Is oil of oregano safe during breastfeeding?

Is Oil of Oregano Safe During Breastfeeding?
The safety of oil of oregano during breastfeeding is a topic that has garnered attention among nursing mothers seeking natural remedies. While oregano itself is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when used as a food ingredient, the situation becomes more complex when considering its concentrated form as an essential oil.
General Safety of Oregano
Oregano, particularly in its culinary form, is widely accepted as safe for consumption during breastfeeding. It contains beneficial compounds such as carvacrol, thymol, and rosmarinic acid, which have been used for various medicinal purposes, including treating respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. However, the essential oil of oregano is much more concentrated and may pose different risks.
Potential Risks of Oregano Oil
The primary concern with oil of oregano is its potential to affect milk production. Some sources suggest that high amounts of oregano, particularly in oil form, could lead to a decrease in prolactin levels, which are crucial for milk production. This is particularly important for breastfeeding mothers who are trying to maintain a healthy milk supply.
Moreover, while oregano oil is touted for its antimicrobial properties and sometimes recommended for treating conditions like thrush, experts caution against its use for this purpose during breastfeeding. The concentrated nature of the oil can lead to gastrointestinal upset or allergic reactions, although these are rare.
Recommendations for Use
For breastfeeding mothers, moderation is key. While consuming oregano as a culinary herb is generally safe, the same cannot be said for its oil. It is advisable to limit the intake of oregano oil and to avoid using it in large quantities or as a supplement. If a mother wishes to use oregano oil for its purported health benefits, consulting with a healthcare provider is essential to ensure it aligns with her individual health needs and breastfeeding goals.
In summary, while oregano in food form is safe during breastfeeding, the concentrated oil should be approached with caution. Mothers should prioritize maintaining their milk supply and consider alternative remedies that are better studied and understood in the context of breastfeeding.

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.

Is oregano oil safe while breastfeeding?

Remember that essential oils are much stronger than the supplements and should always be diluted. Oregano oils shouldn’t be used in babies or children, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

What essential oil stops breastfeeding?

Peppermint It is recommended to avoid Peppermint whilst breastfeeding as it can reduce your supply. So if you’ve missed your peppermint teat an essential oil then you can safely welcome it back now. Enjoy peppermint tea for gentle support or an ingestible peppermint oil for stronger support.

Is oregano safe for babies?

Is oregano safe for babies? Yes, oregano is generally recognized as safe in amounts typically used in cooking. Oregano essential oil, on the other hand, should be avoided for babies, as its safety and potency has not been sufficiently studied in children.

What herbs cause lactation?

Fenugreek. Traditionally, fenugreek is used to increase milk supply. The transfer of fenugreek into breast milk is unknown and unusual side effects such as allergy, colic, abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea have been reported in babies. Also, there is the potential for fenugreek to interact with other medicines.

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 is oil of oregano bad for pregnancy?

Special precautions & warnings: Pregnancy: Oregano is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts during pregnancy. There is concern that taking oregano in amounts larger than food amounts might cause miscarriage. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Is oil of oregano safe while breastfeeding Kelly?

Safety Issues:
Most sources recommend that oil of oregano should not be taken internally, particularly by infants and young children. Anything applied to the nipple is likely to be ingested by baby unless it is washed off very well before nursing.

Who should avoid oil of oregano?

Pregnant women should not take oregano in medicinal amounts because the oils they contain could reach the baby and harm it or may cause miscarriages. And people taking lithium should avoid oregano. You should also be very careful of using oregano oil if you are on blood thinners or medicines for diabetes.

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
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