Is Buckthorn safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Buckthorn. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
In 2 uncontrolled studies, a total of 10 of 22 breastfed infants appeared to have loose stools after administration of 65 mg of cascara as cascara fluidextract to their mothers.[ 4 ] No cases of diarrhea were observed among the breastfed infants of 142 mothers who received 400 mg of cascara extract on day 3 postpartum.[ 5 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
No published information was found as of the revision date on European buckthorn or alder buckthorn. However, the chemical constituents of these products is similar to that of cascara sagrada (California buckthorn). Maternal Levels. After administration of 65 mg of cascara sagrada as cascara fluidextract, cascara was qualitatively detected in the breastmilk of 5 of 10 women collected over 20 hours.[ 4 ] The sensitivity of the assay was about 1100 mg/L of cascara. Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Alternatives LactMed lists
Source: NIH LactMed (National Library of Medicine).
Educational summary of an authoritative source — not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change a medicine while breastfeeding without confirming with your doctor.