Herbs While Breastfeeding: What Official Sources Say
What NIH and the NHS say about herbs while breastfeeding, including fenugreek for milk supply, herbs with infant warnings, and what is simply not known.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read herb safety and interactions before you use anything on this page.
Some herbs have been linked to effects in breastfed infants. St. John's wort, for example, has been reported to cause colic, drowsiness and lethargy in breastfed babies. [1] Goldenseal should not be used while breastfeeding or given to infants. [2] Check with your pediatrician, midwife or pharmacist first. If a baby seems unusually sleepy, is hard to wake or is in distress, call 911; for a swallowing or exposure question, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222. [3]
What this page covers
Herbs are sometimes used while nursing, including herbs promoted to increase milk supply, called galactagogues. This page reports what named sources say. It gives no amounts and does not tell you what to use. The NHS says herbal medicines are not recommended if you are breastfeeding. [4] NCCIH adds that many dietary supplements have not been tested in nursing mothers. [5]The NIH LactMed database is the usual clinician tool for breastfeeding questions. We could not open its records for this page, so nothing below is taken from LactMed itself. See Breastfeeding: Herbs and Supplements and How to Read LactMed and the general pregnancy and breastfeeding guide.
Fenugreek and milk supply
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum, seed) has traditionally been used to stimulate milk production. [6] That is traditional use, not proof.| Question | What the source found | Evidence label |
|---|---|---|
| Does fenugreek increase milk supply? | NCCIH says a few studies have evaluated it, with mixed results. [6] | Mixed |
| Is fenugreek safe in pregnancy? | Not safe in amounts above those in food; linked to increased risk of birth defects. [6] | Evidence of harm (pregnancy) |
| Is it safe for a nursing mother or a baby? | A breastfeeding safety statement is not described in the NCCIH page we read. | Proper evidence not found here |
Proper evidence not found for other milk-supply herbs: we searched the NCCIH herb pages we could read and found a milk-supply discussion only for fenugreek. See Fenugreek.
Herbs with breastfeeding statements from NCCIH
| Herb | Statement |
|---|---|
| St. John's wort | Breastfed infants can experience colic, drowsiness and lethargy. [1] |
| Goldenseal | Should not be used by breastfeeding women. [2] |
| Bitter orange | May not be safe; animal data suggest it might decrease milk production. [7] |
| Black cohosh | May not be safe while breastfeeding. [8] |
| Aloe (by mouth) | May be unsafe while breastfeeding. [9] |
| Yohimbe (by mouth) | Might be unsafe. [10] |
| Garlic supplements | May not be safe above food amounts. [11] |
| Peppermint | Food amounts likely safe; less known about medicinal amounts. [12] |
| Ginkgo, ginger, chamomile, valerian, elderberry, licorice | Little is known about safety while breastfeeding. [13][14][15][16][17][18] |
NCCIH also says menthol from peppermint oil should not be inhaled by or applied to the face of an infant or small child, because it may affect breathing. [12]
How to think about "little is known"
It means studies in nursing mothers and babies are missing. It is not a finding of safety. Ask a pharmacist or lactation clinician, and tell your baby's doctor about any product you use. Quality also varies: some products sold as supplements have contained undeclared prescription drugs. [5] Side effects can be reported through the US reporting portal. [19]Frequently asked questions
Does fenugreek increase breast milk?
NCCIH says studies have had mixed results, so it is uncertain. [6]
Which herbs should breastfeeding mothers avoid?
NCCIH advises against goldenseal and warns about St. John's wort, bitter orange, black cohosh, oral aloe and oral yohimbe. [2][1][7][8][9][10] The list is not complete.
Is herbal tea okay while nursing?
The sources we read for this page address teas mainly in pregnancy, where the NHS suggests limits. [20] For breastfeeding, ask your clinician. Proper evidence not found on teas in the sources we read.
Can an herb pass to my baby through milk?
St. John's wort effects in breastfed infants are reported by NCCIH. [1] For most herbs the sources we read do not say.
Who should I ask?
A pharmacist, lactation consultant or your baby's pediatrician. [4]
References
- NCCIH. St. John’s Wort: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Goldenseal: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- Poison Control (America’s Poison Centers). Home page. Available at www.poison.org. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS. Herbal medicines and complementary therapies (page last reviewed 1 May 2026). Available at www.nhs.uk. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Fenugreek: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Bitter Orange: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Black Cohosh: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Aloe Vera: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Yohimbe: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Garlic: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Peppermint Oil: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Ginkgo: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Ginger: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Chamomile: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Valerian: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Elderberry: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Licorice Root: Usefulness and Safety. Available at www.nccih.nih.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements. Available at www.fda.gov. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS. Foods to avoid in pregnancy (page last reviewed 15 June 2026). Available at www.nhs.uk. Read 2026-10-23.