Use of motherwort during breastfeeding

Properties of motherwort

Leonurus cordial - a natural sedative

Motherwort (Leonurus) is a herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family. Other names: heart grass, heart grass, dog nettle. In herbal medicine, the apical part with flowers is used. Due to the content of alkaloids, iridoids, glycosides, bitterness and flavonoids, motherwort has the following effects:

sedative (calms the nervous system);
hypotensive (lowers blood pressure);
cardiotonic (normalizes heart rate);
antispasmodic (relieves smooth muscle spasms).

Indications for use

In this regard, the use of motherwort is indicated:

for insomnia, irritability, increased nervous excitability, panic attacks, headaches;
for hypertension and ischemia;
for angina pectoris, cardioneurosis;
for spasms, colic, functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

Comparison with other herbal remedies

Other plants have similar effects to motherwort: mint, chamomile, valerian. In comparison, motherwort has a more pronounced effect on cardiovascular disorders and motherwort is less allergic .

Personal experience of using motherwort for vegetative-vascular dystonia is positive. 40 drops of motherwort tincture during panic attacks lower blood pressure and normalize heartbeat. The use of valerian tincture did not provide sufficient effect for the same symptoms.

Is it possible to use motherwort while breastfeeding?

Being a mother is always a reconnaissance in force. No matter what they write in books, what doctors and experienced parents say, every woman goes through her own path of maternal adaptation.

Usability of application

Factors of maternal adaptation:

Constant variability of the situation. Young children change quickly, requiring changes from the mother as well.
Child's cry. Due to the child’s inability to express his needs in another way.
Sense of routine (“Groundhog Day”).
Increased responsibility.
Constant switching from one type of activity to another.
Suspiciousness and concern for the child. Caused by a lack of understanding of the baby’s actions and emotions.
Redistribution of family roles.
Neglect of personal needs (sleep, communication, personal space, self-care, usual activities).

The result of exposure to these factors is often insomnia, headache, irritability, as well as the risk of exacerbation of existing cardiovascular problems.

Breastfeeding is of great importance for a newly born baby, the formation of which largely depends on the emotional state of the mother. Maintaining a woman’s emotional balance during this period is the most important task. Preparations based on motherwort are one of the popular remedies that have a beneficial effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Safety of use

In the official directories of the Association for the Promotion and Cultural and Scientific Research of Breastfeeding, LactMed and others, there is no information about the effect of motherwort on lactation and the condition of the child. At the same time, many years of experience of pediatricians and consultants of AKEV (Association of Natural Feeding Consultants) indicates the safety of using motherwort-based preparations during lactation.

General recommendations for use

When consuming motherwort while breastfeeding, it is recommended:

preliminary consultation with a doctor;
use of alcohol-free forms of the drug;
compliance with the minimum dosage;
lack of regular use (for example, only before bedtime);
monitoring the child’s reaction (if lethargy or an allergic reaction appears in the baby, the drug should be stopped).

The baby's weight and the amount of breast milk he consumes are important. The greater the weight of the child, the less influence the medicinal substances supplied with milk have on him. A child who has already been introduced to complementary foods consumes less breast milk, and therefore less medications supplied with it.

Indications for use

Motherwort is one of the mildest and safest sedatives, which doctors often prescribe during lactation. The main indications for its use during breastfeeding are:

decreased breast milk production;
stress, postpartum depression, sleep disorders;
tachycardia, shortness of breath;
increase or decrease in blood pressure.

Benefits during lactation

When this drug is taken correctly during lactation, significant improvements in the woman’s health are observed. Let's take a closer look at the benefits of motherwort during lactation.

Normalizes mental state , helping to cope with postpartum depression and irritability. A course of taking motherwort improves mood and gives peace of mind, relieves excessive unjustified anxiety.
The drug normalizes sleep. If you don't get enough sleep, taking motherwort helps you get a good night's sleep in a short time, which is extremely important for a nursing mother, and if you have insomnia, motherwort will help you fall asleep faster. Most women noted that after treatment with this remedy, sleep became strong and healthy, and the next morning they did not feel depressed or lethargic.
This remedy also normalizes the functioning of blood vessels and the heart , which is especially important for women suffering from shortness of breath, tachycardia, and surges in blood pressure.

Important! The benefits the body receives from motherwort are also reflected in the process of producing breast milk: there is more milk, as a result of which the baby will not experience a lack of nutrition.

