nettles {urtica dioica}

• filled with vitamins and nutrients - it’s a tonic and diuretic

• It’s also antiallergenic, which means it’s the #1 antihistamine we have available to reduce allergies!

It’s also good for:

• acne, fatigue, anemia, iron-deficiency anemia, menstrual irregularities, pelvic congestion, reduce sugar and caffeine cravings, and prevent osteoporosis and varicosities

• Although it may be contraindicated during pregnancy, many pregnant women have consumed nettles with no reported increase in uterine activity, miscarriage, or malformations in the offspring

Can you take Ashwagandha while breastfeeding?

4. Ashwagandha- {withania somnifera}

Good for:

• adaptogen, sedative, pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, acute and chronic pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, headache, frequent colds, HSV, insomnia, iron-deficiency anemia, mental exhaustion, PCOS, PMS, PPD, PUPP, stress, and stress-related illness

• Caution: possible respiratory depression in excessive doses
  

5. Calendula- {calendula officinalis}

• Benefits:

• antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory

• Good for:

• hemorrhoids, nipple thrush, cracked nipples, postpartum perineal care, vaginal dryness

• allergic sensitivity in patients with latex allergy

“Use externally for any nipple discomfort and to help your skin heal. ”

Chamomile Tea Breastfeeding

6. Chamomile- {matricaria recutita}

Benefits include:

• nervine, anti-inflammatory, carminative, milk sedative, amenorrhea, anxiety, chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, GI/abdominal pain, headache, insomnia, PMS, restlessness,

“Enjoy Chamomile as a tea or tincture at night to help calm you or your babies!”

When breastfeeding, what can you take for a cold?

Are you looking for an herb for the common cold? Echinacea is it!

7. Echinacea - {Echinacea spp.}

Benefits include:

• anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, alternative, lymphatic

• endometriosis, HSV, IC, mastitis, recurring UTIs, URI, vulvovaginitis, HSV

• safe during pregnancy and postpartum

Breastfeeding Herbs to Avoid

• Download it HERE

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Conclusion

Some herbs are safe to take while breastfeeding. Always start with one herb - watch and wait and then add another herb. Start with tea, as it’s more medicinal, then explore tinctures.

If something doesn’t work - don’t throw it away! Save it for when your baby has grown. You never know, you may need it in the middle of the night one day.

xo Tara

Resources

• 1. American Herbal Products Associations; Botanical Safety Handbook ↩

• 2. Hales; Medications and Mother’s Milk ↩

• 3. Kellymom.com - great quick reference ↩

• 4. Bone & Mills: Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy ↩

• 5. Aviva Romm: Botanical Medicine of Women’s Health- Categories from the German Commission E. {see below}Brinker ↩

• 6. Francis: Herbal Contraindications and drug interactions ↩