A report from Italy describes a case where breastfed babies were made ill because their mothers were drinking large quantities of an herbal tea that was supposed to increase milk supply [Acta Paediatrica, 1994 vol. 83]. The tea contained licorice, fennel, anise and galega officinalis. It is known that both anise and fennel can get into breastmilk and they contain essential oils that can cause neurological symptoms. Two babies aged 15 and 20 days had been vomiting, became lethargic, had weak cries and poor sucking. One of the mothers also said she was drowsy and weak. Breastfeeding and herbal teas were stopped and babies and the mother rapidly improved. When breastmilk was restarted after two days, both babies were fine.
-AIMS Journal, 7(1), Spring 1995
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 1 Issue 32, Aug 6, 1999)
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