Is ashwagandha safe for breastfeeding moms?

Is Ashwagandha Safe for Breastfeeding Moms?
As more mothers seek natural remedies to manage postpartum stress and enhance overall well-being, the question of whether ashwagandha—a popular herb in Ayurvedic medicine—is safe during breastfeeding has gained attention. While ashwagandha is celebrated for its adaptogenic properties, which may help reduce stress and improve energy levels, the safety of its use in nursing mothers remains a complex issue.
Limited Research and Expert Opinions
Currently, there is a notable lack of comprehensive research specifically addressing the effects of ashwagandha on breastfeeding mothers and their infants. Experts generally advise caution. According to health professionals, while ashwagandha is considered safe for most adults when taken in recommended doses, its effects during breastfeeding are not well-studied. This uncertainty leads many healthcare providers to recommend that breastfeeding mothers avoid ashwagandha, particularly when nursing newborns or preterm infants.
Potential Risks of Transfer to Breast Milk
One of the primary concerns regarding ashwagandha use during breastfeeding is its potential to transfer into breast milk. Studies indicate that compounds from ashwagandha can indeed pass into pumped breast milk, which raises the possibility of affecting the infant. Given that infants are particularly vulnerable to the substances their mothers consume, this transfer could pose risks, especially since the specific impacts of ashwagandha on infants have not been thoroughly investigated.
Nutritional Considerations
Interestingly, ashwagandha contains iron, a vital nutrient for breastfeeding mothers. However, the potential benefits of this nutrient must be weighed against the risks associated with the herb’s other components. The general consensus among experts is that it is safer to wait until a mother has fully weaned her child before introducing ashwagandha into her regimen.
Conclusion: A Cautious Approach Recommended
In summary, while ashwagandha may offer various health benefits, its safety during breastfeeding is not well-established. The potential for transfer into breast milk and the lack of extensive research lead many experts to recommend that breastfeeding mothers avoid this herb until they have weaned their infants. As always, it is crucial for mothers to consult with healthcare providers before starting any new supplement, ensuring that both their health and that of their child are prioritized.

Who should avoid ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy and should not be used while breastfeeding. Ashwagandha is not recommended for people who are about to have surgery, or for those who have autoimmune or thyroid disorders.

What can I take for anxiety while breastfeeding?

Safe medication in breastfeeding
They include, in no particular order: SSRI antidepressants e.g. sertraline, citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine all have anti- anxiety activity. They take 4 to 6 weeks to exert full benefit. Tri-cyclic antidepressants e.g. amitriptyline, imipramine.

Can a breastfeeding mother take ashwagandha?

Based on the available evidence, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) recommends that especially children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and people with acute or pre-existing liver disease should not take supplements containing ashwagandha.

Are there any herbs to avoid while breastfeeding?

Herbs to avoid while breastfeeding

• Periwinkle Herb (Vinca minor)
• Sage (Salvia officinalis)
• Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
• Spearmint
• Thyme
• Yarrow

Does ashwagandha increase weight in females?

Ashwagandha is unlikely to make you gain weight. There’s some chance it could help you lose weight, but weight loss is a complicated formula. It’s not clear if or how ashwagandha might play a role, but if it does, it likely has something to do with your metabolism.

Does ashwagandha make you lose weight?

While ashwagandha is not a direct weight loss supplement, it may indirectly support weight management.

What is not recommended for breastfeeding?

Medical Contraindications for Breastfeeding
There are a few medical contraindications to breastfeeding, and these include: An infant who has the metabolic disorder of classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency). A mother living with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I or type II.

What supplements should I avoid while breastfeeding?

Dietary Supplements and Herbs to Avoid When Breastfeeding

• Answer: Certain herbals, high dose vitamins, and other dietary supplements can be dangerous to breastfed babies through breast milk.
• Aloe latex.
• Ashwagandha.
• Berberine/goldenseal.
• Bilberry.
• Black cohosh.
• Butterbur.
• Dong quai.

Why avoid cinnamon while breastfeeding?

Coumarin, an ingredient in some cinnamon products, can cause liver problems, but the amount you’d get is so small that it probably won’t be a problem. Given the lack of evidence about its safety, children, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding should avoid cinnamon as a treatment.

What does ashwagandha do to breasts?

WS exerts its effect on breast cancer cells by inducing programmed cell death, especially apoptosis, at the molecular level. Ashwagandha has been found to possess a potential for treating breast cancer, especially estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (ER/PR)-positive and triple-negative breast cancer.