WHY OUR BREASTFEEDING TEAS DON'T INCLUDE FENUGREEK
You may have seen many breastfeeding teas list Fenugreek among their ingredients. But while it has been used as a herb for many years, it may be an ingredient to avoid when you are breastfeeding.
FENUGREEK AND ITS USES
Fenugreek seed comes from the Fabaceae plant and originates from the Mediterranean region of Europe. Used widely in Indian and Asian cuisine, it is also used in tea, cosmetics, condiments and soaps. With antioxidant properties and a range of vitamins, there are health benefits from consuming Fenugreek, but there are also some unwanted side effects we should be aware of, particularly for breast feeding mothers."
WHY WE DON’T INCLUDE FENUGREEK IN OUR BREASTFEEDING TEAS.
While fenugreek is quite a good stimulator of milk production in mothers, it has some side effects that warrant its use with caution.
The Breastfeeding Tea Co’s resident naturopath Amanda Hunter shares the side effects to be aware of when consuming this ingredient:
If you have a thyroid problem, particularly hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) Fenugreek can influence the active thyroid hormone your body uses. This can make your hypothyroidism worse and accordingly reduce milk production. Women who are on medication for their thyroid problem, have a normal milk supply while breastfeeding.
Some women have reported side effects from Fenugreek, such as diarrhoea, gas and heartburn and urine and sweat that smells like maple syrup – that smell can show up in baby’s urine too.
If mum’s digestive system is upset, then this can cause similar symptoms in the baby.
Fenugreek is capable of lowering blood sugar, so if you are at all hypoglycemic (suffer from low blood sugar symptoms) Fenugreek could make these symptoms worse, so you would need to monitor your glucose levels.
Fenugreek is a legume and those who have peanut and chickpea allergies may experience a cross-reaction and a possible allergic reaction.
Fenugreek is such a good stimulator of breast milk that the baby can become fussy and develop loose, watery, green stools – a sign of too much foremilk.
We use other herbs that are very good for stimulating milk production but don’t have the above possible side effects.
Our resident naturopath is always available to share more information on fenugreek and why we choose to leave this ingredient out of our breastfeeding tea blends. Please feel free to get in touch via our contact us page if you would like more information on our blends or ingredients.
Still pregnant? We recommend our Pregnancy Tea to prepare your body for birth and breastfeeding
Jordana is a seasoned entrepreneur and the mastermind behind The Breastfeeding Tea Co. Australia's leading brand in the industry. Over the past 11 years, she has built two seven-figure businesses, including her previous venture, Clean Tea. The Breastfeeding Tea Co, launched in 2020 during the pandemic, has supported over 70,000 breastfeeding mothers across Australia with simple, effective, and natural teas and lactation hot chocolates. Recognized for her business acumen, Jordana was named the National Ausmumpreneur of the Year in 2022 and holds 13 Ausmumpreneur trophies. She has also been honored at the Women’s Small Business Champion Awards, Roar Awards, Clean & Conscious Awards, and the She-Com awards. In addition to her business achievements, Jordana is a dedicated board member and volunteer event organizer for a homeless charity. She organizes the annual Heart of Women Awards, raising over $30,000 annually to support the homeless. Jordana's dedication to helping others extends beyond her professional life, as she is also a full-time carer for her father with Alzheimer's and a mother of three. Her journey from a small tea stall in Byron Bay to a multimillion-dollar global brand demonstrates her passion for empowering women through natural products and business mentorship.