I may not be the expert about herbs…
But I have make some analysis on the herbs which widely used by breastfeeding moms.
Therefore I would like to share on below articles wit all of you-moms outside there:
Fenugreek a.k.a “Halba” (in Malay)
Good: it is good for increasing the milk supply. You can take it as a tea or put a little bit in your cooks…
Bad: Who had diabetes or blood clotting disorder…it can cause hypoglycemia (a lower than normal level of blood glucose). It also contains coumarin (is moderately toxic to the liver and kidneys) and nicotine. Both can negatively affect the heart rate and blood pressure in mom as well as our baby. Taking too large amount will make your urine smells like maple syrup & not only yours…but also to the baby. Therefore, your baby may be misdiagnosed having a “maple-syrup urine disorder” (The disease is characterized in an infant by the presence of sweet-smelling urine, with an odor similar to that of maple-syrup. Infants with this disease seem healthy at birth but if left untreated suffer severe brain damage and eventually die.)
My - Sharing:
Do not take this herb without consulting with your medical practitioner/doctor. They know the best than you are…Do not take with other drugs or medicine…
Even for me, I can’t use it as I experienced a diabetes while pregnancy. Even though now it’s ok. No more diagnosed with diabetes…But prevention is better than cure…
So I’ll try to take another alternative…
Fennel Seeds a.k.a Jintan Manis (in Malay)
Good: This herb can help milk production. It can be use for improving the milk supply of breastfeeding moms. This use, although not supported by direct evidence, is sometimes justified by the fact that fennel is a source of phytoestrogens, which promote growth of breast tissue. However, normal lactation does not involve growth of breast tissue.
Bad: There is a single case report of fennel tea ingested by a breastfeeding mother resulting in neurotoxicity for the newborn child.
[Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fennel]
My - Sharing:
I like to drink tea, but I don’t think I can drink this…hahaha
Try again to search for another alternative…
Chamomile a.k.a Bunga Kamil (In Malay)
Good: This herb contains relaxing properties and helps stimulate the production of breast milk.It is a popular treatment for numerous ailments, including sleep disorders, anxiety, digestion/intestinal conditions, skin infections/inflammation (including eczema), wound healing, infantile colic, teething pains, and diaper rash.
Normally this herb is consumed as a tea.
Bad: Chamomile may act as a uterine stimulant or lead to abortion. It therefore should be avoided during pregnancy. There is not enough scientific data to recommend the safe use of chamomile while breastfeeding. Chamomile may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some herbs or supplements. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery. Chamomile may have anti-estrogenic effects and interact with herbs and supplements like red clover or soy.Based on preliminary study, constituents in chamomile may alter blood sugar or blood pressure. Patients taking herbs or supplements that affect blood sugar or blood pressure should be cautious.
My - Sharing:
I can drink this…but may have to think twice…thrice…either to take it or not…my biggest worry is the effect to my baby.
Blessed Thistle (From South east England)
Good: Considered to be one of the best herbs to increase breast milk production.
Bad: Some tincture preparations have labels that state nursing mothers should avoid consuming the product mainly because it contains alcohol.
My - Sharing:
Nope for me…as it contains alcohol even though in small amount…it still goes to my baby…
If you are breastfeeding…what you eat, your baby also eats the same…
Other herbs that can be considered but there is still no scientific proven that these herbs can improve breast milk production as well as the bad effects either to mom or baby:
Goat's Rue.
Also a well-known diuretic and increases breast milk production.
Other effects include use as a tonic, liver-protectant, and as a platelet aggregation inhibitor.
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
Is traditionally used by women for overall health and vitality and it promotes lactation.
Aniseed
Aids digestion and promotes mother's milk production for nursing mothers.
It is like fennel which contains anethole, a phyoestrogen.
Anise is a mild anti-parasitic and its leaves can be used to treat digestive problems, relieve toothache, and its essential oil to treat lice & scabies.
Anise can be used to relieve menstrual cramps.
Caraway (Adik-beradik Jintan Manis)
This herb has galacagogue properties.
Used to aid mother's milk production and aid digestion disorders.
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