Is Hollyhock 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 Hollyhock. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.
Summary of use during breastfeeding
The constituents of hollyhock (Alcea rosea, Althaea rosea) leaf have not been well described, but it is believed to contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, and tannins. Few studies on hollyhock related to breastfeeding exist, but one moderately well done study found that a compress of hollyhock leaf sped resolution of engorgement during breastfeeding.
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
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
A nonblinded, randomized trial of hollyhock leaf compresses in addition to warm compresses followed by cold compresses was compared to the warm and cold compresses alone in the treatment of breast engorgement. Nursing mothers completed the procedures on their own and rated their own levels of engorgement based on a standard checklist. Twenty women in each group completed the study. Although both groups had a lessening of their engorgement scores over the 6-day study period, the mothers who used the hollyhock compresses had a more rapid decrease in engorgement.[1]
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Hollyhock” (LM1300). 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.