Breast feeding with herbs

The most common reason reported by mothers for early cessation of breastfeeding is the perception of insufficient breast milk supply. Fortunately the herbal kingdom offers a number of plants with galactagogue activity (promotes and increases breast milk production).

Six randomised controlled trials recently were designed to assess the galactagogue activity of the following herbs, Shatavari, Fenugreek and Milk Thistle.

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa)

A study involving 60 deficiently lactating mothers with infants under six months of age found that Shatavari (60 mg/kg body weight), one capsule 3 times daily for 30 days, significantly increased prolactin levels by 32.9% compared to 5.7% in the placebo group; infant weight increased by 16.1% compared to 9.6% in the placebo group; infant weight increased by 16.1% compared to 5.7% in the placebo group.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

This study enrolled 60 healthy mothers who had healthy term infants, were willing to exclusively breastfeed, and agreed to use a specific breast pump on day three postpartum. The women were randomised to drink a treatment tea (containing 100 mg of Fenugreek) or apple tea (placebo) three cups per day. The mean breast milk volume for the treatment group was 73.2 ml, and the placebo group was 38.8 ml. Maximum weight loss was lowest in the treatment group and the infants from third group also regained their birth weight faster than the placebo group. The researchers concluded the Fenugreek tea
enhanced breast milk production and may be used in the first week of life.

St Mary’s Thistle (Silybum marianum)

Fifty healthy lactating mothers were randomised to receive either 420 mg per day of micronized silymarin or placebo for 63 days. On day 30, the mean quantity of breast milk for the treatment group and the placebo group was 990 g and 650 g respectively, representing a 64.4% increase in the treatment
group and 22.5% increase in the placebo group. By the end of the trial (day 63), the per cent of the increase in the quantity of milk remained significantly higher in the treatment group (89.9%) compared to placebo (32.1%).

Therefore it appears that Shatavari, Fenugreek and St Mary’s Thistle have significant galactagogue activities, and are safe and efficacious in mothers who have difficulty with producing breast milk and increasing its quantity.