Last update: Oct. 19, 2014

Rooibos

Very Low Risk for breastfeeding


Safe. Compatible.
Not risky for breastfeeding or infant.

Shrub which is native from South Africa that is used as a tea since 1930. Constituents are: flavonoids, antioxidants like aspalathin, quercetin, rutin, nothofagin, luteolin, orientin among others, phenol acids, low tannin. None has shown to have a caffeine-like effect.

Absorption through the gut and skin is poor. Anti-oxidant property has not been found to be higher in the milk from mothers who have taken rooibos or whatever herb.

Effectiveness on traditional indications like antispasmodic or sedative effect has not been shown. According to the Commission E of the German Ministry of Health it is an useless medication.

Commonly used in South Africa. Despite of a lack of scientific evidence, it seems to be harmless with a not abusive consumption.

At latest update, relevant information on excretion into breast milk was not found.

Moderate and occasional use is recommended while breastfeeding.

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Rooibos since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM´s pediatricians and pharmacists, and are based on updated scientific publications.
It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Rooibos is also known as


Groups

Rooibos belongs to these groups or families:

References

  1. Kavurt S, Bas AY, Aydemir O, Yucel H, Isikoglu S, Demirel N. The effect of galactagogue herbal tea on oxidant and anti-oxidant status of human milk. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2013 Abstract
  2. Sinisalo M, Enkovaara AL, Kivistö KT. Possible hepatotoxic effect of rooibos tea: a case report. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2010 Abstract
  3. Joubert E, Gelderblom WC, De Beer D. Phenolic contribution of South African herbal teas to a healthy diet. Nat Prod Commun. 2009 Abstract
  4. Stalmach A, Mullen W, Pecorari M, Serafini M, Crozier A. Bioavailability of C-linked dihydrochalcone and flavanone glucosides in humans following ingestion of unfermented and fermented rooibos teas. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Abstract
  5. Huang M, du Plessis J, du Preez J, Hamman J, Viljoen A. Transport of aspalathin, a Rooibos tea flavonoid, across the skin and intestinal epithelium. Phytother Res. 2008 Abstract
  6. McKay DL, Blumberg JB. A review of the bioactivity of South African herbal teas: rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia). Phytother Res. 2007 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Shimamura N, Miyase T, Umehara K, Warashina T, Fujii S. Phytoestrogens from Aspalathus linearis. Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)

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