17-03-2010, 12:04 PM
Galactogouges
March 8 2008 at 7:36 PM waxingmoon (Login waxingmoon)
SENIOR MEMBER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was originally posted by May on the main forum, but I thought it should be recorded here as well... waxingmoon
March 6 2008 at 11:08 PM posted by may (Login Cselestyna)
hi! so i had no idea what galactogouges were and this is something i found on the net. i only put the findings for the herbals part, the others were drugs, and there for not Natural, and seemed kind of harmful, so here is the herbal part of the report i found!
i wasn't sure if the whole background would be helpful or not, so i just copied and pasted the whole thing. (BTW i found this on a site dedicated to breast feeding)
BACKGROUND
Galactogogues (or lactogogues) are medications or other substances believed to assist initiation,
maintenance, or augmentation of maternal milk production.Breast milk production is a complex physiologic process involving physical and
emotional factors and the interaction of multiple hormones, the most important of which is believed to be
prolactin. With parturition and expulsion of the placenta, progesterone falls and a full milk supply is
initiated (Lactogenesis II).2 Through interaction with the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary, dopamine
agonists inhibit, and dopamine antagonists increase, prolactin secretion and thereby milk production
(endocrine control). Thereafter, prolactin levels gradually decrease but milk supply is maintained or
increased by local feedback mechanisms (autocrine control).3
Therefore, an increase in prolactin levels is
needed to increase, but not maintain, milk supply. If the breasts are not emptied regularly and thoroughly,
milk production declines. Likewise, more frequent and thorough emptying of the breasts typically results in
increased milk production. Use of galactogogues for faltering milk supply should generally be reserved for
situations after both a thorough evaluation for treatable causes (e.g., maternal hypothyroidism or
medication) and increased frequency of breastfeeding or pumping or expression has not been successful.
HERBAL/NATURAL GALACTOGOUGES
Throughout world history women have used certain herbs or foods to enhance their milk supply. Most of
these substances have not been scientifically evaluated but traditional use suggests safety and some
efficacy. The mechanisms of action for all are unknown. Herbs commonly mentioned as galactogogues
include Fenugreek, Goat’s Rue, Milk Thistle, Anise, Basil, Blessed Thistle, Fennel seeds, Marshmallow, and
others. Beer is commonly used in some cultures, but alcohol may actually reduce milk production and there
is no evidence to support that the yeasts in beer are effective galactogogues.
It is of note that herbs and dietary supplements were removed by the Federal 1994 Dietary Supplement
Act from undergoing the rigorous evaluation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that is required for
drugs. The composition of herbal and dietary supplements are unknown and have been known to contain
toxic substances. This is especially true for herbs from mainland China. There is no standard dosing,
preparation, or composition, and fraudulent preparations may be a risk.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is the most commonly recommended herbal galactogogue,
treasured as a spice and medicine throughout India and the Middle East for thousands of years. It is a
member of the pea family listed as GRAS (generally regarded as safe) by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. Usual dose is one to four capsules (580–610 mg) three to four times per day, although as
with most herbal remedies there is no standard dosing. The higher of these doses may be required in
relactating or adoptive mothers. Alternatively, it can be taken as one cup of strained tea three times per day
(¼ tsp seeds steeped in 8 oz water for 10 minutes).33
Huggins34 reported the anecdotal use of fenugreek in at
least 1200 women with increased milk supply within 24 to 72 hours. Reported side effects are rare: maple
like odor to sweat, milk, and urine; diarrhea; and increased asthmatic symptoms. Use during pregnancy is
not recommended because of its uterine stimulant effects. Fenugreek is known to lower blood glucose, so
caution is advised. Two recent preliminary reports suggest effectiveness.35,36
Goat’s Rue (Galega officinalis) is a traditional galactogogue, widely recommended in Europe, based
on observations of increased milk supply when fed to cows in the 1900s. No controlled human trials have
been done, and no adverse effects have been reported with the following possible exception: Maternal
ingestion of a lactation tea containing extracts of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), fennel, anise, and goat’s rue
was linked to drowsiness, hypotonia, lethargy, emesis, and poor suckling in two breastfed neonates. An
infection work-up was negative, and symptoms and signs resolved on discontinuation of the tea and a 2-day
break from breastfeeding.37
The tea was not tested for contaminants or adulterants, and there have been no
other adverse events reported in Europe or South America, where the herb is also used as a hypoglycemic
agent. It is usually used as a tea (1 tsp dried leaves steeped in 8 oz water for 10 minutes) with 1 cup taken
three times a day.33
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used historically throughout Europe, but there are no
randomized controlled trials to validate its use. The plant is still commonly known as St. Mary’s thistle in
honor of the Virgin Mary. Early Christians believed that the white colored veins in the leaves were
symbolic of her breast milk. The American Herbal Products Association gives it a rating of 1, meaning that
the herb may be safely consumed when used appropriately and does not contraindicate its use during
lactation.38
It is used as a strained tea (simmer 1 tsp crushed seeds in 8 oz water for 10 minutes) taking two
to three cups per day.
(this information was C/Ped from a breastfeeding report.)
here is the site address if you are wondering
http://breastfeedingmadesimple.com/bms%2...gogues.pdf
Author Reply
Frostedmint06
(Login frostedmint06)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Galactogouges March 8 2008, 9:33 PM
Kellymom.com has an excellent and extensive list of galactagogues.
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksuppl...gogue.html
Edit Message Delete Message
Hopeful88
(Login Hopeful88)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Galactogouges March 9 2008, 5:16 AM
Wow that website was soo informative! thanks!
