The practice of giving infants herbal teas and supplements to ease digestion or fussiness is potentially harmful, warn researchers from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA researchers have expressed concern over the widespread use of gripe water, a formula containing ginger and fennel used for colic and gas,chamomile , an herb used in tea, and teething tablets, which may also contain botanical ingredients, because of unknown drug interactions or contaminants in the products. Other supplements and teas used by mothers included mint, anise, chrysanthemum tea,clove oil, flax seed oil, garlic oil, goldenseal extract and lemon tea.
The FDA is yet to regulate these botanical preparations as it has done with drugs.
“Parents of infants and young children should understand that dietary supplements have not been evaluated by FDA to treat, cure or prevent any disease and that using them as such may not be appropriate,” said Sara Fein, a study author.
The FDA researchers have expressed concern over the widespread use of gripe water, a formula containing ginger and fennel used for colic and gas,chamomile , an herb used in tea, and teething tablets, which may also contain botanical ingredients, because of unknown drug interactions or contaminants in the products. Other supplements and teas used by mothers included mint, anise, chrysanthemum tea,clove oil, flax seed oil, garlic oil, goldenseal extract and lemon tea.
The FDA is yet to regulate these botanical preparations as it has done with drugs.
“Parents of infants and young children should understand that dietary supplements have not been evaluated by FDA to treat, cure or prevent any disease and that using them as such may not be appropriate,” said Sara Fein, a study author.
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