Question

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

Answer by DrLact: About Buckthorn usage in lactation

The bark, stems and leaves of European buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus), alder buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) and California buckthorn (Rhamnus purshiana) contain anthraquinones that have potent cathartic properties. (Do not confuse these products with sea buckthorn [Hippophae rhamnoides]). Maternal intake of the cathartic buckthorn products might cause loose stools in breastfed infants and their use should be avoided.[1][2][3][4] 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.

Buckthorn Side Effects in Breastfeeding

In 2 uncontrolled studies, a total of 10 of 22 breastfed infants appeared to have loose stools after administration of 65 mg of cascara as cascara fluidextract to their mothers.[5] No cases of diarrhea were observed among the breastfed infants of 142 mothers who received 400 mg of cascara extract on day 3 postpartum.[6]

Alternate Drugs

Cascara Sagrada(Low Risk)
Bisacodyl(Safe)
Senna(Safe)
Castor(Unsafe)
Garlic(Safe)
Nutmeg(Low Risk)
Oregano(Low Risk)
Melatonin(Safe)
Alfalfa(Unsafe)
Cranberry(Safe)
Ginger(Safe)
Calendula(Safe)
Aloe(Low Risk)
Dong Quai(Low Risk)
Echinacea(Low Risk)
Rhubarb(Low Risk)
Coriander(Safe)
Cumin(Safe)
Ginkgo(Low Risk)
Sage(Low Risk)
Licorice(Unsafe)
Hops(Low Risk)
Caraway(Safe)
Lecithin(Safe)
Chamomile(Safe)
Castor(Unsafe)
Fenugreek(Safe)
Lavender(Low Risk)
Basil(Unsafe)
Chasteberry(Unsafe)
Coenzyme Q10(Low Risk)
Doxylamine(Unsafe)
Ursodiol(Safe)
Cimetidine(Low Risk)
Bisacodyl(Safe)
Senna(Safe)
Dimenhydrinate(Low Risk)
Cyclizine(Low Risk)
Rifaximin(Safe)
Droperidol(Low Risk)
Cisapride(Safe)
Docusate(Safe)
Cascara Sagrada(Low Risk)
Alosetron(Low Risk)
Oregano(Low Risk)
Cranberry(Safe)
Ginger(Safe)
Calendula(Safe)
Aloe(Low Risk)
Dong Quai(Low Risk)
Echinacea(Low Risk)
Rhubarb(Low Risk)
Coriander(Safe)
Cumin(Safe)
Ginkgo(Low Risk)
Sage(Low Risk)
Licorice(Unsafe)
Hops(Low Risk)
Caraway(Safe)
Lecithin(Safe)
Chamomile(Safe)
Castor(Unsafe)
Fenugreek(Safe)
Lavender(Low Risk)
Basil(Unsafe)
Chasteberry(Unsafe)
Garlic(Safe)
Nutmeg(Low Risk)
Cranberry(Safe)
Ginger(Safe)
Calendula(Safe)
Aloe(Low Risk)
Dong Quai(Low Risk)
Echinacea(Low Risk)
Rhubarb(Low Risk)
Coriander(Safe)
Cumin(Safe)
Ginkgo(Low Risk)
Sage(Low Risk)
Licorice(Unsafe)
Hops(Low Risk)
Caraway(Safe)
Lecithin(Safe)
Chamomile(Safe)
Castor(Unsafe)
Fenugreek(Safe)
Lavender(Low Risk)
Basil(Unsafe)
Chasteberry(Unsafe)
Garlic(Safe)
Nutmeg(Low Risk)
Oregano(Low Risk)
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.