Release form

In pharmacies, motherwort preparations are found in various forms:

pills;
alcohol tincture;
dry grass;
powder in filter bags.

Motherwort tablets

Tablets are a universal form of taking the drug in any circumstances. The low content of active substance in the tablets allows you to adjust the dosage depending on the situation. General recommendations for taking tablets are 1-2 tablets 2-3 times a day with meals. Duration of use - no more than three weeks.

Alcohol tinctures of motherwort

The alcoholic tincture of motherwort contains 70% ethyl alcohol, which makes its taste specific and also limits its use in children, pregnant and lactating women. Take tincture 30-40 drops 3-4 times a day. The drops are first dissolved in the required amount of water. The duration of treatment is limited to three weeks.

Dry motherwort grass

Dried motherwort herb is used to prepare a water infusion, which is consumed both as a drink and for bathing.

Infusion recipe for internal use:

Two tsp. dry motherwort herb pour 1 cup of boiling water.
Cover the glass with a lid and wait 20 minutes.
Strain the resulting infusion through a sieve or cheesecloth.
Add boiled water to the infusion so that the total volume of the drink is 1 glass.
Drink the resulting infusion 0.5 cup 30 minutes before meals 2–4 times a day.

Recipe for bath infusion:

Pour one hundred grams of dry motherwort herb into 1 liter of water.
Place on the fire, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
Turn off the stove and leave to steep under the lid for another 20 minutes.
Strain the resulting broth through cheesecloth or a sieve and add to a bath with a water temperature of 36–37 ° C.
Take a bath daily for 20 minutes, preferably at the end of the day. Course 15–20 days.

A warm bath with motherwort has a relaxing effect and has no contraindications during lactation or pregnancy.

Motherwort powder in filter bags

Motherwort powder in filter bags is a convenient form for use at home or in the office. To prepare a healing drink, you only need boiling water. Brew one filter bag with boiling water directly in a cup, wait 7-10 minutes and enjoy your herbal tea. If you are not allergic, you can add a spoonful of honey to the infusion that has cooled to 40 o C. It is better for nursing mothers to limit themselves to two cups of drink per day.

The collective wisdom of my fellow mothers of the same age is for using motherwort. Some take motherwort baths with their children, combining a relaxing procedure with daily hygiene. Others drink tea when putting the child to sleep for a long time, so that they themselves can quickly fall asleep and regain strength during these 2-3 hours of rest.

Recommended dose

Before you start taking the drug, you should consult your doctor. The specialist will determine whether motherwort can be used in a particular case and will clarify the dosage of the drug, because the amount of medicine indicated in the instructions is not always suitable for a nursing mother. To avoid the development of negative reactions, when breastfeeding a woman is strongly recommended not to exceed the indicated dose of the drug:

When taking motherwort tea, no more than 2 cups per day are allowed, with an interval of at least 8 hours. Infuse 1 filter bag in 200 g of boiling water for a quarter of an hour, covering the dishes with a napkin.
When brewing dry raw materials, it is enough to limit yourself to a teaspoon of herbs.
When using tablets, take no more than one, maximum two pills per day.

Take motherwort regularly for 3 weeks, but no more. An overdose can negatively affect the mother’s condition and affect the child. The risk of allergies and dyspeptic disorders cannot be excluded.

If treatment with motherwort is not suitable, and you cannot calm down on your own, taking a warm bath with the addition of motherwort decoction is a good alternative. Alcohol infusion is also suitable; it is added in the amount of 2 tablespoons. An unobtrusive herbal aroma and the effect of healing components through the skin promote relaxation and relieve tension.

Contraindications for use

Like most herbal remedies, motherwort is a relatively safe remedy. However, you should refrain from using drugs based on it if you have:

allergic reaction or individual intolerance to this herb;
hypotension (blood pressure below 110/70 mmHg);
bradycardia (pulse rate less than 60 beats per minute);
organic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcers, gastritis);
work that requires increased concentration.

Side effects

With the correct dosage there are no side effects. In case of overdose or long-term use, the following side effects may develop:

nausea and vomiting;
weakness and dizziness;
bloody stools.

Drug interactions

Motherwort enhances the effect of sedative and hypotonic drugs, and therefore is often prescribed in complex therapy . In relation to other drugs, motherwort does not have a significant effect.

