Various herbal galactagogues.
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Throughout the world, over the ages, many natural herbal galactagogues have been used, most of them very successful to increase breast milk supply. But it is extremely important to seek the advice of a specialist in the herbal galactagogue field before self medicating with herbal galactagogues.
There are many dangers in using any of them without professional guidance.
Anise Seed (Pimpinella anisum ) - Has a mild estrogenic effect. Also used to ease colic and gas pains and can be drunk by the nursing mother to relieve colicy babies.
Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus ) - Blessed thistle is a bitter herb useful for liver and digestive problems and its ability to increase and enrich the flow of milk.
Chaste Berry (Vitex angus-castus) - Chaste Berry has a normalizing effect on the progesterone function of the pituitary gland. Vitex stimulates prolactin production and is used by nursing mothers to increase milk supply. A controlled study found that women who took vitex had an increase in milk production over women who took a placebo. It is not recommended for use after the third month of pregnancy as it may bring on the milk production too early.
Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare) - Like anise, fennel is traditionally used to increase milk supply and also as a carminative to dispel gas. Fennel is a bitter. Bitter seeds and herbs are important for stimulating the release of digestive juices.
Fenugreek (Ritornello foenum-graecum) - Traditionally very popular. Don't be surprised, fenugreek will make your sweat and urine smell like maple syrup! To use simmer 1 1/2 teaspoons of seed per cup of water for 10 minutes and drink 3 cups a day.
Hops (Humulus lupulus ) - Highly estrogenic properties useful for increasing milk production and regulating hormonal production. Hops are also a sedative useful for insomnia and a digestive bitter. It is best used fresh for its hormonal actions and dried for its sedative actions.
Milk Thistle Seed (Silybum marianum ) - Particularly useful when liver imbalances are involved.
Nettle Leaf (Urtica urens ) - Nettles is one of our best female tonic herbs! It is an abundant source of trace minerals and vitamins and will help to enrich and increase milk production. One of the best sources for digestible iron.
Suggested use is 1 ounce of herb per pint of water and taken 1/2 - 1 cup 3 times a day.
Avoid: Large amounts of sage and parsley may decrease flow of milk.
Mother's Milk Tea
1part Blessed Thistle
1 part Fenugreek
1/2 part Hops
2 parts Fennel
1 part Nettle
Grind the seeds a bit so that water can come in contact with the inner parts when you brew your tea. To prepare: pour boiling water over the herbs, cover and allow to steep for 10 minutes or more. Usual dosage is about 1 ounce of herb per pint of water.
Most of these herbs are bitter and you may want to add a pinch of stevia to sweeten but remember that bitter is good for you. When the bitter principal hits your taste buds it stimulates the release of bile and other digestive juices and this is important for good digestion. Bitters don't work if you don't taste them.
References
HERBS FOR PREGNANT & LACTATING WOMEN. Mary Bove, ND & Aviva Romm. 8th annual AHG Symposium ~ October 17-20, 1997.
HERBAL HEALING FOR WOMEN, Rosemary Gladstar. New York. Simon & Schuster.1993
THE WAY OF HERBS, Michael Tierra C.A.,N.D. New York, Washington Square Press.1983.
HERBAL REMEDIES FOR WOMEN, Amanda McQuade Crawford, M.N.I.M.H. California. Prima Publishing.1997
THERAPEUTIC HERBALISM, David Hoffmann, B. Sc., M.N.I.M.H. Copywrite info could not be found in the book.
