Echinacea is the name of a species of flowering plant belonging to the daisy group and is known to have medicinal value (1). If you plan to use Echinacea while breastfeeding, read the post for more information. The leaves and roots of the Echinacea plants are used for medicinal purposes. It is a common herbal ingredient in cold, flu, skin infections, and inflammation medicines. Read on for more information on Echinacea, its uses, benefits, safety during breastfeeding, and side effects.
Is It Safe To Have Echinacea While Breastfeeding?
There is little scientific data about the safety and efficacy of echinacea during lactation. Yet, its use under expert guidance in recommended doses is not considered harmful while nursing (2). There is limited evidence to suggest that compounds found in echinacea pass into breast milk. Echinacea is available as herbal and traditional medicine products like herbal tea, juice, extracts, capsules, and tablets, and dietary supplements. If you want to use any of these echinacea preparations or products while nursing, then you should do so only after consultation with an expert in herbal medicine. They can guide you about the safe mode of use and appropriate dosage while nursing (3).
Does Echinacea Decrease Milk Supply?
There is no evidence to suggest that echinacea decreases breast milk production. If you are exploring herbal supplements, including echinacea, to manage (decrease or increase) breast milk production, then seek the advice of a complementary medicine expert.
Possible Uses Of Echinacea
Echinacea is often used for lactation-related issues, such as mastitis, in traditional medicine. Research shows that the ethanolic extract of echinacea contains alkamides, ketoalkenes, caffeic acid derivatives, polysaccharides, glycoproteins, and caftaric acid, which are responsible for its medicinal properties (1). These bioactive compounds exhibit immunomodulatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties (4). Confirming these claims needs more scientific research. Echinacea is used in herbal treatment of the following conditions. The therapeutic effects of echinacea have been documented to be helpful in a few other health conditions, such as gingivitis, canker sores, cracked nipples, wound healing, and vaginitis (12).
Possible Side Effects Of Echinacea While Breastfeeding
Echinacea products are relatively well-tolerated. However, they may exhibit side effects in some cases. The oral or topical use of echinacea while breastfeeding may cause the following side effects (13). These symptoms are majorly observed in the cases of a cross-reaction, especially with other flowers from the Asteraceae family (14). Thus, if you or your breastfeeding baby, are allergic to flowers, such as daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and ragweed, then avoid using echinacea.
