Is Evening Primrose safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Evening Primrose. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
Eighteen nursing mothers took EPO 2 grams daily for 8 months starting at an average of 3.4 months postpartum. After 8 months of supplementation, no adverse reactions were reported in their breastfed infants.[ 1 ]
Effects on milk supply
Supplementation of nursing mothers with EPO for 8 months increased the breastmilk content of linoleic acid and total GLA plus its metabolite, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, and caused no adverse reactions in the breastfed infants.[ 1 ] Evening primrose oil purportedly is effective in treating Raynaud s phenomenon of the nipple, but it may not provide immediate relief.[ 4 ] Adequate studies are lacking, however.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. Thirty-six nursing mothers who were 2 to 6 months postpartum took either 2 grams of evening primrose oil (Efamol; n = 18) or placebo (n = 18) twice daily. The total daily intake of the treated mothers was 2.8 grams of linoleic acid and 320 mg of GLA. Samples of milk were taken on entry to the study and after 8 months of supplementation. Breastmilk of supplemented mothers contained more linoleic acid and total GLA plus its metabolite, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, than at baseline. Mothers who received placebo had no changes from baseline.[ 1 ] Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
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.