Study finds physicians need to better recognize use of herbal supplements while breastfeeding

Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 05 Aug 2013 - 0:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Study finds physicians need to better recognize use of herbal supplements while breastfeeding

In an article published in this month's issue of Pediatrics In Review, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) stress the importance of physicians recognizing that many mothers use herbal supplements while breastfeeding in order to make accurate health assessments for both mother and child.

In the US, no existing regulatory guidelines set a standardized risk assessment of herbal supplement use during breastfeeding. Because of the highly limited number of studies on herb use during lactation, numerous resources have mixed reports and safety recommendations, making it confusing for both mother and clinician.

After completing a systematic review of human lactation and herbal medicine literature, the researchers found poor methodology in the few available studies and concluded that further research is needed to assess the prevalence, efficacy and safety of commonly used herbs during breastfeeding.

"It is important for physicians and clinicians to be more aware that mothers are using herbal supplements and how vital it is to ask the mothers, who are seeking a doctor's opinion when having trouble breastfeeding, about their use before making an assessment," said senior author Paula Gardiner, MD, MPH, assistant professor at BUSM and a physician of family medicine at Boston Medical Center.

Although there is little scientific evidence to support the efficacy or safety of herbal supplements, it is a common practice both nationally and internationally.

"The use of herbal supplements while breastfeeding is two-sided - there are benefits, but there are also safety concerns," she added. "About 18 percent of the US population use herbs and dietary supplements. We just want to make sure physicians and clinicians are aware of this prevalent use when communicating with breastfeeding mothers about their health."

Herbal remedies may be used to increase the milk supply, relieve engorgement, treat mastitis, or for other therapeutic uses unrelated to lactation.

"Since there is very limited research, it is difficult to develop accurate information on the safety and effectiveness of specific herbs during breastfeeding," said Gardiner. "It is crucial that more research is conducted in this area, including national prevalence studies and safety and efficacy studies."

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our complementary medicine / alternative medicine section for the latest news on this subject.

Gardiner is supported by grant K07AT005463 from the National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine or the National Institutes of Health.

Boston University Medical Center

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA

Boston University Medical Center. "Study finds physicians need to better recognize use of herbal supplements while breastfeeding." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 5 Aug. 2013. Web.
5 Aug. 2013. APA

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.

'Study finds physicians need to better recognize use of herbal supplements while breastfeeding'

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam). We reserve the right to amend opinions where we deem necessary.

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

View the original article here

Study finds physicians need to better recognize use of herbal supplements while breastfeeding

Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 05 Aug 2013 - 0:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Study finds physicians need to better recognize use of herbal supplements while breastfeeding

In an article published in this month's issue of Pediatrics In Review, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) stress the importance of physicians recognizing that many mothers use herbal supplements while breastfeeding in order to make accurate health assessments for both mother and child.

In the US, no existing regulatory guidelines set a standardized risk assessment of herbal supplement use during breastfeeding. Because of the highly limited number of studies on herb use during lactation, numerous resources have mixed reports and safety recommendations, making it confusing for both mother and clinician.

After completing a systematic review of human lactation and herbal medicine literature, the researchers found poor methodology in the few available studies and concluded that further research is needed to assess the prevalence, efficacy and safety of commonly used herbs during breastfeeding.

"It is important for physicians and clinicians to be more aware that mothers are using herbal supplements and how vital it is to ask the mothers, who are seeking a doctor's opinion when having trouble breastfeeding, about their use before making an assessment," said senior author Paula Gardiner, MD, MPH, assistant professor at BUSM and a physician of family medicine at Boston Medical Center.

Although there is little scientific evidence to support the efficacy or safety of herbal supplements, it is a common practice both nationally and internationally.

"The use of herbal supplements while breastfeeding is two-sided - there are benefits, but there are also safety concerns," she added. "About 18 percent of the US population use herbs and dietary supplements. We just want to make sure physicians and clinicians are aware of this prevalent use when communicating with breastfeeding mothers about their health."

Herbal remedies may be used to increase the milk supply, relieve engorgement, treat mastitis, or for other therapeutic uses unrelated to lactation.

"Since there is very limited research, it is difficult to develop accurate information on the safety and effectiveness of specific herbs during breastfeeding," said Gardiner. "It is crucial that more research is conducted in this area, including national prevalence studies and safety and efficacy studies."

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our complementary medicine / alternative medicine section for the latest news on this subject.

Gardiner is supported by grant K07AT005463 from the National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine or the National Institutes of Health.

Boston University Medical Center

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA

Boston University Medical Center. "Study finds physicians need to better recognize use of herbal supplements while breastfeeding." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 5 Aug. 2013. Web.
5 Aug. 2013. APA

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.

'Study finds physicians need to better recognize use of herbal supplements while breastfeeding'

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam). We reserve the right to amend opinions where we deem necessary.

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

View the original article here

Health Tips & Info : Vitamins and Supplements to Help Insomnia.

Insomnia is a disorder that most people suffer from at point or another. For some people insomnia is caused by a hectic period or at work or a time of personal stress and goes away after work dies down or the stress is resolved. But for other people insomnia is a chronic condition that can have serious effects on their health. Going without sleep for a long period of time can cause a loss of mental function, clumsiness, impaired judgment, and other problems. That’s why if you have had trouble sleeping for more than a week you should really try taking something to help you sleep. Most people are afraid to try prescription sleep medicine because they don’t want to get addicted. Even over the counter medicines that are made to help people sleep are avoided by people that don’t want to become dependent on a sleeping pill. There are herbs and supplements that you can take to help you sleep if you are routinely having trouble sleeping. Because they are all natural they are not habit forming and you won’t have to worry about any side effects or about becoming addicted to them. Herbal sleeping remedies are usually cheaper than prescription medications and easier to get too. The best herbal supplements to cure insomnia are kava kava, melatonin, and valerian root. Kava kava and valerian root can be taken in a tea form or in a pill form. All three of these supplements should be taken about an hour before you want to actually sleep so that they have time to be processed and broken down by your body. You will usually start to feel sleepy within a half an hour of taking the recommended dose of these herbs.

View the original article here