Reproductive

Breast Milk Supply

Concerns about making enough breast milk. A lactation consultant or health professional can first check things like feeding frequency and the baby's latch, which often make the biggest difference.

Many herbs affect hormones, and several aren't safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding or with hormone-sensitive cancers. These herbs are listed because of traditional use or research, not because they're proven treatments. Check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before using them, especially if you're pregnant, trying to conceive or taking hormonal medicines.

5 herbs

Each note says whether the link comes from traditional use or research, and what the research found.

FenugreekTrigonella foenum-graecum
Traditionally used to increase breast milk; studies have had mixed results.
JasmineJasminum sambac
In a trial, jasmine flowers placed on the breasts reduced breast milk as well as the medicine bromocriptine did, by clinical signs.
Milk ThistleSilybum marianum
Traditionally used to increase breast milk. It's unclear whether it works.
ShatavariAsparagus racemosus
Traditionally used in Ayurveda to increase breast milk. A Cochrane review found the evidence for herbal milk boosters is very uncertain.
VervainStachytarpheta jamaicensis
Traditionally used in southern Nigeria to increase breast milk.