Breastmilk is the best food for newborns and infants. The nutritional stores of a lactating woman may be depleted as a result of the pregnancy and the loss of blood during childbirth. Lactation raises nutrient needs, mainly because of the loss of nutrients, first through colostrum and then through breastmilk. The nutrients present in this milk come from the diet of the mother or from her nutrient reserves. The conversion of nutrients in food to nutrients in breastmilk is not complete. To have good nutritional status the breastfeeding woman has to increase nutrient intake.
Oral galactagogues are substances that stimulate milk production. They may be pharmacological or non‐pharmacological (natural). Natural galactagogues are usually botanical or other food agents. The choice between pharmacological or natural galactagogues is often influenced by familiarity and local customs. Galactagogues are substances that stimulate breast milk production. These substances are differentiated from nutrients which are essential for lactation, and whose absence may contribute to a decrease in milk synthesis. Supplementation of an essential nutrient to a nutritionally deficient mother may improve lactation, but will not improve milk output if there are no deficiencies.
Natural herbal medications, such as fenugreek, milk thistle, A. racemosus, alfalfa, blessed thistle, goat’s rue , fennel, and brewer’s yeast, are often recommended to breastfeeding mothers to increase milk production.
Herbal Galactagogues (GG)
A galactagogue (GG), also known as a lactation inducer or milk booster, is a drug that encourages breastfeeding in humans and other animals. It can be synthetic, natural, or endogenous. They stimulate lactation and treat poor milk production. The major herbal lactation compound are to exert their pharmacologic effects via interactions with dopamine receptors, resulting in higher prolactin levels and, as a result, increased milk production. GG can help women to produce breast milk on their own owing to newborn preterm, maternal or child sickness, adoption, or surrogate parenthood.
The common medicinal herbs used as GG:
Asparagus:
This ayurvedic herb is well-known for its GG properties. It enhances prolactin production, which helps improve the quality and quantity of breast milk produced by a breastfeeding mother. It also enhances the release of steroid hormones, which boost milk production and breast weight.
Fenugreek:
Fenugreek is to boost prolactin levels, which could explain its GG characteristics. Fenugreek has various applications, the most common of which are as a digestive aid, hypoglycemia, perspiring, liver support, metabolic improvement, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, anti-coagulant, labor induction.
Fennel:
Fennel a substance that promotes breast milk production. The natural estrogen-like qualities of fennel contribute to its reputation for increasing breast milk. There is, however, insufficient evidence to justify an official recommendation of fennel for nursing.
Milk thistle:
The estrogen-mimicking characteristics of milk thistle may enhance prolactin secretion, making it an effective lactation compound.
Garlic:
In order to improve milk and gestation, garlic is helped to provide nutrition. The study to assess the impact of naturally made galactagogue mixtures containing garlic on postpartum mothers' prolactin and breast milk production,it was found that the mixture increased prolactin production, supporting the traditional use of garlic as a GG.
Garden cress seed:
Numerous alkaloids and flavonoids found in garden cress seeds have an impact on how endocrine glands secrete hormones. The levels of female hormones LH, FSH, estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin are all markedly raised by regular eating of garden cress seeds. The enhancement of milk production is caused by the breastfeeding mother's elevated prolactin hormone levels.
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