| |  | | Maca and Other Herbs for Hot Flashes While Breastfeeding?
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Name not given
Posted on: January 17, 2006
I would like to know if a lactating woman can take Maca? Does it cross over into the breast milk? The woman is a 28 year old who just had her third child. I feel she could use the benefits of maca with the hot flashes and fatique she is experiencing. She had her tubes tired and does not want to go back on the birth control pill. From my understanding, Black Cohosh should not be used while breastfeeding. Your input on this matter would be appreciated.
Maca would likely enter the breast milk. I don’t know whether it would be harmful. It is used as a food in Peru, and is not known to have side effects or contraindications.
Maca must be purchased from a good source, because there are some reports of adulteration with other materials and contamination with chemicals from fertilizers or from polluted areas.
Black cohosh is contraindicated in breastfeeding.
Vitex agnus castus (chasteberry) is used for balancing hormones in menopause and in health problems related to hormone imbalance. It is also recommended for improving lactation. Herbs that support the liver, such as dandelion root, are also helpful with menopausal hormone imbalance, because the liver needs to process hormones for excretion. Some herbs that are recommended for improving lactation, like blessed thistle, are also good liver supportive herbs.
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