Gossypium

The Basics

What is Gossypium?

Cotton root bark was used as an old remedy for things ranging from nonmenstrual bleeding from the uterus to inducing labor contractions.

Brand names for Gossypium

Na

How Gossypium is classified

Complementary Therapies, Phytotherapy, Plants, Medicinal

Gossypium During Pregnancy

Gossypium 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 Gossypium while pregnant

N/A

Taking Gossypium While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Gossypium?

Gossypium herbaceum seeds contain pectin and the root bark and seeds contain gossypol. Gossypium is a purported galactogogue, and it may increase the complement C3 and C4 content of breastmilk. However, clinical trials supporting these uses are small and inadequate to validate its efficacy. Gossypol has caused hypokalemia, mild leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, fatigue, dry mouth, dry skin, and gastrointestinal upset. Galactogogues should never replace evaluation and counseling on modifiable factors that affect milk production.[1] 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

Gossypium herbaceum seeds contain pectin and the root bark and seeds contain gossypol. Gossypium is a purported galactogogue, and it may increase the complement C3 and C4 content of breastmilk. However, clinical trials supporting these uses are small and inadequate to validate its efficacy. Gossypol has caused hypokalemia, mild leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, fatigue, dry mouth, dry skin, and gastrointestinal upset. Galactogogues should never replace evaluation and counseling on modifiable factors that affect milk production.[1] 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 Gossypium on milk supply

Animal studies have demonstrated an increase in serum prolactin after intravenous administration of an extract of Gossypium herbaceum.[3] Some authors state that their unpublished data showed that oral administration of Gossypium seed extract to women increased their serum prolactin levels.[2]

A randomized study was done in India that compared the seed kernel of Gossypium herbaceum 10 grams per day in 3 divided doses to placebo for one month in healthy mothers to treat perceived insufficient milk supply. Entry into the study was based on maternal reports of insufficient milk supply and only mothers were blinded to the treatment. No maternal counseling on breastfeeding was provided. The principal finding of the study was that the volume of supplementary feedings decreased significantly from an average of 292 mL daily to 40 mL/day in the treatment group and decreased a statistically insignificant amount in the placebo group. No differences in infant weight gains were noted before and after treatment between the two groups. Twenty-one of the 30 mothers receiving the active drug were able to completely breastfeed their infants by the end of the study. Mothers who received the active product subjectively felt that they had a better milk supply and were more satisfied with nursing at the end of the study.[4]

Possible alternatives to Gossypium

None listed