Birth & Breastfeeding Resources As one whom his mother
comforts so shall I (God) comfort you in Jerusalem. Isaiah 66:11 Along the bank of the of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither nor will their fruit fail. They will bear fruit every month, because water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for medicine. Ezekiel 47:12
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Galactagogues
Getting More Milk with Herbs
SOME OF THESE MAY JUST BE IN YOU SPICE RACK AT HOME. still
under construction- will give some information on each herb.
GENERAL LIST OF HERBS FOR USE IN LACTATION Alfalfa- medicago sativa is used to increase appetite, vitality, help with water retention and in animal studies can reduce cholesterol levels in animals with high fat diets. Great for pregnancy and high in various nutrients. high in protein, and contains vitamins A,B1,B6,B12,C,E, K1 along with minerals calcium potassium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. this is a great pregnancy herbs. many midwives and lactation consultants suggest about 2-4 grams daily. There are rare reports of allergic reaction and sprouts are not to be used by those with SLE (Lupus). This is a great blood builder. Anise- pimpinella anisum is written as a tithing spice in the Bible. The writings of it being a reputed galactagogue go back to ancient Egyptian times. It is a wonderful anti-spasmodic and is great for the woman with a colicky baby or one with heartburn. It is not for use in pregnancy. Blessed thistle- Black cohosh- Borage- Caraway- Dandelion- Dill- Evening Primrose Oil- Fennel- Fenugreek- trigonella graceum foecum Goat’s rue- Galega officianalis is a wonderful herb for milk supply and is safe to use if you are tandem nursing or are pregnant and needing to develop more breast ductal tissue. This herb is a galactagogue, diuretic, diaphoretic and it reduces blood glucose levels. So be cautious if you are diabetic or hypoglycemic. it does not replace insulin therapy. Animal studies show that this herb can increase milk supply up to 50 percent. Hops- Marshmallow root- the leaves of althea officianalis are used to heal bronchial and urinary tract irritations. It is very mucilaginous and the root are use as expectorant, used to heal wounds, such as burns and boils and heal peptic ulcers and hiatal hernia. this is good in minute doses for babes for reflux. It is great for adoptive moms to use to "prime" the ducts for nursing. I like to use it to heal mastitis as well. Marshmallow may slow the absorption of other medications. tincture or tea can be used. 1 cup of tea 3 times daily or tincture 3ml 3-4 times daily. Milk Thistle-
Oats- Avena sativa Red raspberry- Schizandra berries- This is a Chinese herb that is used similarly to red raspberry as that it is tonic and astringent, and adaptable enough to balance female hormones. I find Schizandra is supportive of supply in that it assists with the milk ejection reflex to make it manageable and more efficient. It harmonizes the balance of the body's physiologic processes. Schizandra is a woody and aromatic vine that is sometimes referred to the fruit of 5 flavors in Chinese medicine because it includes the taste of all the five Chinese elements. Vitex- Chaste berry
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Cnicus
Benedictus is a wonderful herb for helping milk supply; in many uses
it is combined with fenugreek. It can be used alone. This bristly herb also
modifies hormone levels and can be used alone. 
cimicifuga rasemosa is used herbally and homeopathically. Modifies estrogen
levels and helps with oxytocin levels. This herb is used to aid in labor and
delivery, and to make the labor easier. in modifying oxytocin it aids in the
milk ejection reflex. Oxytocin is responsible for uterine contractions and the
contractions in breast with MER. It s anti spasmodic and used with menstrual
cramps. Black cohosh is used to treat symptoms of PMS and in other folk remedies is that it is used for rattlesnake bites. 1ml
tincture 3x daily. Not for use in early pregnancy as it is a known
abortificient. Use with guidance from a qualified practitioner.
borago
officinales leaves can be eaten as greens. I have mixed mine
with collards and mustards. However there is controversy as borage leave
contains pyrozoloid alkaloids, and large amounts of this constituent can cause
liver damage. however in my research it seems that most agree that the seed oil
has so little of the PA's that the oil is safe. The flowers are also safe and
edible. It is used a restorative to the adrenal cortex and the flowers are said
to be an aid in treating depression. The oil is rich in the omega 3 fatty acids
needed to enrich milk for brain growth. it is also used in the last weeks of
pregnancy to help in perineal massage or to soften cervix. Usual dose is 1000mg
(1 gm) daily.
Carum carviifor my practice is used when women are sore and hurting due to a
difficult birth with muscle spasms in back, neck and breasts. Caraway
contains a substance which seems to relax the muscles in the breasts and improve
let down. 
taraxacum officionale leaves and root have
been used for generations to treat liver, gallbladder and kidney aliments. Them
leaves are traditionally used as a diuretic. Here in the Southern US the flowers
are used to make a gentle sipping wine. According to the doctrine of signatures
it helps with milk because it contains a white milky latex. However, it is
loaded with calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, and k that it helps with women post
birth to recover their vitality quickly. 
