Fenugreek in pregnancy and breastfeeding

What NCCIH says about safety

Fenugreek is believed to be safe for adults and children in the amounts commonly found in foods. It is possibly safe for adults in larger amounts. There is not enough information to say whether it is safe for children to take fenugreek in amounts larger than those found in foods. Potential side effects of fenugreek include diarrhea, nausea, and other digestive tract symptoms. Large doses may cause a harmful drop in blood sugar. Fenugreek can cause allergic reactions, including serious reactions, in some people. If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using fenugreek or other herbal products; some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways. Fenugreek is not safe for use during pregnancy in amounts greater than those found in food; its use has been linked to increased risks of birth defects in both animals and people. Little is known about whether it’s safe to use fenugreek in amounts greater than those found in food while breastfeeding.

Quoted in full from NCCIH so nothing is lost in summarising. Where they say “little is known”, that means the studies do not exist — not that the herb is known to be safe, and not that it is known to be harmful.

How much is actually known

There is not enough high-quality evidence to determine whether fenugreek is useful for diabetes or menstrual cramps. A few studies have evaluated the use of fenugreek to increase milk supply in breastfeeding women, with mixed results. More high-quality studies are needed before conclusions can be reached about fenugreek’s effects on these conditions. Fenugreek is not safe for use during pregnancy in amounts greater than those found in food; its use has been linked to increased risks of birth defects.

What the research has found

Research has suggested that fenugreek may help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, but many of the studies were not of high quality. Only a small number of studies have examined the effect of fenugreek on menstrual cramps. The evidence is of low quality, and the effects of fenugreek on this condition are uncertain. It’s uncertain whether fenugreek can increase milk supply in breastfeeding women; studies have had mixed results. The evidence on fenugreek for other health conditions is too limited for any conclusions to be reached.

Before you take this

Dose and form change the answer completely. A culinary amount of a spice, a cup of tea, and a concentrated supplement extract are three different things, and most research is done on the last of them.

Supplements are also not regulated like medicines, so strength and purity vary between products. Bring the actual bottle to your midwife, doctor or pharmacist — that conversation is worth more than any page, including this one.