Is Buckthorn safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what LactMed, the Drugs and Lactation Database published by the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), reports about Buckthorn. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.
Summary of use during breastfeeding
The bark, stems and leaves of European buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus), alder buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) and California buckthorn (Rhamnus purshiana) contain anthraquinones that have potent cathartic properties. (Do not confuse these products with sea buckthorn [Hippophae rhamnoides]). Maternal intake of the cathartic buckthorn products might cause loose stools in breastfed infants and their use should be avoided.[1-3]
Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products. More detailed information about dietary supplements is available elsewhere on the LactMed Web site.
Effects on the breastfed infant
In 2 uncontrolled studies, a total of 10 of 22 breastfed infants appeared to have loose stools after administration of 65 mg of cascara as cascara fluidextract to their mothers.[4]
No cases of diarrhea were observed among the breastfed infants of 142 mothers who received 400 mg of cascara extract on day 3 postpartum.[5]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
No published information was found as of the revision date on European buckthorn or alder buckthorn. However, the chemical constituents of these products is similar to that of cascara sagrada (California buckthorn).
Maternal Levels. After administration of 65 mg of cascara sagrada as cascara fluidextract, cascara was qualitatively detected in the breastmilk of 5 of 10 women collected over 20 hours.[4] The sensitivity of the assay was about 1100 mg/L of cascara.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Alternatives LactMed lists
Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Buckthorn” (LM941). LactMed on NCBI Bookshelf. LactMed is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Educational summary of an authoritative source — not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change a medicine while breastfeeding without confirming with your doctor.