Peppermint EO not safe for mamas.

[Red'N'Curly]

Hi ladies! I've seen a lot of people suggest peppermint EO for hair growth. I just wanted to remind us all that herbal remedies have side effects too. Peppermint is used to dry up breastmilk, and frequent use on your scalp could cause supply issues. This just happened to my SIL who was telling me how fussy her baby was. When I told her to stop the peppermint, her supply returned. And personally I can't use one dose without my baby complaining that night.

Peppermint EO can also cause non productive contractions in late pregnancy for some women.

Just a friendly reminder to research any new herb before using. Love!

[Adiro]

Jesus, are you serious? I always assumed that it's safe, because I drink mint tea daily.... Now the mint that I drink also has some eo in it, right.... And in the same time I am supplementing with Mothers milk, and fenugreek and milk thistle, and wondering why I am producing less and less....really could that be th mint?

Big thank you for posting this

[Upside Down]

I had no idea, thank you for posting this! Do you have some good reference website about herbs/EOs and breastfeeding? I would love to get more info on other herbs as well! :blossom:

[Red'N'Curly]

are you serious? I always assumed that it's safe, because I drink mint tea daily.... Now the mint that I drink also has some eo in it, right.... And in the same time I am supplementing with Mothers milk, and fenugreek and milk thistle, and wondering why I am producing less and less....really could that be th mint?

Big thank you for posting this

Sorry you're having issues. Being a mom is hard enough without additional problems! Cutting out the tea might be worth trying, though I think you'd have to be pretty sensitive for one cup a day to cause problems (a midwife friend recommends at 4-6 cups a day to dry up milk for loss and weaning). Good luck!

[Red'N'Curly]

I had no idea, thank you for posting this! Do you have some good reference website about herbs/EOs and breastfeeding? I would love to get more info on other herbs as well! :blossom:

Sorry, I don't. If you find one please share it!

[lindsayhv]

Wow! I've been using peppermint oil in my conditioner/shampoo. I am 27 weeks pregnant and am at a high risk for preterm labor!

[Islandgrrl]

Here is some information about the use of essential oils during pregnancy. Note that peppermint is NOT on the list of contraindicated oils for pregnancy. While it may have an impact (a sometimes desired one) on lactation, it is not considered unsafe to use during pregnancy.

Just as you would do with any drug, it is really important to thoroughly research each of the essential oils you are considering, prior to use to determine the safest manner of use for each oil that is not directly contraindicated. Please make sure that the sources you are using for your research are reputable. An essential oil distributor armed with testimonials is not a reliable source of information. There are publications out there that offer guidance based on science and research and have data to back it all up.

Remember that not all natural substances are safe, and those that are considered safe are not necessarily safe in all circumstances.

http://www.naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety/#pregnancy
https://www.naha.org/assets/uploads/PregnancyGuidelines-Oct11.pdf
http://www.naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety

[lindsayhv]

Thanks islandgrrl. That's very helpful!

[Islandgrrl]

You're welcome. :blossom:

[Peonyrose]

If peppermint tea or shampoo or candies were enough to cause problems then the human reach would have died out long ago. Seriously, there is enough scare mongering going on for pregnant women in developed countries without this sort of stuff, even if well meant.

[meteor]

Here is some information about the use of essential oils during pregnancy. Note that peppermint is NOT on the list of contraindicated oils for pregnancy. While it may have an impact (a sometimes desired one) on lactation, it is not considered unsafe to use during pregnancy.

Just as you would do with any drug, it is really important to thoroughly research each of the essential oils you are considering, prior to use to determine the safest manner of use for each oil that is not directly contraindicated. Please make sure that the sources you are using for your research are reputable. An essential oil distributor armed with testimonials is not a reliable source of information. There are publications out there that offer guidance based on science and research and have data to back it all up.

Remember that not all natural substances are safe, and those that are considered safe are not necessarily safe in all circumstances.

http://www.naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety/#pregnancy
https://www.naha.org/assets/uploads/PregnancyGuidelines-Oct11.pdf
http://www.naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety

Excellent post! :applause
I think I'm used to constantly remind about how it's important to dilute many EOs accordingly to avoid a chemical burn and how photosensitizing some EOs are, but the pregnancy issue is a very important one that should always be remembered. Many EOs (not just peppermint) are not recommended for pregnant/lactating women, and any use of anything homeopathic, any supplements, EOs etc should be approved by your doctor, regardless.

[truepeacenik]

If peppermint tea or shampoo or candies were enough to cause problems then the human reach would have died out long ago. Seriously, there is enough scare mongering going on for pregnant women in developed countries without this sort of stuff, even if well meant.
Direct application of oils, diluted or not is very different from tea and extract made candies.

[Nightshade]

Direct application of oils, diluted or not is very different from tea and extract made candies.

^ This.

The EO blend I store for my oil blend (I cut it with the carrier oils later) was potent enough to give me a hell of a chemical burn. It's really important to know how far you have to dilute them just to be safe. Off the top of my head, I think the ratio of potency for 1 dram of most essential oils is something like 8 GALLONS of tea. The scale is so totally different they may as well be on different planets.

[Upside Down]

If peppermint tea or shampoo or candies were enough to cause problems then the human reach would have died out long ago. Seriously, there is enough scare mongering going on for pregnant women in developed countries without this sort of stuff, even if well meant.

I agree completely about tea, shampoo and candies. However, there is just not enough research being done for natural remedies in pregnancy, as compared with real drugs. This results in more drug usage in pregnancy. My own example: a urinary tract infection that could have been easily treated with thymol and carvacrol from oregano, and there is a commercial product that I used before with amazing resultas, but not tested for pregnant women and everyone is washing their hands.
And rightfully so, since there is anegdotal evidence (?) of oregano tea being used to induce menstuation... What woukd it do to a pregnant woman?

And you would rather not risk it. Resulting in antibiotics, and I am still fighting the UTI.

We need more research in these areas!

[Red'N'Curly]

If peppermint tea or shampoo or candies were enough to cause problems then the human reach would have died out long ago. Seriously, there is enough scare mongering going on for pregnant women in developed countries without this sort of stuff, even if well meant.

I apologize if this thread came across as fear mongering. That certainly wasn't my intention!

Just for the record, I've birthed 2 children naturally with midwives. The second baby was a home birth in my bathtub. I used essential oils and herbal teas throughout my pregnancy and even used peppermint to help flip my breech baby. Labor lasted 12 DAYS and I trusted my baby and body. Encouraging women to be afraid of pregnancy is the last thing I would do!

Though peppermint EO can cause non productive contractions I've yet to see a link between that and miscarriage. I think it's mostly just uncomfortable, but something that you may want to avoid with a high risk pregnancy, just to be safe.

The link between peppermint and breastmilk is a real, established side effect, and peppermint is often used intentionally to dry up milk.

Again, I apologize if I came across as condemning or a fear mongerer. I had just watched my SIL struggle with supply because she didn't know about peppermint, and thought a quick note might help some LHC'er. :)

[Rushli]

For me even having a peppermint flavored creamer, was enough to drop my supply. I always had a temperamental supply, so I avoided all forms of peppermint, not just EOs. I can see how the title with a general statement of it being unsafe for moms might lead to the fear mongering idea, but getting the information out there that peppermint drops most breastfeeding moms' supply is a kind and caring thing to do.