Pregnancy and lactation are essential periods in which extreme care is necessary. Mothers become very conscious about what they eat or take as it can directly influence the health of their child. Meanwhile, doctors also act with extreme caution while prescribing medications. It is so because medications can do more harm than good to the mother and the baby if wrong medicines or inappropriate doses are taken.
As Zinda Tilismath is an excellent remedy for many common ailments and is usually present in every other household, the question arises “Is it, also, safe to use Zinda Tilismath during pregnancy and breastfeeding?” The answer is YES. It is completely safe!
What makes Zinda Tilismath safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
The reason behind its safety is the perfect combination of completely natural ingredients in absolutely safe amounts.
In the following discussion, we shall look deep into each ingredient of Zinda Tilismath, one by one, and discuss different research studies which prove the safe usage of these ingredients and Zinda Tilismath during pregnancy and lactation.
Eucalyptus oil
Although there are not many research studies available regarding the safety of using eucalyptus oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding, however, the little data available is in favor of its usage. For instance, in a research paper, eucalyptus oil is claimed to be one of those essential oils which are, generally, regarded as safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding when in diluted form (Walls 32).
Similarly, the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA) allows the topical use of oil extract of Eucalyptus on pregnant women as it poses no health hazards (“Safety Guidelines – IFPA” 4). The National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) concurs with the IFPA guidelines and claims that there is minimal risk of a negative reaction when the diluted eucalyptus oil is used topically or through a diffuser or steam (“Safety Information | NAHA”).
As Zinda Tilismath also contains eucalyptus oil in safe concentrations, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of eucalyptus oil without any potential side effects.
Menthol
In the book “Drugs during pregnancy and lactation”, it is mentioned that there is no teratogenic effect has been observed so far in pregnant women with the topical application of menthol; therefore, it is safe to use during pregnancy (Schaefer et. al. 448). Similarly, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has endorsed it safe for external use with concentrations of up to 16% (Patel et. al. 875).
It is declared completely safe for both the nursing mothers and their babies when used in normal dosages. Even a study has supported its beneficial effects in treating nipple fissure disorders in breastfeeding women (Blourian et. al. 11527).
Regarding its intake during pregnancy, animal studies in mice, rats, hamsters, or rabbits have shown no abnormal effects in the offspring even when females were given doses as high as 106 times of the accepted daily intake for humans (“930.Menthol (WHO Food Additives Series 42)”). On the other hand, very little data is available on its intake safety in humans during pregnancy or lactation; therefore, nothing can be said with surety.
However, Zinda Tilismath contains menthol within recommended safe ranges. So, it is completely safe to use during breastfeeding and pregnancy, if used as per the instructions.
Camphor
During a research study, camphor was applied topically to pregnant women in 1st trimester or at different times of their pregnancies, and it was observed that no significant birth effects were present in the babies (Heinonen et. al.).
Similarly, no increase in the incidence of congenital anomalies was found when camphor was given orally in high concentrations to the pregnant rabbits and rats (Leuschner 124). Although there are some cases of camphor poisoning available, however, no adverse fetal defects are reported (Alsaad et. al. 4).
Despite these studies, it is generally considered unsafe to take camphor through the mouth during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, the herbal formulation of Zinda Tilismath contains camphor in such a quantity that each recommended dosage contains only minute concentrations of camphor that is, therapeutically, more beneficial than the potential risks of side effects.
Thymol
During a research trial conducted on 52 pregnant women who were exposed to thymol during their first trimester of pregnancy, no rise in the occurrence of congenital birth defects was found. The study concluded that thymol is completely safe to use during pregnancy and lactation (Alsaad et. al. 8).
Concurring with the findings of such research studies, experts believe that using thymol in normal amounts is safe for both pregnant and lactating women. However, no credible study is present that has evaluated the effects of taking thymol in high concentrations. Therefore, it is advised to stick to the safe ranges and do not overuse them.
Perfect concentrations of thymol are present in the composition of Zinda Tilismath. This not only endows complete usage safety but also gives beneficial therapeutic effects to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Alkanna Tinctoria
Alkanna is generally considered unsafe for pregnant women as it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). However, very few concentrations of alkanna are present in Zinda Tilismath that falls in safe ranges. Therefore, the risks of congenital birth defects or negative effects on the mother’s health are very low as compared to the therapeutic benefits.
Note
Despite the colossal therapeutic effects and low risks of potential side effects, you should carefully monitor patients’ symptoms while using Zinda Tilismath. It may be because of allergy as a person can be allergic by birth, or can acquire it after exposure to otherwise non-allergenic natural herbs or essential oils. Problems may also occur as a result of interactions with other medications the person is taking at that time. So, if you observe any worsening of the symptoms, stop the treatment and consult a doctor at once.
Bottom line
From the above discussion, we can say that Zinda Tilismath is completely safe to use during pregnancy and lactation if used properly according to the directions. The thing which makes it safe is the perfect blend of natural ingredients in, absolutely, safe amounts. However, if you observe any worsening of symptoms, stop the treatment at once and seek professional medical assistance.
References
“930. Menthol (WHO Food Additives Series 42)”. Inchem.Org, http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v042je04.htm. Accessed 19 Apr 2021.
Alsaad, Abdulaziz MS, Colleen Fox, and Gideon Koren. “Toxicology and teratology of the active ingredients of professional therapy MuscleCare products during pregnancy and lactation: A systematic review.” BMC complementary and alternative medicine 15.1 (2015): 1-11.
Bolourian, Molood, et al. “The Effect of Peppermint on the Treatment of Nipple Fissure during Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review.” International Journal of Pediatrics-Mashhad 8.7 (2020): 11527-11535.
Heinonen, Olli P., Dennis Slone, and Samuel Shapiro. Birth defects and drugs in pregnancy. Publishing Sciences Group Inc., Littleton, Massachusetts, USA, 1977.
Leuschner, J. “Reproductive toxicity studies of D-camphor in rats and rabbits.” Arzneimittel-forschung 47.2 (1997): 124-128.
Patel, Tejesh, Yozo Ishiuji, and Gil Yosipovitch. “Menthol: a refreshing look at this ancient compound.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 57.5 (2007): 873-878.
“Safety Guidelines – IFPA”. IFPA, 2021, https://ifparoma.org/resources-media/safety-guidelines/
“Safety Information | NAHA”. Naha.Org, 2021, https://naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety#other. Accessed 18 Apr 2021..
Schaefer, Christof, Paul WJ Peters, and Richard K. Miller, eds. Drugs during pregnancy and lactation: treatment options and risk assessment. Academic Press, 2014.
Walls, Donna. “Herbs and natural therapies for pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.” International Journal of Childbirth Education 24.2 (2009): 29.
