Winter Blend while Breastfeeding

What is Winter Blend used for?

Is Winter Blend usage safe while breastfeeding? If a lactating mother is using it can there be any effect on growth or development of infant?

Echinacea angustifolia while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 84696-11-7

Plant that is widely used even during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Because a lack of toxicity with an appropriate dose and moderate consumption it should be compatible with breastfeeding. The roots and aerial summits are used. It contains polysaccharides, essential oil, flavonoids, pyrrolizidine alkaloids among others. Unproven effects: immune stimulant, wound healing, anti-inflammatory. Indications are: common cold, bronchitis, skin lesions.Roots and aerial summits are used. It contains polysaccharides, essential oil, flavonoids, pyrrolizidine alkaloids ... Unproven effects: immune stimulant, wound healing, anti-inflammatory. Indications according to Commission E of German Ministry of Health: common cold, bronchitis, skin lesions. Contrary to the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP), the European Medication Agency does not recommend usage in younger than 12 years (allergy risk). Avoid using for longer than 8 weeks (risk for leukopenia)

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi leaf while Breastfeeding

Shrub leaves are used. It contains arbutoside or arbutin as an active substance, also, tannins, flavonoids, ursolic acid and hydroquinone. The Commission E of German Ministry of Health approves it as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory medicament for the urinary tract. As a diuretic drug it may decrease breast milk production. When took in high amount it can irritate the uterus and hydroquinone may be toxic for the liver.

Potassium cation while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 7447-40-7

Human milk has a potassium concentration of 13 meq/L, almost a half of rehydration solution content and a quarter of maximal IV recommended dose. Potassium supplementation does not alter milk concentration without increasing mother’s serum concentration, which is strictly limited from 3,5 to 5,5 meq/L.

Pinus sylvestris leafy twig while Breastfeeding

Gems, leaves, tender branches and bark are used. Leaves and gems contain trementine, essential oil and colophony. Bark contains flavonoids, anthocyanides, trementine and tannins. Commission E of German Ministry of Health has approved the use of essential oil and trementine for treatment of common cold and topical use on joints, muscles and neural pain. Trementine use is contraindicated while pregnancy, suckling and childhood. Bark extractor (Pycnogenol) which is traditionally used as blood vessel protector and anti-oxidative agent is not contraindicated during breastfeeding.

Bryonia alba root while Breastfeeding

Climbing plant. The female inflorescences or flower tips are used.It contains phloroglucinols, estrogenic, quercetin, kaempferol, tannins, phenolic acids essential oil and flavonoids. One of its components, 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) is the most powerful phytoestrogen known. Properties that are attributed: hypnotic, sedative, orexigenic.It is used as a flavoring and stabilizer of the beer.Indications German Commission E Ministry of Health, EMA and ESCOP: insomnia, nervousness, anxiety There is no scientific evidence showing an improvement in milk production.A possible estrogenic effect may be a decrease in milk production.The best galactogogue is a frequent and on-demand breastfeeding along with proper technique. During breastfeeding its consumption should be moderate or occasional.

Selenium while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 7782-49-2

Essential trace element necessary for the functioning of the glutathione-peroxidase enzyme system that protects cellular structures from oxidative damage. It is obtained from foods such as vegetables, cereals, legumes, garlic, fish, seafood, eggs and meat. The amount of selenium in these sources depends on the concentration of selenium in the soil. The brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) is the food with the highest known concentrations of selenium. Selenium deficiency is very rare. With a staple diet it is not necessary to take selenium supplements in the absence of disease or a condition that may warrant it: parenteral nutrition, Crohn's disease, prematurity (MedlinePlus 2017). Taking too much selenium can cause selenosis, a condition that causes dermatological symptoms (alopecia, nail dystrophy), digestive symptoms, neurological symptoms and fatigue (MedlinePlus 2017).Nutritional supplements containing excessive amounts of selenium have resulted in severe poisoning (Aldosary 2012, Senthilkumaran 2012).The potential effects of selenium on cancer prevention, cardiovascular disease, and heavy metal poisoning and toxins are not proven, so supplementation of selenium other than from normal diet is not recommended (MedlinePlus 2017). The daily needs of selenium for breastfeeding mothers are 70-75 micrograms (mcg) daily. In infants it is 2 to 3 mcg/kg (10 mcg/day during the first 4 months) with a maximum of 30 mcg/day (MedlinePlus 2017, Kipp 2015). Selenium is found naturally in milk in its organic form of selenomethionine (Dorea 2002). The amount of selenium in colostrum is 80 mcg per litre and in mature milk 12-20 mcg/L, with no or very weak correlation with plasma selenium levels or daily intake of selenium (Wasowicz 2001, Bianchi 1999, Artaud 1993, Cummings 1992, Levander 1987, Higashi 1983). However, there are authors who find that selenium supplements for breastfeeding mothers increase selenium levels in milk and infants may exceed their daily needs for selenium. (Dorea 2002, Trafikowska 1996). Better plasma levels of selenium have been found in breastfed infants than in formula-fed infants (Strambi 2004, Sorvacheva 1996). There are lower plasma levels of selenium in babies born small for their gestational age (Strambi 2004).

Echinacea angustifolia while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 84696-11-7; 90028-20

Echinacea species (Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida) contain high molecular weight polysaccharides (e.g., heteroxylan, arabinogalactan) and lower molecular weight compounds (e.g., alkylamides, caffeoyl conjugates such as cichoric acid and echinacosides), but no single chemical is known to be responsible for echinacea's biological activity. Some products have been standardized based on echinacoside, and others on cichoric acid. Echinacea has no specific uses during breastfeeding, but is commonly used orally to treat or prevent upper respiratory infections. It is also used topically to treat skin infections. Excretion of some of the purportedly active alkamides was found in breastmilk in one mother. No data exist on the safety and efficacy of echinacea in nursing mothers or infants. In general, echinacea is well tolerated with gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea and constipation, skin rash and rarely allergic reactions reported. It may also alter the metabolism of some dugs metabolized by the P450 enzyme system. Some sources indicate that echinacea is safe in recommended doses,[1] while others recommend avoiding it during breastfeeding because of the lack of published safety data. 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.

Baptisia tinctoria root and Breastfeeding

Wild indigo is an herb. The root is used to make medicine.Wild indigo is used for infections such as diphtheria, influenza (flu), swine flu, the common cold and other upper respiratory tract infections, lymph node infections, scarlet fever, malaria, and typhoid. It is also used for sore tonsils (tonsillitis), sore throat, swelling of the mouth and throat, fever, boils, and Crohns disease. Some people apply wild indigo directly to the skin for ulcers, sore and painful nipples, as a douche for vaginal discharge, and for cleaning open and swollen wounds. Wild indigo is UNSAFE when taken by mouth or applied to the skin, long-term or in large doses. Large doses can cause vomiting, diarrhea, other intestinal problems, and spasms.

While breastfeeding wild indigo is likely not safe when taken by mouth or applied to the skin. Avoid use.

Thuja occidentalis leafy twig and Breastfeeding

Thuja is one of the most common remedies used for warts. Topical Usage of Thuja for wart is likely safe while breastfeeding. We do not have sufficient safety usage data for Thuja oral consumption, However its likely unsafe to use thuja orally while breastfeeding.

I am nursing mother and I have already used Winter Blend, what should I do?

I am nursing mother and my doctor has suggested me to use Winter Blend, is it safe?

If I am using Winter Blend, will my baby need extra monitoring?

Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Winter Blend in breastfeeding?