Methods of application

When breastfeeding, the use of alcohol tincture is strictly prohibited, as it contains up to 70% alcohol, which penetrates into the milk and adversely affects the baby’s health.
Motherwort in the form of tablets is very convenient to use, but before using them, you should discuss with your doctor the recommended doses and duration of use of the drug.

The best way is to use tea bags. Moreover, nursing mothers are advised to brew weak tea and drink it in small portions several times a day.

Reviews and recommendations for use

Motherwort is a popular remedy for pregnant women and nursing mothers. At a minimum dosage, the drug has no effect on the baby. Many note its effective effect when taken at night: the drug helps to sleep and eliminates tension headaches.

Experiences of pregnant and lactating women

Greetings to all!
Now I have a job called Mom) Sometimes even now I am very excitable in the evening, but what can I do if such sedatives are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation. But everyone knows that all illnesses and sores appear after stress and severe anxiety.
After consulting with her specialist, she advised me to drink motherwort, but with several BUTs: - if you are not breastfeeding rarely enough, only a couple of times a day, and at night; – if taken not often and in moderation, at least every other day; – watch the baby’s reaction after the first dose of pills; if lethargy and increased drowsiness are noticeable, stop taking motherwort. I haven’t seen anything like this with our son. Now I’m trying to feed my son more often food from the common table, including porridge and soup. That's why I always have motherwort tablets in my medicine cabinet.
The package contains 5 blisters of 10 tablets. On the blister itself there is an expiration date, a shelf life of 2 years. I started taking one tablet after lunch, and sometimes I took another one in the evening. Motherwort also does not cause any side effects or addiction. The motherwort works in some interesting way; the excitement and excitability slowly go away. But the effect feels good! The Leonurus Extract tablet contains sugar and potato starch. Therefore, the tablet tastes a little sweet, there is no bitterness. I have been familiar with this sedative since ancient times, when I was studying. It happened that I simply couldn’t sleep before the exams, and just before taking the exam I was just kaput, I was shaking all over. Then some people swallowed valerian tablets, some motherwort, almost everyone had these sedatives with them just in case.
olgaFar
https://otzovik.com/review_2043944.html

I had to drink motherwort forte during pregnancy. During my second pregnancy, my work environment was not easy, or rather, it was unhealthy. And I had to be very nervous, and this has a very bad effect on the well-being of mother and child. The therapist from the antenatal clinic recommended that I take motherwort forte in tablets; the use of motherwort in drops said that it was not advisable, since it contains alcohol. Motherwort forte is prescribed for nervousness, irritability, as well as fatigue and insomnia, I had all this bouquet. When I bought motherwort forte at the pharmacy, I read in the instructions that it is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation. But after reading the reviews and talking with the therapist and gynecologist, I calmed down and started taking this drug. Motherwort forte, in addition to motherwort, contains vitamins B6 and Magnesium, thanks to which it has a relaxing and calming effect. When taking motherwort forte, my sleep improved, and in general I became more stress-resistant, stopped crying and got worked up over little things.
Natalia Natalchenko
https://flap.rf/Medicine/Motherwort_Forte

When you are just planning a child or during pregnancy you are thinking about how you will study with him, read books - motherhood seems so wonderful. But when you are faced with the fact that your sweet child falls to the ground in the middle of the sidewalk and begins to squeal, and for no reason, you understand that without drugs you will not survive this age. Effect: After the last course I felt like a human being. Perhaps this is partly suggestibility. But the main thing for me is the result. I'm pretty sure M&Ms wouldn't help me. I stop getting wound up over trifles; accordingly, the child, seeing an imperturbable mother, gradually moves away from hysterical behavior, since he does not receive any reaction. My husband doesn’t look at me like I’m an alien either. I’m just a very calm person, but here he got it just for talking to me. Inside, it’s as if this lump disappears, around which negativity is wrapped all day. I calmly react to hysterics and some small everyday moments. I don't want to sleep because of them. On the contrary, I get enough sleep in less time - that’s what restful sleep means. Conclusion - I recommend it as first aid when your nerves are not yet completely gone. A drug of plant origin, especially since it has long been used in folk medicine.
Sleep sugar
https://irecommend.ru/content/spokoistvie-tolko-spokoistvie-45

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion

Popular pediatrician Evgeny Komarovsky believes that “a child needs a healthy and happy mother more than mother’s milk,” and also recommends mandatory consultation with a specialist before long-term use of any medications.