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Is This Herb Safe for Nursing Moms?

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Herbal safety for nursing mothers

Y

Yarrow
Yellow Dock
Yellow Ginseng
Yerba maté		  


Yarrow

Has been used to decrease milk supply for moms who have oversupply or are weaning.

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Yellow Dock

No adverse effects have been reported for nursing moms when used in small amounts, but one source recommends that this herb not be used by pregnant or nursing women, young children, or individuals with severe liver or kidney disease since comprehensive safety studies of yellow dock have not been performed. May cause mild diarrhea or loose stools in some people. Not recommended for use by persons with a history of kidney stones. More general info at HealthNotes, The Natural Pharmacist and WebMD.

 

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Yerba Maté (Ilex paraguariensis)

This herb is a popular tea in South America. It contains caffeine (0.3-2.0%), and is a stimulant and a diuretic. The American Herbal Products Association notes that this herb is not recommended for excessive or long-term use. VirtualNutritionist.com notes:

"Excessive consumption of maté may lead to nervousness, and dehydration from its diuretic action. Large doses may cause nausea. Epidemiologists have noticed an association between maté drinking and an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus and kidney. Researchers are unsure, however, what part other factors, including the extremely hot temperature of the beverage that some maté drinkers prefer, tobacco use, and consumption of alcohol and red meat, may play in the increased cancer risk."

More information:

 

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Disclaimer: Most herbal treatments have not been thoroughly researched, particularly in regard to lactation. Herbs are drugs, and some caution is necessary. I am presenting this data as is, without any warranty of any kind, express or implied, and am not liable for its accuracy nor for any loss or damage caused by a user's reliance on this information.

Page last modified: 03/03/2005
Written: 7/23/1998

Disclaimer: All material on this website is provided for educational purposes only, although every effort is made to provide accurate and up-to-date information. Unless otherwise noted, the articles at this website are not written by doctors or other health care professionals. If you are concerned about your health, or that of your child, consult with your health care provider regarding the advisability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your individual situation.
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