Is Rooibos Safe in Breastfeeding

Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Rooibos? Is Rooibos safe for nursing mother and child? Does Rooibos extracts into breast milk? Does Rooibos has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Rooibos influence milk supply or can Rooibos decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Rooibos lactation summary

DrLact safety Score for Rooibos is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of Rooibos is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
Our study of different scientific research also indicates that Rooibos does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Rooibos safe in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
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 Rooibos usage in lactation

Shrub which is native from South Africa that is used as a tea since 1930. Constituents are: flavonoids, antioxidants like aspalathin, quercetin, rutin, nothofagin, luteolin, orientin among others, phenol acids, low tannin. None has shown to have a caffeine-like effect. Absorption through the gut and skin is poor. Anti-oxidant property has not been found to be higher in the milk from mothers who have taken rooibos or whatever herb. Effectiveness on traditional indications like antispasmodic or sedative effect has not been shown. According to the Commission E of the German Ministry of Health it is an useless medication. Commonly used in South Africa. Despite of a lack of scientific evidence, it seems to be harmless with a not abusive consumption. At latest update, relevant information on excretion into breast milk was not found. Moderate and occasional use is recommended while breastfeeding.

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)

Star Anise(Dangerous)

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)

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)

Plant Protease Concentrate(Safe)

Sweet Cane(Unsafe)

Sweet root(Unsafe)

Irish Moss(Low Risk)

Bromelain(Safe)

Bromelin(Safe)

Acorus calamus(Unsafe)

Disclaimer: Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. We do not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.