Is Star Anise Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Star Anise? Is Star Anise safe for nursing mother and child? Does Star Anise extracts into breast milk? Does Star Anise has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Star Anise influence milk supply or can Star Anise decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Star Anise lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for Star Anise is 7 out of 8 which is considered Dangerous as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 7 indicates that usage of Star Anise may cause toxic or severe side effects in breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research indicates that Star Anise may cause moderate to high side effects or may affect milk supply in lactating mother.
- Our suggestion is to use safer alternate options rather than using Star Anise .
- Usage of Star Anise is in contradiction to breastfeeding hence if it is must to use Star Anise and there is no better alternative available then breastfeeding shall be stopped permanently or temporarily.
- Score calculated using the DrLact safety Version 1.2 model, this score ranges from 0 to 8 and measures overall safety of drug in lactation. Scores are primarily calculated using publicly available case studies, research papers, other scientific journals and publically available data.
Answer by Dr. Ru: About Star Anise usage in lactation
The fruits of the tree are used. Contains essential oils (anethole), flavonoids and tannins. Allegedly, attributed properties are: antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant, estrogen agonist. Indications from the Commission E of the German Ministry of Health are: anorexia, cough, bronchitis. Anethole is neurotoxic and is excreted into the milk. A high risk of accidental contamination exists with Illicium religiosum (Illicium anisatum, Japanese star anise) which is a substance not fit to be eaten and very toxic It has been withdrawn from the Spanish market in 2000 after several cases of severe poisonings. Estrogen agonists may decrease the production of milk. Product which is totally unnecessary.
Alternate Drugs for Phytotherapy, Systemic Use
Chasteberry(Unsafe)
Chamomile(Safe)
Echinacea(Low Risk)
Alfalfa(Unsafe)
Dong Quai(Low Risk)
Cranberry(Safe)
Licorice(Unsafe)
Rhubarb(Low Risk)
Lavender(Low Risk)
Sweet Briar(Safe)
Barberry(Dangerous)
Carob(Safe)
Common Poppy(Unsafe)
Angelica(Unsafe)
Mugwort(Unsafe)
Edible Burdock(Low Risk)
Box(Unsafe)
Boldo(Unsafe)
Bromelains(Safe)
Calaguala(Safe)
Caralluma(Low Risk)
Carrageen(Low Risk)
Horse Chestnut(Safe)
Blue-Cohosh(Dangerous)
Indian Pennywort(Safe)
Squisandra(Low Risk)
Prickly Pear(Safe)
Black-Cohosh(Unsafe)
Horsetail(Unsafe)
Colocynth Pulp(Dangerous)
Ergot Fungus(Dangerous)
Ephedra(Unsafe)
Steviol(Safe)
Eucalyptus(Unsafe)
Eyebright(Safe)
Flowers(Low Risk)
Fucus(Unsafe)
Goat´s Rue(Unsafe)
Bearberry(Unsafe)
Guarana(Low Risk)
Devil’s Claw Root(Low Risk)
Herniary(Low Risk)
St. John´s Wort(Safe)
Hyssop(Unsafe)
Syrup Of Ipecac(Low Risk)
Jin Bu Huan(Dangerous)
Kava Kava(Dangerous)
Clubmoss(Unsafe)
Maca(Safe)
Common gromwell(Unsafe)
Nux Vomica(Dangerous)
White Nettle(Safe)
Papain(Low Risk)
Passion Flower(Low Risk)
African Cherry(Dangerous)
Scots Pine(Unsafe)
Pycnogenol(Safe)
Pennyroyal(Unsafe)
Primrose(Safe)
Radish(Safe)
Ironwort(Low Risk)
Liquorice(Unsafe)
Rooibos(Safe)
Rose Hip(Safe)
French rose(Safe)
Butcher´s Broom(Safe)
Willow(Safe)
Soy(Low Risk)
Herbal Teas(Low Risk)
Rock Tea(Low Risk)
Lime Flower(Safe)
Tormentil(Safe)
Meadow-Sweet(Low Risk)
Golden Rod(Safe)
Sarsaparilla(Low Risk)
Sweet Flag(Unsafe)
Saw palmetto(Low Risk)
Common gum cistus(Low Risk)
Cat's Claw(Low Risk)
Milk Vetch(Low Risk)
Chinese angelica(Low Risk)
White Mulberry(Low Risk)
Di Huang(Low Risk)
Zi Wan(Unsafe)
Dang Shen(Low Risk)
Reishi(Low Risk)
glycyrrhizic acid(Unsafe)
Glycyrrhizin(Unsafe)
American cranberry(Safe)
Carrageenan(Low Risk)
Carrageenin(Low Risk)
Verbena officinalis(Low Risk)
Passion Vine(Low Risk)
Chaste Tree(Unsafe)
Sweet Cane(Unsafe)
Sweet root(Unsafe)
Irish Moss(Low Risk)
Bromelain(Safe)
Bromelin(Safe)
Acorus calamus(Unsafe)