HERBS THAT COULD PROVE HARMFUL TO MOTHER & BABY DURING BREAST FEEDING
Alder Buckthorn berry and bark (Rhamnus Frangula); closely related to cascara sagrada – purative, laxative intestinal irritant, anthroquinones glycosides excreted in breast milk
Alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria); hepatotoxic phyrrolizidine alkaloilds secreted in breast milk
Aloe (Aloe barbadensis); purgative/cathartic, anthroquinones glycosides excreted in breast milk
Basil (Ocimum basilicum); possible mutogenic effect of the essential oil
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos Uva ursi), potential hepatotoxic hydroquinones secreted in breast milk
Black Cohosh (Cimifugia racemosa); digestive tract irritant, may cause digestive irritation for the baby
Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus); high levels of iodine and possible heavy metal contamination
Borage (Borago officinalis); hepatotoxic pyrrolozidine alkaloids excreted in breast milk
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus); hepatotoxic pyrrolozidine alkaloids excreted in breast milk
Cascara Sagrada bark (Rhamnus purshiana); purative, laxative intestinal irritant, anthroquinones excreted in breast milk
Chaparral (Larrea tridentate), potential toxicity to the infant
Cinchona bark (Cinchona spp.); potential toxicity to the infant
Coltsfoot leaf (Tussilago farfara); hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkoloids excreted in breast milk
Comfrey leaf and root (Symphytum officinale); hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids excreted in breast milk
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis), contains estrogenic compounds
Elecampane (Imula helenium), potential toxicity to the infant
Ephedra/Ma Huang (Ephedra sinica); stimulants excreted in breast milk
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), may increase infant bilirubin levels
Guarana seeds (Paullinia cupana); stimulants secreted in breast milk
Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum); hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids secreted in breast milk
Kava Kava (Piper methysticum); possible passage of pyrones into breast milk, central nervous system depressant
Indian Snakeroot (Rauwolfia serpentine), reserpine alkaloids, potential toxicity to the infant
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra); potential toxicity to the infant
Madder root (Rubia tinctorum); potential toxicity to the infant
Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas); potential toxicity to the infant
Mate leaves (Ilex paraguayensis), stimulants excreted in breast milk
Prickly Ash bark (Zanthoxylum americanum), digestive tract irritant, may cause digestive irritation for the baby
Pulsatilla plant (Anemone pulsatilla), digestive tract irritant, may cause digestive irritation for the baby
Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum); potential toxicity to the infant, may cause digestive irritation for the baby
Senna leaf (Cassia spp.); genotoxic anthraquinones excreted in breast milk
Tobacco (Nicotine tabacum); diminished milk production, excreted in breast milk
Wintergreen leaves (Gaultheria procumbens); potential toxicity to the infant
Wormwood (Artemis absinthium); potential neurotoxins excreted in breast milk
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