March 8 2008 at 7:36 PM waxingmoon (Login waxingmoon)
SENIOR MEMBER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was originally posted by May on the main forum, but I thought it should be recorded here as well... waxingmoon
March 6 2008 at 11:08 PM posted by may (Login Cselestyna)
hi! so i had no idea what galactogouges were and this is something i found on the net. i only put the findings for the herbals part, the others were drugs, and there for not Natural, and seemed kind of harmful, so here is the herbal part of the report i found!
i wasn't sure if the whole background would be helpful or not, so i just copied and pasted the whole thing. (BTW i found this on a site dedicated to breast feeding)
BACKGROUND
Galactogogues (or lactogogues) are medications or other substances believed to assist initiation,
maintenance, or augmentation of maternal milk production.Breast milk production is a complex physiologic process involving physical and
emotional factors and the interaction of multiple hormones, the most important of which is believed to be
prolactin. With parturition and expulsion of the placenta, progesterone falls and a full milk supply is
initiated (Lactogenesis II).2 Through interaction with the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary, dopamine
agonists inhibit, and dopamine antagonists increase, prolactin secretion and thereby milk production
(endocrine control). Thereafter, prolactin levels gradually decrease but milk supply is maintained or
increased by local feedback mechanisms (autocrine control).3
Therefore, an increase in prolactin levels is
needed to increase, but not maintain, milk supply. If the breasts are not emptied regularly and thoroughly,
milk production declines. Likewise, more frequent and thorough emptying of the breasts typically results in
increased milk production. Use of galactogogues for faltering milk supply should generally be reserved for
situations after both a thorough evaluation for treatable causes (e.g., maternal hypothyroidism or
medication) and increased frequency of breastfeeding or pumping or expression has not been successful.
HERBAL/NATURAL GALACTOGOUGES
Throughout world history women have used certain herbs or foods to enhance their milk supply. Most of
these substances have not been scientifically evaluated but traditional use suggests safety and some
efficacy. The mechanisms of action for all are unknown. Herbs commonly mentioned as galactogogues
include Fenugreek, Goat’s Rue, Milk Thistle, Anise, Basil, Blessed Thistle, Fennel seeds, Marshmallow, and
others. Beer is commonly used in some cultures, but alcohol may actually reduce milk production and there
is no evidence to support that the yeasts in beer are effective galactogogues.
It is of note that herbs and dietary supplements were removed by the Federal 1994 Dietary Supplement
Act from undergoing the rigorous evaluation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that is required for
drugs. The composition of herbal and dietary supplements are unknown and have been known to contain
toxic substances. This is especially true for herbs from mainland China. There is no standard dosing,
preparation, or composition, and fraudulent preparations may be a risk.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is the most commonly recommended herbal galactogogue,
treasured as a spice and medicine throughout India and the Middle East for thousands of years. It is a
member of the pea family listed as GRAS (generally regarded as safe) by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. Usual dose is one to four capsules (580–610 mg) three to four times per day, although as
with most herbal remedies there is no standard dosing. The higher of these doses may be required in
relactating or adoptive mothers. Alternatively, it can be taken as one cup of strained tea three times per day
(¼ tsp seeds steeped in 8 oz water for 10 minutes).33
Huggins34 reported the anecdotal use of fenugreek in at
least 1200 women with increased milk supply within 24 to 72 hours. Reported side effects are rare: maple
like odor to sweat, milk, and urine; diarrhea; and increased asthmatic symptoms. Use during pregnancy is
not recommended because of its uterine stimulant effects. Fenugreek is known to lower blood glucose, so
caution is advised. Two recent preliminary reports suggest effectiveness.35,36
Goat’s Rue (Galega officinalis) is a traditional galactogogue, widely recommended in Europe, based
on observations of increased milk supply when fed to cows in the 1900s. No controlled human trials have
been done, and no adverse effects have been reported with the following possible exception: Maternal
ingestion of a lactation tea containing extracts of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), fennel, anise, and goat’s rue
was linked to drowsiness, hypotonia, lethargy, emesis, and poor suckling in two breastfed neonates. An
infection work-up was negative, and symptoms and signs resolved on discontinuation of the tea and a 2-day
break from breastfeeding.37
The tea was not tested for contaminants or adulterants, and there have been no
other adverse events reported in Europe or South America, where the herb is also used as a hypoglycemic
agent. It is usually used as a tea (1 tsp dried leaves steeped in 8 oz water for 10 minutes) with 1 cup taken
three times a day.33
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used historically throughout Europe, but there are no
randomized controlled trials to validate its use. The plant is still commonly known as St. Mary’s thistle in
honor of the Virgin Mary. Early Christians believed that the white colored veins in the leaves were
symbolic of her breast milk. The American Herbal Products Association gives it a rating of 1, meaning that
the herb may be safely consumed when used appropriately and does not contraindicate its use during
lactation.38
It is used as a strained tea (simmer 1 tsp crushed seeds in 8 oz water for 10 minutes) taking two
to three cups per day.
(this information was C/Ped from a breastfeeding report.)
here is the site address if you are wondering
http://breastfeedingmadesimple.com/bms%2...gogues.pdf
Author Reply
Frostedmint06
(Login frostedmint06)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Galactogouges March 8 2008, 9:33 PM
Kellymom.com has an excellent and extensive list of galactagogues.
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksuppl...gogue.html
Edit Message Delete Message
Hopeful88
(Login Hopeful88)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Galactogouges March 9 2008, 5:16 AM
Wow that website was soo informative! thanks!