Question

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

Chinese Star Anise lactation summary

Chinese Star Anise is dangerous in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Chinese Star Anise is 7 out of 8 which is considered Dangerous as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 7 indicates that usage of Chinese Star Anise may cause toxic or severe side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Chinese 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 Chinese Star Anise .
  • Usage of Chinese Star Anise is in contradiction to breastfeeding hence if it is must to use Chinese 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 Chinese 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religiosum (Illicium anisatum, Japanese star anise) which is a substance not fit to be eaten and very toxic It has been withdrawn from the Spanish market in 2000 after several cases of severe poisonings.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.
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