The use of herbal medicines during breastfeeding: A population-based survey in western australia (original) (raw)
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Complementary, Holistic, and Integrative Medicine: Advice for Clinicians on Herbs and Breastfeeding
Pediatrics in Review, 2013
Pediatricians need to be aware that mothers commonly use herbal supplements while breastfeeding, despite the lack of regulatory guidelines and rigorous scientific evaluation. Several resources on the safety and efficacy of herbs during breastfeeding can help guide clinical recommendations. Definition and Description In the United States, herbal products are classified as dietary supplements, a regulatory category created with the introduction of the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHEA). (1) Under this act, dietary supplements are defined as herbs or other botanicals, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and certain other natural substances. Under DSHEA, herbal medicines are held to different regulatory standards than prescription medications in testing and marketing. Products sold as a dietary supplement, including herbal products, are not permitted to claim that they can treat, prevent, or cure any disease or condition. Currently in the United States, no existing regulatory guidelines set a standardized risk assessment to determine the safety and efficacy of herbs during breastfeeding. Despite the lack of rigorous scientific evaluation, many women use herbs during breastfeeding. Galactagogues Poor breast milk production is the most frequent cause of breastfeeding failure, and breastfeeding mothers often seek advice from their clinician about what they can do to increase
The Use of Herbal Products during Breastfeeding: A Study from a Public Italian Hospital
Journal of Food Processing & Technology, 2014
The use of herbal products is steadily increasing worldwide, especially by women, also during pregnancy and breastfeeding, even if safety data are lacking. Aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of use and the attitude toward herbal remedies among women during breastfeeding, by an interview-based survey.
Systematic Review of Breastfeeding and Herbs
Breastfeeding Medicine, 2012
Objectives: Despite popular and historical use, there has been little modern research conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of herb use during breastfeeding. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the clinical literature on herbal medicine and lactation. Methods: The databases PubMed, CAB Abstracts, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, HealthSTAR, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Reprotox were systematically searched for human trials from 1970 until 2010. Reference lists from relevant articles were hand-searched. Results: Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Clinical studies were divided into three categories: survey studies (n = 11), safety studies (n = 8), and efficacy studies (n = 13). Six studies were randomized controlled trials. The most common herbs studied were St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) (n = 3), garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract (n = 2), and senna (Cassia senna L.) (n = 2). Studies were very heterogeneous with regard to study design, herbal intervention, and outcome measures. Overall, poor methodological quality predominated among the studies. Conclusions: Our review concludes that further research is needed to assess the prevalence, efficacy, and safety of commonly used herbs during breastfeeding.
African Journal of Health, Safety and Environment
Herbal medicine is one of the popular complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies used by women. The aim of the present study was to explore awareness and attitudes of nurses towards herbal medicine use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. A descriptive design was used to collect data from all nurses working at maternity units, King Khalid Hospital, Jeddah. Data were collected using a questionnaire designed by the investigators on socio-demographic background, awareness, and attitudes regarding herbal medicine use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. More than two thirds of the participants heard about herbal medicine and knew about its use by women during pregnancy and breastfeeding (88.6% and 68.6% respectively). However, more than half of them were not aware of its benefits or harms (55.7% and 65.7%). Half of them were familiar to and aware of the effects of ginger (55.7%) and garlic (51.4%). However, most of them were unfamiliar of myrrh (78.6%), fenugreek (71.4%), and ...
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019
Background The use of medications, including herbal medicines during breastfeeding is always a concern among women. Currently, there is no published evidence on whether Sierra Leonean women use herbal medicine during breastfeeding. This study investigates the prevalence, correlates and pattern of herbal medicine use during breastfeeding. Methodology We conducted a cross-sectional study among 378 current breastfeeding mothers visiting public healthcare facilities within the Western area of Sierra Leone. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results Over a third of mothers (n = 140, 37.0%) used herbal medicine during breastfeeding. However, very few herbal medicine users (2.1%, n = 3) used herbal medicine to augment breastfeeding. Dietary changes were the most common method used to increase breast milk supply (93.9%, n = 355) with cassava leaves sauce and tubers being the most common dietary addition. Mothers with children more than six months old were more likely to use herbal medicine than mothers with younger children (OR:1.8; CI:1.13–2.85,p = 0.013). Among herbal medicine users, only 11.4% (n = 16) disclosed their herbal medicine use to their conventional healthcare providers. Conclusion The use of herbal medicine among breastfeeding mothers attending public health facilities in the Western area of Sierra Leone is common. Whilst this use is not usually specific to increasing breast milk supply, our study indicates that herbal medicines may be used to ‘cleanse’ initial breast milk.
