Question

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

Oregano lactation summary

Oregano usage has low risk in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Oregano is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Oregano may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Oregano may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Oregano low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • While using Oregano 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 Oregano usage in lactation

Se utilizan las hojas, flores y aceite esencial de esta planta en usos de medicina tradicional y las hojas desecadas como condimento culinario.Continene ácidos fenolcarboxílicos (caféico, clorogénico, rosmarínico), flavonoides, taninos y triterpenos derivados de los ácidos ursólico y oleanólico. El aceite esencial es rico en timol, carvacrol y eugenol. Propiedades atribuidas en medicina tradicional sin comprobaciones clínicas (WHO 2010, Blumenthal 1998 p.358): digestivo, espasmolítico, expectorante y diurético. Antiséptico, antifúngico y cicatrizante en uso externo. La Comisión E no recomienda s uso ante la falta de eficacia documentada (Blumenthal 1998 p.358). A fecha de última actualización no encontramos datos publicados sobre su excreción en leche materna. Aunque se ha empleado tópicamente para tratar candidiasis del pezón (Jacobsen 2009) las pruebas como antiinfeccioso y antifúngico son insuficientes (Liu 2017). La utilización de aceite esencial, por su alto contenido en principios activos, podría no ser prudente durante la lactancia. Precauciones al tomar preparados de plantas: 1. Asegurarse que son de fuente fiable: Han ocurrido intoxicaciones por confusión de una planta con otra con propiedades tóxicas, envenenamientos por contener metales pesados que extraen del suelo y toxiinfecciones alimentarias por contaminación con bacterias u hongos (Anderson 2017). 2. No tomar en exceso; seguir recomendaciones de profesionales expertos en fitoterapia. Los productos “naturales” no son buenos en cualquier cantidad: las plantas contienen sustancias activas de las que se ha obtenido gran parte de nuestra farmacopea tradicional y pueden provocar intoxicaciones o actuar como disruptores endocrinos (contienen fitoestrógenos: Powers 2015, Zava 1998) si se consumen en cantidad o tiempo exagerados. USO CUINARIO:Se utiliza en muchas cocinas occidentales como aromatizador y no produce toxicidad cuando se consume a dosis culinarias. El orégano en su uso culinario es, por tanto, compatible durante al lactancia.

Answer by DrLact: About Oregano usage in lactation

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) leaves and oil contain carvacrol, thymol, eugenol and rosmarinic acid. Oregano has been used in medicinal doses for respiratory and gastrointesinal disorders and as an antimicrobial. Oregano oil has been advocated as a treatment for lactation-related Candida infection of the nipples;[1] however, no clinical studies have confirmed the safety or efficacy of this use. No data exist on the excretion of any components of oregano into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of oregano in nursing mothers or infants. Oregano and oregano oil are "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) as food ingredients by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Oregano is generally well tolerated, but gastrointestinal upset and allergic skin reactions have been reported rarely. Because of a lack of data, oregano in amounts higher than those found in foods as a flavoring should probably be avoided during breastfeeding. 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.

Alternate Drugs

Aloe(Low Risk)
Ginger(Safe)
Licorice(Unsafe)
Garlic(Safe)
Echinacea(Low Risk)
Melatonin(Safe)
Hops(Low Risk)
Coriander(Safe)
Ginkgo(Low Risk)
Sage(Low Risk)
Nutmeg(Low Risk)
Oregano(Low Risk)
Calendula(Safe)
Rhubarb(Low Risk)
Chamomile(Safe)
Cumin(Safe)
Caraway(Safe)
Cranberry(Safe)
Basil(Unsafe)
Chasteberry(Unsafe)
Alfalfa(Unsafe)
Fenugreek(Safe)
Dong Quai(Low Risk)
Coenzyme Q10(Low Risk)
Castor(Unsafe)
Lecithin(Safe)
Lavender(Low Risk)
Licorice(Unsafe)
Garlic(Safe)
Hops(Low Risk)
Coriander(Safe)
Oregano(Low Risk)
Rhubarb(Low Risk)
Caraway(Safe)
Cranberry(Safe)
Basil(Unsafe)
Alfalfa(Unsafe)
Lecithin(Safe)
Lavender(Low Risk)
Ginger(Safe)
Echinacea(Low Risk)
Hops(Low Risk)
Coriander(Safe)
Oregano(Low Risk)
Ginkgo(Low Risk)
Sage(Low Risk)
Nutmeg(Low Risk)
Calendula(Safe)
Rhubarb(Low Risk)
Caraway(Safe)
Chamomile(Safe)
Cumin(Safe)
Cranberry(Safe)
Basil(Unsafe)
Chasteberry(Unsafe)
Lecithin(Safe)
Lavender(Low Risk)
Fenugreek(Safe)
Dong Quai(Low Risk)
Castor(Unsafe)
Licorice(Unsafe)
Aloe(Low Risk)
Garlic(Safe)
Echinacea(Low Risk)
Hops(Low Risk)
Coriander(Safe)
Oregano(Low Risk)
Ginkgo(Low Risk)
Sage(Low Risk)
Nutmeg(Low Risk)
Calendula(Safe)
Rhubarb(Low Risk)
Caraway(Safe)
Chamomile(Safe)
Cumin(Safe)
Cranberry(Safe)
Basil(Unsafe)
Chasteberry(Unsafe)
Lecithin(Safe)
Lavender(Low Risk)
Fenugreek(Safe)
Dong Quai(Low Risk)
Castor(Unsafe)
Licorice(Unsafe)
Aloe(Low Risk)
Garlic(Safe)
Ginger(Safe)
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.