Chinese Herbal Medication

[AChan]

I had the stomach flu and took two doses of some Chinese herbal medicine. The medicine said not for breastfeeding doesn’t seem to be any indication on how long to pump and dump. I stopped taking the medicine on Saturday. I can’t seem to find any information from my pediatrician or pharmacist. I’ve pumped and dumped two full days already.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Indian Goldthread 100mg (taken 400mg total)

Herbal Extract Equiv. To Herbal Dry Jasminum Officinale Leaf 1000mg (taken 8000mg total)

Polygonum Chinese Whole Herb 330mg (taken 2,640mg total)

Liex Rotunda Bark 670mg (taken 5,360 total)

Punica Granatum Pericarp 330mg (taken 2,640mg total)

[Sandra]

AChan,

"We have a policy of not commenting on the safety of combination herbal products or mega-doses of vitamins. There is rarely satisfactory literature published on the safety of a complimentary therapy in breastfeeding women. It is not ethical for us to make a recommendation based on anecdotes. Also, herbal products are not regulated by the FDA and there can be significant variations in the potency and purity between different products or even between different lots of the same product. Herbs can also interact with each other and with prescription medications, so we tend to advise not taking them at all. As a general rule, breastfeeding is a time for simplicity. Focus on eating a balanced, nutritious diet and minimizing your use of extraneous stuff. When you do take a med or supplement, make sure that you're making that decision based on a clear understanding of the benefits you are likely to get. Benefits are often a lot better researched and documented than risks. -James Abbey, MD" (Medications and Mothers' Milk database, Dr Thomas Hale, PhD).

Sandra Lovato R.N.
InfantRisk Center
806-2519