Iranian Journal of Pediatrics
Context: Breastfeeding initiation is an important event during the postpartum period. Despite the significance of exclusive breastfeeding in infant health, some common breast issues lead to the early cessation of breastfeeding. Therefore, various complementary medicine techniques are used to increase the length and quality of breastfeeding. Objectives: The current review study collected evidence on the impacts of complementary medicine on successful breastfeeding and breastfeeding-associated problems in the postpartum period. Data Sources: A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases and all randomized clinical trial, quasi-experimental, observational, and case-control studies published from 1999 to 2018. The quality of the selected papers was measured based on their adherence to the strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) checklist. After careful examinations, 18 papers were selected and reviewed. Results: According to the results of the current review, point massage was beneficial to prevent low milk supply postpartum. Oketani breast massage significantly increased total solids, lipids, and casein content, as well as the gross energy of breast milk and thus improved its overall quality. Reflexology enhanced breast milk supply. The Gua-Sha therapy, Oketani massage, and hollyhock leaf compress decreased the mean severity of breast engorgement. The six-step recanalization manual therapy (SSRMT) could be used as a safe and low-cost method to treat plugged milk ducts after delivery. Nipple fissures could be relieved by the use of Pistacia atlantica resin, silver impregnate medical cap, lanoline, menthol essence, and Ziziphus jujuba fruit. Conclusions: Supplementary medicine techniques are inexpensive and safe methods to resolve breastfeeding problems and empower mothers to perform successful breastfeeding. These methods can thus promote exclusive breastfeeding and decrease infant morbidity and morbidity. However, further details are needed in this area.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014
Background: Some herbal galactagogues have gained reputation and recognition by the public and health professionals as alternative approaches to increase breast milk supply. This study explores the perspectives and attitudes of breastfeeding women towards the use of herbal galactagogues while breastfeeding, their experiences, and why and how they have chosen an alternative option over conventional treatments to enhance breastfeeding performance. Methods: This exploratory research was conducted through in-depth semi-structured interviews with women living in Perth, Western Australia, who were using one or more herbal galactagogues during breastfeeding. Purposeful and subsequent snowball sampling methods were employed to recruit participants. All interviews, facilitated by an interview guide, were audio-recorded, then transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data to construct themes and subthemes. Results: The perspectives and attitudes of the 20 participants are classified under three main headings: i) use of herbal medicines during breastfeeding, ii) available herbal medicines resources, and iii) level of breastfeeding support received. Throughout the interviews, participants described how their perseverance and determination to breastfeed, as well as concerns over breastfed infants' safety with conventional treatments, influenced their choice of therapy. A sense of self-efficacy and autonomy over their own health needs was seen as influential to their confidence level, supported self-empowerment and provided reassurance throughout the breastfeeding journey. There was also a desire for more evidence-based information and expectations of health professionals to provide credible and reliable information regarding the use of herbal medicines during breastfeeding. Conclusions: This study has enhanced our understanding of the perspectives and attitudes of breastfeeding women towards the use of herbal medicines, in particular galactagogues, while breastfeeding. The positive attitudes of breastfeeding women identified in this study highlight the need for further research into evaluating the safety and efficacy of commonly used herbal galactagogues, whilst the negative views on breastfeeding education should be taken into consideration when implementing or improving breastfeeding-related health policies.
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Background and objectives Indonesian society extensively uses herbal medicine due to its abundant natural resources that have been utilized for generations for health purposes. Herbal medicine is also employed by specific community groups, such as breastfeeding mothers, to address issues like low milk production. However, there has yet to be much research conducted on its usage patterns in the Jogonalan District, Klaten Regency, Indonesia. It is crucial to understand this aspect to gain an overview of herbal medicine utilization in the community, thus preserving local’s healthy traditional culture and traditions and continuing their development. This study aims to describe the pattern of herbal medicine usage among breastfeeding mothers in the Jogonalan District, Klaten Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. Methods The quantitative descriptive study conducted as a mini survey to breastfeeding mothers who used herbs, visited minimal three (3) times in integrated service posts fo...