Articles by Steena Barnett -
Medical Herbalist
Herbs for Lactation
Breastfeeding-the best start you can give to your child. 95% of women can breastfeed providing they have the right support, knowledge and will to succeed. In Australia it is a women’s right to breastfeed where ever, when ever-no one can stop you, not even in Parliament . If you can breastfeed-do-your baby and your health is worth it. If you cannot-that is okay but not as good. Humans are very adaptable creatures-babies can survive on fake milk but they do far better on the real stuff, if you know you cannot feed-start campaigning for a milk bank-do it for your baby-you want them to be healthy? It is worth it.
The link between breastfeeding and herbs is as old as humans, some of the herbs used today were written about thousands of years ago- and are still being used in the same way!
Before deciding to use natural medicine, various options could be tried. If you feel there is a problem-firstly a breastfeeding counselor or even a lactation consultant to check for positioning of baby to breast. They can also help with reassurance that you are doing the right thing, they might be able to assist with pointing out the obvious-being run down, not taking time for yourself, assisting with showing what is normal, helping you with your breastfeeding choices.
Sometimes just resting for a few days and feeding on demand is all that is required to increase the amount of breast milk your body is producing.
Good sources of information regarding herbs include your local herbalist or naturopath.
For an up to date and well sourced reference book-Sheila Humphreys` book The Nursing Mothers Herbal is just wonderful. As with all medicines the herbal medicine is only as good as the manufacturer or the person prescribing it. Be an empowered consumer- ask about good manufacturing practice, correct medicinal level of dose and even the correct part of the herb being prescribed, if you are not happy-find another manufacturer/ herbalist/naturopath.
A good quality product prescribed by a knowledgeable practitioner is the best for you, your baby, your health and your money. If you are taking herbal medicine and orthodox medication-please tell both your alternative practitioner and medical practitioner as herb/drug interactions can occur.
Breastfeeding Mums use herbal medicines for 3 main reasons
- To assist in lactation problems.
- To assist in non lactation problems such as a short term illness which has started i.e. infection or as part of the treatment for an underlying, ongoing illness.
- To assist in the treatment of the breastfeeding child by using breast milk as a carrier of herbal constituents.
Here are some of the more commonly used herbs for lactation problems as used in Australia. There is little research on herbs and lactation, (that is changing) but traditional use has shown certain herbs to be very useful.
Herbs can be taken in many different ways- as infused teas, as boiled decoctions, tinctures which usually have a water ethanol base (this base enhances the constituents being extracted.)
Milk Thistle-Silybum Marianum
Parts Used-Seed
One of the most researched herbs on the planet. The name comes from the pattern on the leaf which looks like milk has been poured over the plant. Legend is that the pattern is from Mary’s breast milk as she was feeding baby Jesus, it poured over the plant. Some herbalists use Silybum for lowered milk supply and others have claimed it did not work. Recent research in Germany has shown it to have a constituent called silibinin which could have a possible normalizing effect on lactation control.(1) Silybum could be used to assist in maintaining milk supply when the Mum may also suffer from long term stress and illness.
Fennel - Foeniculum vulgare.
Part Used -Seed
Fennel has been used since Ancient Greece to reduce coughs, relieve wind, and increase lactation and to reduce the appetite.
Recent research has shown it to reduce the level of infantile colic-when in combination with other herbs.
There appears to be few problems relating to intake of fennel providing the correct dose is taken.
Blessed Thistle- Cnicus benedictus -
Part Used- stem, leaf and flower.
Used extensively in the United States to increase lactation, Cnicus is less well known in Australia where it is primarily used as a bitter digestive aid. Overdose can lead to an irritable infant-probably due to the bitter constituents giving the breast milk a bitter taste. The dosage suggested on Dr Jack Newman’s website is not a universal dose as dosage changes with different manufacturers. For individual prescriptions see a herbalist or naturopath.
Fenugreek- Trigonella foenum-graecum
Part Used -seed
Fenugreek is used in Indian cooking where it is called `Methi` and as a medicine in the Ayurvedic health system where it has been used for 1000`s of years as a galactagogue (increases milk supply) It is part of the traditional dishes prepared for the nursing mothers to increase their milk supply. People with low thyroid activity and anaemia are advised to seek professional advice before starting on fenugreek.
Fenugreek is also used in the management of diabetes mellitus (both insulin dependent and non insulin dependent) and for lowering lipids in hypercholesterolemia (2)
Overdose of Fenugreek can lead to `false maple syrup syndrome` where your baby will smell like maple syrup. Reducing the dose usually stops the smell; this does not seem to harm the baby. Starting on a high dose of fenugreek can sometimes cause diarrhea in mother and occasionally baby. Reducing the dose or slowing the introduction into the diet should stop this occurring. Mums with asthmatic or allergic tendencies should seek professional advice before starting this herb due to possible exacerbation of symptoms.(3)
Chaste berry Tree –, Vitex Agnus Castus
Parts Used: Fruit and Leaf.
Traditionally used in European Herbalism for increasing milk supply, for any female problems and to keep the monks chastity intact-hence the name.
It is used for irregularities of the menstrual cycle and for premenstrual complaints including breast pain. (5)
The role for Vitex is uncertain in lactation. Constituents of Vitex do show activity in the part of the brain responsible for hormonal activity and lactation. The theory at present is that Vitex normalizes the production of prolactin which in turn helps with lactation. It would be of use in women who have suffered from hormonal problems before falling pregnant.
As chasteberry is known to promote fertility, the effect of breastfeeding reducing ovulation may be reversed.
Pokeweed, Parts Used – root, leaf and stem. Phytolacca Americana
A very effective but very strong herb used in lactating women for mastitis.
The dose required is very small and exact and requires a very knowledgeable herbalist to prescribe it, overdose can occur as can toxicity if not harvested correctly. There are much safer herbs to use during lactation.
Copyright © 2006 Steena Barnett and Health Hut.
Last Revised May 2006.
Medical Herbalist
MNIMH,MNHAA, Cert Phyt.
References
1) Seidlova-Wuttke D, Becker T, Christoffel V, Jarry H, Wuttke W, 2003, Silymarin is a selective estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) agonist and has estrogenic effects in the metaphysic of the femur but no or antiestrogenic effects in the uterus of ovariectomized (ovx) rats. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 86(2):179-88
2) Bordia A, Verma SK, Srivastava KC. 1997. Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.) on blood lipids, blood sugar and platelet aggregation in patients with coronary artery disease. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 56(5):379-84. Retrieved from PubMed database January 2005
3) Humphrey, S. 2003. The Nursing Mother’s Herbal. Fairview Press Minneapolis. Pages 315-316.
4) Bone.K. 2003. A Clinical Guide to Blending Herbs. Page 409-412. Churchill Livingstone. Missouri.
5) Wuttke W, Jarry H, Christoffel V, Spengler B, Seidlova-Wuttke D, 2003, Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)--pharmacology and clinical indications. Phytomedicine, 10(4):348-57.Retrieved August 2004 from PubMed database.
