Chinese Gentian has the effects of clearing heat and promoting urination, as well as regulating menstruation and promoting lactation. Many postpartum women are often given Chinese Gentian to consume by their family members. So, does consuming Chinese Gentian affect the baby?
Does consuming Chinese Gentian affect the baby?
Consuming Chinese Gentian in moderate amounts does not affect the baby.
Chinese Gentian has a mild taste and a slightly cold medicinal property. It has the effects of clearing heat, promoting urination, and promoting lactation. It can be used to treat symptoms such as painful urination, urinary retention, edema, and insufficient lactation after childbirth. It does not have any significant toxic side effects, and consuming Chinese Gentian in moderate amounts during lactation does not have any adverse effects on the baby.
How much Chinese Gentian should be consumed during lactation?
3-5 grams.
It is generally recommended to consume 3-5 grams of Chinese Gentian. Chinese Gentian is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, and a dosage that is too small may not achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Chinese Gentian has a cold property, and consuming it in excessive amounts may stimulate the gastrointestinal system, causing discomfort or increasing the frequency of urination, which can burden the kidneys.
How can Chinese Gentian be consumed during lactation?
Chinese Gentian and Astragalus Stewed Pig's Trotters
Ingredients: 1 pig's trotter, 5 grams of Chinese Gentian, 30 grams of peanuts, 5 red dates, ginger slices, scallion sections, cooking wine, a pinch of salt.
1. Wash the pig's trotter and chop it into pieces.
2. Wash the Chinese Gentian and peanuts, and remove the pits from the red dates.
3. Blanch the pig's trotter in boiling water to remove any blood, then remove and rinse off any foam.
4. Place all the ingredients in a stewing pot.
5. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat for 1-2 hours until the pig's trotter is tender.
6. Finally, add a pinch of salt to season.
Chinese Gentian and Crucian Carp Soup
Ingredients: 500 grams of crucian carp, 5 grams of Chinese Gentian, cooking wine, ginger slices, salt, as needed.
1. Remove the scales and internal organs from the crucian carp, and wash it.
2. Heat a small amount of oil in a pan, and briefly pan-fry the prepared crucian carp.
3. Add an appropriate amount of salt, cooking wine, ginger slices, and water, and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer until the soup turns milky white.
Who should not consume Chinese Gentian?
Pregnant women
Chinese Gentian has a slightly cold property and the function of promoting circulation. Consuming large amounts of Chinese Gentian during pregnancy may cause miscarriage and the active ingredients in Chinese Gentian may also affect fetal growth and development.
People with qi and yin deficiency
People with deficiency of both qi and yin should be cautious about consuming Chinese Gentian as it has the function of promoting urination and clearing heat. Consuming Chinese Gentian may further deplete both qi and yin, leading to symptoms such as increased thirst, shortness of breath, bloating in the stomach area, pale complexion, fatigue, and dry throat.
People with internal cold
People with internal cold, which refers to the invasion of cold pathogens and stagnation in the five viscera, should be cautious about consuming Chinese Gentian. Chinese Gentian has a sweet taste and a cold property, and consuming it may further aggravate the accumulation of cold pathogens in the body, causing discomfort.
Which foods can affect the baby during lactation?
Foods that are excessively salty or contain excessive amounts of monosodium glutamate
During lactation, it is advisable to avoid consuming foods that are excessively salty or contain excessive amounts of monosodium glutamate. Excessively salty foods can burden the kidneys and may cause increased blood pressure during lactation. Monosodium glutamate contains sodium glutamate, and excessive consumption of it can be transferred to the baby through breast milk, reacting with zinc in the baby's body, leading to zinc deficiency, which can cause taste disorders, loss of appetite, and even intellectual impairment and delayed growth and development in the baby.
Spicy and stimulating foods
Foods such as chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, black pepper, tobacco, alcohol, and fried foods should not be consumed in large amounts during lactation. These spicy and stimulating foods may stimulate the intestines of lactating women, causing diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other discomfort. They may also be transferred to the baby through breast milk, affecting the baby's gastrointestinal health.
Cold foods
Foods such as watermelon, pears, and chilled beverages should not be consumed excessively during lactation. Overconsumption of these cold foods may stimulate the intestines of lactating women, causing gastrointestinal discomfort. The cold nature of these foods may also be transferred to the baby through breast milk, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea and loose stools.
Foods that can suppress lactation
Foods such as malted milk, maltose, hawthorn, and squid should not be consumed during lactation. These foods can affect milk production, leading to insufficient milk supply, which can in turn affect the baby's nutrition and growth.
