모유수유 산모의 한의학적 치료에 대한 고찰

A Study on Korean Medicine Treatment of Breastfeeding Mothers

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review safety of taking herbal medicines during breastfeeding and Korean medicine approach to problems that occur to mothers during breastfeeding. Methods: Literature search was done using database such as Pubmed, Google scholarship, RISS and Uptodate scholastic. Search words were ‘breastfeeding TCM’, ‘herbal medicine’, ‘Korean medicine’ and ‘safety’. Only English and Korean studies were assessed. Results: For most single herbs used in Korean medicine, there were few studies on the safety during lactation, and the reported studies show conflicting results. In terms of herbal medicine decoctions, there were several studies reporting of no side effects when taken by breastfeeding mothers. Meanwhile, Korean medicine can be used for problems arising from breastfeeding such as insufficient milk supply, laceration of nipples, pain, and mastitis. Conclusions: Although clinical studies reported in Korea are still at a basic level, studies assessing efficacy and safety of Korean medicine for breastfeeding mothers are being conducted, and there are many Korean medicine literatures explaining Korean medicine approaches to breastfeeding mothers. Therefore, it is considered that the possibility of Korean medicine treatment for the problems that mothers face during lactation has great potential.