Feverfew, a small, flowering plant native to southeastern Europe, has been used for centuries to treat headaches, arthritis, fevers, stomachaches and asthma. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, feverfew is generally safe when used under the guidance of a qualified health care provider. However, no well-designed studies have examined feverfew's safety for breastfeeding mothers. Consult a physician, lactaton consultant or experienced herbalist before using any herb during lactation.
Benefits and Uses
Breastfeeding mothers may turn to feverfew as an alternative method for treating painful conditions such as migraine headaches. The UMMC regards feverfew as an effective treatment for migraines, noting that it appears to decrease the frequency of migraines in roughly 70 percent of patients. There is insufficient evidence to determine whether feverfew can effectively treat any other condition, but some women may choose to take it for tension headaches and arthritis.
Evidence of Safety
Kelly Bonyata, a renowned lactation consultant and founder of Kellymom.com, suggests that feverfew is safe for use during lactation. Bonyata cites several small-scale studies indicating that feverfew does not affect a nursing child. For women with severe migraines, feverfew may be a less dangerous alternative to narcotics such as morphine. These are known to be harmful to breastfed babies. However, the use of medicinal herbs during lactation remains extremely controversial.
Possible Risks
The National Institutes of Health advises nursing mothers to avoid feverfew. It notes that no large-scale, well-designed studies have conclusively proven its safety. According to Kelly Bonyata, poorly made feverfew supplements may contain toxic compounds that may harm a breastfed baby's developing brain. To completely assure the safety of feverfew supplements for nursing mothers, manufacturers would need to create a process guaranteeing the safety, potency and purity of feverfew supplements.
Considerations
A licensed health care provider can help a breastfeeding mother evaluate the relative benefits and risks of using feverfew. The UMMC regards feverfew as safe for children older than 2, so it's presumably acceptable for the mothers of extended-breastfed toddlers. A baby's age and overall health may play a role in how well his body handles trace amounts of feverfew compounds.
Alternatives
The decision to take feverfew may depend on the severity of the mother's condition. If she can manage her migraines using lower-risk treatments, herbal supplements may be an unnecessary intervention. Safer alternatives to feverfew include aromatherapy, massage, meditation, yoga and other relaxation exercises. Consult your health care provider if you suffer from recurrent migraine headaches; they may be a sign of a medical condition requiring clinical evaluation.
