Food or drug which promotes or increase the flow of mother’s milk are called ‘galactogogues’ or ‘galactagogues’. Mother’s milk is very important to the child. It is perfect for your baby and help protect the baby from infections and diseases. Not only does the baby benefits from breastfeeding, it is very beneficial for the mother too as breastfeeding mother has lower chances of getting ovarian cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis etc.
Though many mothers would like to breastfeed their child, sometimes breast milk is nor produced in enough amount to be enough for the baby. This deprives the child from enjoying amazing benefits of mother’s milk. Herbal remedies can be of great use in this condition.
It is also known as greek hayseed. It is one of the best known galactagogues. Usual dose is 580-610 mg per day. It is also available in form of capsules and seeds as decoction and teas. It has been found to be beneficial to increase breast milk for centuries.[1]
It is widely used herbal remedy for increasing milk production in Europe and South America and slowly gaining popularity in US. Animal studies have shown positive effect. The usual dose is one teaspoon of dried leaves steeped in eight ounces of water for 10 minutes and taken three times a day.[2]
3. Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle is also a reputable galactogogue. Usable material is called silymarin and is extract of the fruit. A study conducted with 50 health lactating women given with a dose of 420mg/day of silymarin showed an increased production of milk by 85.9% as compared to the placebo.[3]
Fennel seeds have traditionally been used as milk enhancing herbs. Fennel seed tea promotes breast milk in lactating women and reduces colic in nursing infants [4]
Anise can increase flow of breast milk. It also passes through the breast milk and can help colicky infants. It can be used with fennel seeds to make herbal tea to increase milk production. [5]
Studies have shown that breastfeeding babies suckle longer when the milk was garlic flavored. It is perhaps because of the fact that milk being flavored with garlic give babies different sensory experience than normal milk. Mothers can include garlic in their diet to promote suckling by their infants.[6]
Caraway is a type of spice. It is also called as foreign cumin. Apart from their flavour enhancing properties, caraway was traditionally used by European midwives to increase milk production in breastfeeding women. [7]
Chinese medicine practitioners believe that eating peanuts can help increase breast milk production in women who are having scanty lactation. They are readily available and can be used in variety of ways. Incorporate them in diet to increase milk flow. However, it is best to avoid them if you are allergic to peanuts.[8]
Dish made of black sesame seeds, molasses and rice has traditionally been used in Nepali culture to enhance breast milk production in nursing mothers. Black sesame seeds has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine system to promote breast milk production. [9]
Basil is one of the best herbs known to mankind and have many medicinal properties. Basil is known to hormonally stimulate adrenals, menstruation, childbirth and milk production. Including basil in diet also helps in congestion, indigestion, sore muscles etc. [10]
Use of these herbs can be helpful in increasing milk production. Use them as tea,decoction or include these in diet to address the problem of scanty milk production.
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