Is Chamomile oil Safe in Breastfeeding

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

It is a widely used plant even in infants. Because of lack of toxicity, a moderate use is considered to be safe. If topically used, do not apply it on the nipple because risk of contact dermatitis has been reported. There are two different species with similar properties: 1) Common or Sweet Chamomile oil (Matricaria recutita or Chamomilla recutita). 2) Roman, English or Bitter Chamomile oil (Anthemis nobilis o Chamaemelum nobile). Inflorescence of the herb is used. Contains Essential Oil, Flavonoids, Lactones and Tannins. Unproven properties are: Anti-spasmodic. Digestive, Anti-inflammatory, Sedative.

Two different plant species with similar effects are known as Chamomile oil: German Chamomile oil (Matricaria recutita) and Roman Chamomile oil (Chamaemelum nobile). Both contain similar ingredients, including sesquiterpenes (e.g., bisabolol, farnesene), sesquiterpenelactones (e.g., chamazulene, matricin), flavonoids (e.g., apigenin, luteolin), and volatile oils. Chamomile oil is used orally as a sedative and for gastrointestinal conditions; it is used topically for wound healing. Both herbal and homeopathic preparations have been used to treat mastitis and cracked, bleeding nipples.[1] Chamomile oil has been used as a galactogogue;[2][3] however, no scientifically valid clinical trials support this use. Galactogogues should never replace evaluation and counseling on modifiable factors that affect milk production.[4] Chamomile oil is "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) for use in food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a spice, seasoning, or flavoring agent. No data exist on the safety of Chamomile oil in nursing mothers or infants, although rare sensitization may occur (see below).[5] It has been safely and effectively used alone and with other herbs in infants for the treatment of colic, diarrhea, and other conditions,[6][7][8][9] so the smaller amounts expected (but not demonstrated) in breastmilk are likely not to be harmful with usual maternal doses. Note Clostridium botulinum (botulism) spores have been found in some loose-leaf Chamomile oil teas sold in health food stores. Topical Chamomile oil is a known sensitizing agent, even with homeopathic products.[10] Two women developed contact dermatitis of the nipples and areolas after applying Kamillosan ointment for cracked nipples. The product was purchased in England and contained 10.5% Roman Chamomile oil extracts and oil. Reactions were confirmed to be caused by Roman Chamomile oil by patch testing in both women. Drinking Chamomile oil tea can exacerbate topical skin rashes and has caused anaphylaxis in sensitized individuals.[11] Chamomile oil has possible cross-reactivity with other members of the aster family (e.g., echinacea, feverfew, and milk thistle).[5] Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products. More detailed information #about dietary supplements# is available elsewhere on the LactMed Web site.

A mother nursing her 3-month-old infant began drinking 1.5 to 2 L daily of a Chamomile oil infusion made by pouring 1.5 L of hot water over 1 to 3 grams of Chamomile oil flowers. Each time after drinking the infusion, she noticed fullness and tenderness of the breasts 4 to 6 hours later. She also found that she was able to pump 90 mL of milk after Chamomile oil use, compared to 60 mL without Chamomile oil use. During this time she was also mildly hypothyroid.[3]