What herbs are safe to take while nursing?

[Ummy]

Hi

Does anyone know where I can find a list of herbs/remedies that are safe to take while nursing? I wanted to know about milk thistle if it is okay to take or Q10 and Soy Lechtin. Are these okay for the nursing mommies?

Thanks in advance

[PatioGardener]

Dr. Jack Newman recommends lecithin to prevent blocked ducts in nursing mothers, so that one should be safe.

Kellymom has a good resource about herbs: http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/herbal_safety.html

[nashvillemidwife]

Referring to Medications and Mother's Milk by Thomas Hale

Milk Thistle: Category L3 (moderately safe). "No data are available concerning transfer to human milk by some probably transfers. However, it is rather devoid of reported toxicity with only brief GI intolerance and mild allergic reactions."

Coenzyme Q10: Category L3 (moderately safe). "No data are available on levels in milk. However, it is very lipid soluble and has a long plasma half-life: transfer to milk is likely. If one were to assume a milk/plasma ratio of 1.0 and a significant maternal dose of 300 mg/d, then the average daily intake via milk in an infant would be approximately 16% of the weight-adjusted maternal dose. Were these numbers correct, it is not likely that this dose would be overtly toxic to an infant. Although it is relatively non-toxic in adults, there are no data on the relative toxicity of this substance in infants. Most references suggest that pregnant and lactacting women should avoid supplementation with this cofactor."

There is no entry for soy lechtin.

Dr. Hale has an online forum. Only professionals can post, but anyone can read: http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/medi...orumspage.html