Anethum graveolens is reported to be antispasmodic, duretic, anti-flatulent, and
galactagogue. It is used in "gripe water' remedies for colic in infant. the
oil and tea has been used to use its antifoaming action and as an appetite
stimulant. The seeds have been chewed to help with bad breath. it is
contra-indicated in low salt diet as it is high in sodium. Dill is an
emmenagogue so only use food doses in pregnancy. it does well in tea to aid a
milk supply, usually 2-3 cups are taken daily. 
Onethera Biennis- 
Foeniculum
vulgare general actions include those of a circulatory stimulant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, galactagogue and
anti-spasmodic. these particular reasons
make it a good milk aid. it is also used in many colic remedies. This herb
has been written and used by ancient Greek physicians. in low doses this can be
used for heartburn in pregnancy but large doses are toxic and an emmenagogue.
This can be used in tincture or tea. 
This herb is a standard among lactation consultants. It is diaphoretic,
galactagogue, stomachic, anti- diabetic mucilaginous herb. This herb is used in
flavoring maple syrup, and Indian curries. Fenugreek is used in many mother's
milk teas and is used as a poultice for mastitis. The dose is safe up to 6 grams
per day and if using on a regular basis, moms report their skin can smell
somewhat like maple syrup, but the babies do not seem to mind. Many lactation
professionals will mix this with blessed thistle. If you have diabetes or are
hypoglycemic use with caution, It does not replace insulin therapy. In studies
done with diabetics fenugreek also reduces cholesterol level. This herb is also
an emmenagogue and not to be used during pregnancy as it can cause
contractions. 
Humulus lupulus helps with some supply issues, but is a relaxant and assists with the milk
ejection reflex. The strobiles can be eaten as a vegetable, but are mainly used
in the brewing industry. Hops is a milk tonic and a mild sedative and muscle
relaxer. The estrogen content is the reason for its increase in lactation,
however it should NOT be used if there is or has been a history of
depression. Usual dose is 2 -350 mg 3x daily. 
silbanum marianum. The entire plant is
edible and aids in digestion. Many people use this herb for liver protection
from all type of toxins from cadmium to death-cap mushrooms. The leaves are used
to increase milk supply. It is also protectant of the heart. Seeds should only
be used by qualified practitioners. Many midwives use this on infants in just a
few drops to help with jaundice. To build milk supply the herb moderates
estrogen levels. It is good for PMS symptoms as well. usual dosage is 1 gram
daily in 2 doses. 
Nettles- Urtica diotica nettle
has been used since ancient times for disorders of the spleen, asthma and
as a diuretic. it's powder has been used for nosebleed and contains calcium so
that it is effective against bleeding internally and externally either as a
powder or tincture. it is also taken to treat nettle rash and works well in
allergic rhinitis and in Germany is used in arthritis preparations. Nettle is
used in combination with saw palmetto to treat benign prostate hyperplasia.
There are no known restrictions for use in pregnancy and lactation. It is high
in other vitamin c and K. 
oats straw and or oats is somewhat associated with a breakfast food. they work
as a nervous system restorer, to strengthen a weakened constitution. It treats
shingles and chickenpox topically. Oat straw does stimulate the release of
leutinizing hormone from the denoohypophysis of rats. Maybe this is why it calms
a nursing mother and stimulates supply. It contains high contents of silica,
zinc, and manganese and beta -glucans that stimulates immune functions. There
are no know contraindications in pregnancy and lactation. oatmeal in current
medical studies is also shown to reduce cholesterol levels.
rubus ideaus this is one of the ultimate pregnancy and nursing herbs. High
in vitamins; a,d,e,k,c, and it contains calcium, iron, it is safe during
pregnancy. A full page is devoted to this herb. 
vitex agnus castus, it is a native small shrub native to Greece and Italy. It is
used to lower libido in men. historically it has been used to treat fevers,
hangovers and gas and constipation. it was also recognized to help with
menstrual cramps and bring on periods. In studies it is shown to relive the
symptoms of PMS. in vitro studies show that the aqueous alcohol solution
(tincture) inhibits prolactin secretion, however there is no human
pharmacological data on this. So with other professionals I have to agree, do
not use vitex in the first 4 weeks postpartum unless trying to lower supply or
curb overactive let down and it is fine for building supply after that time
frame. Some studies show that it is also safe after the first trimester of
pregnancy in small doses.