Herbal remedies can be used soothe a variety of aches and pains, especially for the woman who has just had a baby. In addition, there are herbs that can actually help the process of breastfeeding, whether they are used in a herbal compress to soothe sore nipples during breastfeeding or whether they are used to help to increase a woman’s breast milk supply. In fact, herbs like alfalfa, fenugreek, and blessed thistle are some of the very best ways to increase a woman’s supply of breast milk. Women who are not producing quite enough breast milk may benefit from these particular herbs. Along these lines, there are even herbs that can help to decrease a woman’s supply of breast milk when she is weaning her baby. Still, there are certain herbs that you should avoid while breastfeeding.

In all actuality, it is those herbs that decrease your milk supply that are the first category of herbs that you should avoid while breastfeeding. These herbs can include things like sage, black walnut, lemon balm, oregano, thyme, spearmint, peppermint, periwinkle, sorrel, yarrow, chickweed, and herb robert. While these herbs are wonderful in helping with oversupply of breast milk while you are weaning, they can decrease your breast milk too much while you are breastfeeding, making it possible that your baby will not get enough breast milk for himself or herself.

There are other herbs that you should avoid while breastfeeding as well. These are herbs that may actually be harmful to you or to your baby. Some of the herbs that may be harmful to you or your baby while breastfeeding can include wormwood, bladderwrack, elecampane, Chapparal, rhubarb, star anise, buckthorn, coltsfoot, kava-kava, uva ursi, and indian snakeroot.

As always, if you have a concern about avoiding certain herbs while breastfeeding, you should speak with your health care provider and your herbal expert.

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