Black Currant Seed Oil / Ribes nigrum

The Basics

What is Black Currant Seed Oil / Ribes nigrum?

Black currant seed oil is used for high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood. Black currant berries are used for a group of eye disorders that can lead to vision loss. Black currant seed oil, berries, and dried leaf are also used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Brand names for Black Currant Seed Oil / Ribes nigrum

N/A

How Black Currant Seed Oil / Ribes nigrum is classified

Complementary Therapies, Oils, Phytotherapy, Plants, Medicinal

Black Currant Seed Oil / Ribes nigrum During Pregnancy

Black Currant Seed Oil / Ribes nigrum pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Black Currant Seed Oil / Ribes nigrum while pregnant

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Taking Black Currant Seed Oil / Ribes nigrum While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Black Currant Seed Oil / Ribes nigrum?

Black currant seed oil contains alpha and gamma-linolenic acid, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidin, flavonoids, vitamin C, and 2 nitrile-containing compounds. It is generally well tolerated. Some evidence exists that indicated supplementation of mothers with black currant seed oil during pregnancy and exclusive breastfeeding decreases the rate of atopic dermatitis in breastfed infants.[1] Heating breastmilk to 63.5 degrees C reduces the concentration of linolenic acid by about 22%. Freezing milk at -20 degrees C and thawing more than once decreases linolenic acid concentration by an average of 63%.[2] Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Black currant seed oil contains alpha and gamma-linolenic acid, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidin, flavonoids, vitamin C, and 2 nitrile-containing compounds. It is generally well tolerated. Some evidence exists that indicated supplementation of mothers with black currant seed oil during pregnancy and exclusive breastfeeding decreases the rate of atopic dermatitis in breastfed infants.[1] Heating breastmilk to 63.5 degrees C reduces the concentration of linolenic acid by about 22%. Freezing milk at -20 degrees C and thawing more than once decreases linolenic acid concentration by an average of 63%.[2] Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Possible effects of Black Currant Seed Oil / Ribes nigrum on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Black Currant Seed Oil / Ribes nigrum