Ginger root is considered an herb. It is an underground stem also called zingiber officinale. Ginger root is used as a spice for cooking as well as medicinally in teas and in capsule form. Medicinally, ginger has been used to help nausea, vomiting, indigestion, gas and inflammation. You should consult with your physician before using herbs while breastfeeding. It is unclear whether ginger root can pose any harm to you or your baby.
Warnings
Several warnings are associated with the use of ginger root. According to Hilary Jacobson, author of "Mother Food for Breastfeeding Mothers," ginger can interfere with blood clotting, so new moms should not take it immediately following birth to avoid hemorrhaging. Caution should be taken if you are on any medications, because ginger may increase the effects of the medication. Consult your doctor if you are taking heart, blood-thinning or diabetic medications.
Culinary Uses
Whole ginger root may be purchased fresh from grocery stores or Asian food stores. You may also purchase dried ginger as a powder to use in cooking. Ginger teas, lotions, soaps and ginger ale are other forms of the herb. Small amounts of ginger for culinary purposes do not seem to pose a threat to breastfeeding moms or their babies.
Medicinal Uses
Ginger may be purchased in capsule form. "The Breast Way" website notes that you may take two 500-mg capsules of powdered ginger for motion sickness or nausea, and one capsule every four hours thereafter. The website states that not enough evidence is available in the literature to support claims that ginger could cause any harm to mother or baby. However, MedlinePlus recommends avoiding ginger during breastfeeding, because not enough research validates its safety.
Ginger for Milk Letdown
Jacobsen states that ginger can help with milk letdown and milk flow. She discusses drinking ginger ale and purchasing ginger as a food or spice, not as a potent herb in capsule or tincture form. She also cautions against using ginger products immediately following birth, due to ginger's effects on the body's blood-clotting mechanisms.
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