Is Vaccaria safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Vaccaria. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
In a randomized, nonblinded study of mothers who delivered a healthy infant at 37 weeks or beyond and expressed a desire to breastfeed, the Chinese herbal mixture Zengru Gao (n = 294) was compared to blank placebo (n = 294). Zengru Gao is composed of 8 herbs: Vaccaria seed, Medulla Tetrapanacis , Rehmanniae root, Angelica sinensis root, Paeoniae alba root, Ligusticum chuanxiong , Herba Leonuri (Motherwort Herb), and Trichosanthis root. The dose of Zengru Gao was 30 grams three times daily. On days 3 and 7, the group receiving Zengru Gao had more full and partial breastfeeding than those in the placebo group. In Zengru Gao group, 4 newborns had diarrhea, 3 newborns of allergies, 4 women of cough, 2 case of upper respiratory tract infections, 1 case of dry pharynx, and 1 case of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. No complications were seen in the control group.[ 9 ] A nonrandomized, nonblinded study of women who had undergone cesarean section compared those who received acupoint stimulation, breast massage and Vaccaria seed decoction twice daily for 7 days (n = 74) to those who received routine western medicine nursing intervention (instructing mothers to breastfeed, letting the baby contact and suck early after delivery, dietary guidance and psychological intervention, and instructing mothers to get more exercise). Serum prolactin was greater at 3 days postpartum in the acupoint group than the prenatal prolactin and at 1 day postpartum and in the control group. The acupoint group had a higher exclusive breastfeeding rate, higher milk yield at 48 hours postpartum, and milder breast tenderness than the control group. At 42 days postpartum the acupoint group had a greater infant weight than the control group.[ 10 ] A randomized controlled study evaluated the efficacy of an herbal galactagogic decoction combined with auricular acupressure in improving lactation outcomes. The decoction was self-formulated consisting of Wang Bu Liu Xing ( Vaccaria seeds) 10 grams, Glycyrrhiza gl
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date. 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.