Is Sarsaparilla Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Sarsaparilla? Is Sarsaparilla safe for nursing mother and child? Does Sarsaparilla extracts into breast milk? Does Sarsaparilla has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Sarsaparilla influence milk supply or can Sarsaparilla decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Sarsaparilla lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for Sarsaparilla is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Sarsaparilla may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research indicates that Sarsaparilla may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Sarsaparilla low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
- While using Sarsaparilla We suggest monitoring child for possible reactions. It is also important to understand that side effects vary largely based on age of breastfed child and time of medication in addition to 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 Sarsaparilla usage in lactation
The roots of this shrub are used. It contains triterpene saponosides, essential oils, starch, choline, mineral salts (K), tannins and phytosterols. Properties traditionally attributed to it without any clinical evidence: diuretic, depurative, sudorific, antirheumatic.Commission E of the German Ministry of Health does not consider any of its indications to be proven and advises against its use (Blumenthal 1998 p.372). Since the last update we have not found published data about its excretion in breast milk. Although apparently lacking toxicity, there are very few publications on this plant and no proven health effects, making its consumption totally non-essential, especially during breastfeeding. Precautions when taking plant preparations: 1. Ensure that they are from a reliable source: poisoning has occurred due to confusing one plant with another with toxic properties, as well as poisoning from heavy metals extracted from the ground and food poisoning due to contamination with bacteria or fungi. 2. Do not take in large amounts; follow recommendations from professional experts in phytotherapy. "Natural" products are not always good in any quantity: plants contain active substances from which much of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can result in poisoning or act as endocrine disruptors if taken in excessive amounts or time periods.
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)
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)
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)