Chamomile tea is a popular beverage prepared by steeping dried chamomile flowers in boiling water. It is widely popular for its calming effects and distinctive therapeutic properties. You may consider taking chamomile tea when breastfeeding for its anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-depression, and lactogeniciXA substance or hormone that induces the production of milk effects. However, most of these effects aren’t well researched.
Hence, the effect of chamomile tea on lactating women and their nursing babies is still unclear. Keep reading to know more about the safety of chamomile tea for lactating women as a natural remedy, its effects on breast milk supply, possible benefits, and precautions you should observe while drinking it as part of your postpartum care diet.
Is It Safe To Consume Chamomile Tea When Breastfeeding?
The US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) categorizes chamomile as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) to use as a spice, seasoning, or flavoring agent (1). However, the safety of chamomile tea for lactating mothers and nursing infants lacks clinical evidence. Therefore, consult a doctor or lactation expert before adding chamomile tea to your diet. Your healthcare provider can also guide you about the safe intake limit of the tea.
Does Chamomile Tea Increase Breast Milk Supply?
Anecdotal evidence suggests that chamomile tea has galactagogueiXA food or milk that increases the flow of breastmilk effects (1) (2). But, the effects may vary among breastfeeding mothers. There is also insufficient research to establish its effects on breast milk production. The best way to increase milk production is through nursing on demand, or pumping regularly. Hannah Whittaker, an expert pediatric and pregnancy dietitian from Liverpool, England, says, “At present, some studies have shown varying evidence that chamomile tea can increase breastmilk supply. Due to this, it is unethical to say that taking chamomile tea will increase milk supply. I wouldn’t advocate breastfeeding mums using chamomile tea to increase their milk supply. The way to do so would be to use a breast pump between feeding and massage the breast to stimulate milk flow.”
Possible Benefits of Chamomile Tea When Lactating
Being one of the herbal remedies, consumption of chamomile tea may provide the following benefits to breastfeeding mothers.
- May give you a good sleep:A randomized clinical trial demonstrated the possible effectiveness of chamomile tea in alleviating depression and improving sleep quality in postpartum women (3). This effect is attributed to apigenin, a flavonoid that may promote sleep (4).
- May control anxiety and panic issues: A few pieces of research suggest that chamomile oil may have antidepressant and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects that can help provide anxiety relief (4) (5).
- May boost immunity: Some herbalists claim that chamomile tea can boost immunity and help fight infections associated with cold. However, clinical studies to validate this claim are insufficient (4).
- May improve digestive health: Chamomile has been used traditionally to treat gastrointestinal issues, such as indigestion, gas, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
- May enhance overall health: Research studies indicate the anti-diabetic and cardioprotectiveiXA substance that helps protect coronary arteries and the heart from an injury effects of chamomile tea (6) (7) (8). Bioactive compounds, like apigenin, quercetin, patuletin, luteolin, etc., have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects responsible for these benefits (9). Apart from these, flavonoids, like those found in chamomile tea, may help manage other conditions, such as osteoporosisiXA medical condition that makes bones brittle and weak (4) (10).
Consult your healthcare provider regarding the use of chamomile tea with a well-balanced breastfeeding diet to reap its health benefits.
How To Select Chamomile Tea?
Supposed healthy beverages are found aplenty in every food market. However, if you consume chamomile tea, ensure you buy a good quality variety and store it correctly.
- Buy tea manufactured by a reliable brand and sold at a trustworthy store. It ensures that you get unadulterated chamomile tea processed with hygiene standards. Go for brands that are USDA-certified organic.
- Prefer tea bags to loose tea to avoid contamination. Loose chamomile tea sold in herbal stores may have contaminants, like spores, that may trigger allergic reactions. Teabags may minimize the risk of contamination. If you like loose tea, then choose a factory-sealed pack.
- Check the ingredient list for added ingredients. Several over-the-counter herbal teas contain more than one herb and other added ingredients (11). For instance, some common additives you may find in chamomile tea are star anise, buckthorn bark, comfrey, and senna.
Store the tea bag or loose tea in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
Precautions To Take While Consuming Chamomile Tea During Lactation
Observe the following precautions while making chamomile tea a part of your diet.
- Look out for any side effects when consuming the tea for the first time. Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, and abdominal discomfort.
- Prepare the tea as directed on the pack. Highly concentrated tea may cause nausea and vomiting.
- If you are on prescribed medication during lactation, then let the doctor know that you consume chamomile tea. It can help avoid any possible drug interactions.
- Do not pick chamomile tea or any herbal tea advertised to boost milk production without proper guidance. Such products are likely to have more than one herb and some added ingredients that may not be safe during lactation.
- Discontinue consuming chamomile tea if you develop allergies, such as wheezing, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, and skin rash (12). Chamomile allergy is likely to happen in individuals allergic to other plants in the daisy family, such as ragweed and chrysanthemum (4) (13).
Stop consuming the tea and consult a doctor if you notice any allergy symptoms in the baby or if the baby does not seem to be getting adequate milk.
Can Chamomile Tea Help With Colic In A Baby?
Whittaker opines, “Colic is a symptom, not a clinical condition and the cause of colic is unknown. It is thought that it may be due to gastrointestinal development, which improves with age, but this is not clear. A study from 2007 did show some improvement in symptoms for babies with colic when given 150ml of chamomile tea per day (however this was combined with other herbs). At present, in clinical practice, I would not recommend chamomile tea to my clients.”
Consuming chamomile tea when breastfeeding is usually considered safe. However, it is good to check with your healthcare provider before starting its regular intake. Chamomile tea may be seen as a beverage that promotes stress relief and relaxation. It is also known to improve breast milk production, but more research is required to establish the claim. Nevertheless, it is a good source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that may benefit overall health by improving digestion, immunity, and also be an effective sleep aid. But ensure you know the safe limits and choose a reliable brand before purchasing chamomile tea to enjoy its benefits.
Key Pointers
- Chamomile tea is known for its calming effects and distinctive therapeutic properties. It is recommended for breastfeeding mothers because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-depression, and lactogenic effects.
- It is said that chamomile tea has galactagogue effects, but there is insufficient evidence to prove this.
- Chamomile tea, however, may improve your sleep, control anxiety and panic issues, boost immunity and digestive health, and help with overall health.
- Make sure to consume good quality chamomile tea from a reputed brand and choose tea bags over loose tea to prevent contamination.
- Consumption of chamomile tea may cause side effects, and discontinue its consumption if allergic reactions occur.
Take a glance at the amazing health benefits of chamomile tea! Learn how it can help improve digestion, reduce stress, and more from this informative video!
