Book Review
The Nursing Mother's Herbal
by Sheila Humphrey, BSc, RN, IBCLC
Fairview Press, 2003
Available from the LLLI Online Store.
Reviewed by Diana West, IBCLC
Gaithersburg MD USA
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 21 No. 3, May-June 2004, p. 100
The use of herbs and natural remedies during lactation dates back to the earliest breastfeeding
mothers and has become increasingly popular over the last decade. Yet, until now, there has been no
comprehensive, accurate, well-researched resource on the topic, resulting in a vast hole in the
lactation literature. When I learned that Sheila Humphrey, RN, IBCLC, and LLL Leader, was writing a
book about herbal use during breastfeeding, I was overjoyed. She has been long recognized as one of
the foremost authorities on herbal use during breastfeeding and such a book is sorely needed by
lactation professionals and mothers alike.
Prior to reading The Nursing Mother's Herbal, I expected it to be a specific reference book
about herbs relevant to lactation. When my copy arrived, I was astounded and thrilled to see that it
went far beyond this basic premise. The Nursing Mother's Herbal artfully weaves information
about ways that herbs and natural remedies can benefit or harm the nursing couple with practical
breastfeeding solutions. It places its primary emphasis on the value, benefits, and process of
breastfeeding. What's more, the information about breastfeeding is absolutely accurate and thoroughly
up-to-date. The author's extensive experience in lactation consulting is clearly reflected in the
breastfeeding information presented in the book, to the benefit of even the most expert lactation
consultants.
Although research studies about herbs and natural remedies are few, The Nursing Mother's Herbal's
comprehensive information about the use of hundreds of herbs and natural remedies during breastfeeding is
also highly accurate, bringing together the wisdom of the herbalists and the knowledge of the scientists.
The book includes an extensive table of plant safety, listing several hundred herbs, a discussion of herbal
products, explanations of alternative healing options, as well as herbal resources and Web sites.
The Nursing Mother's Herbal is written in a warm, engaging, intelligent, reassuring manner. The
reader is consistently urged to seek the help of an LLL Leader as her primary resource.
Any mother who considers the use of herbs or natural remedies while nursing will find The Nursing
Mother's Herbal to be an excellent addition to her breastfeeding library. LLL Leaders, lactation
consultants, and health care professionals will also benefit tremendously from this long-awaited and
excellent book.
Last updated Thursday, August 31, 2006 by njb.
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