Is Hypericum perforatum Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Hypericum perforatum? Is Hypericum perforatum safe for nursing mother and child? Does Hypericum perforatum extracts into breast milk? Does Hypericum perforatum has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Hypericum perforatum influence milk supply or can Hypericum perforatum decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Hypericum perforatum lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for Hypericum perforatum is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of Hypericum perforatum is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research also indicates that Hypericum perforatum does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Hypericum perforatum 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 Hypericum perforatum usage in lactation
Herb commonly used from ancient times. Firm evidence is available on its effectiveness for treatment of depression, to the extent that it should be avoided a sudden stop of medication to prevent a rebound effect. It has been also topically used for the treatment of wounds, burns and eczema due to healing and antiseptical properties. Constituents are: Hypericin, Hyperforin and Quercetin. Antidepressant properties are attributed to Hypericin but mostly to Hyperforin. Quercetin is a flavonoid which is commonly found in many fruits and eatable vegetables. Hyperforin is excreted into breast milk in nil or clinically non-significant amount with not side-effects reported among breastfed infants from treated mothers, except for isolated and dubious cases of somnolence and colicky pain with spontaneous resolution with no medical intervention being required. Plasma levels in those infants were undetectable or close to the lower detectable point (0.1μg/L). Hypericin has not been detected in the breast milk. Quercetin levels found were as low as of few nanomols/L., and related to composition of fruits and vegetables of diet. It is most important to make sure that composition and amount of Hypericum contained in commercially available products is correct, do not take it without medical surveillance, avoid sudden stop and consider pharmacological interactions with many other medications.