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Best Herbs to Increase Breastmilk Production

 

There are several herbs that work well to increase milk production.  You may be wondering which one is best for you!  Here is a brief summary - there is MUCH more information under Articles & Information and a more detailed and comprehensive one in the Premium Article section.  Here is a brief summary though:

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Blessed Thistle Tincture
 
Price$13.50

May help increase breastmilk production. It is a good choice for those who find that Fenugreek does not provide expected results.

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Echinacea Tincture
 
Price$16.50

Traditionally used as a natural antibiotic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral. Safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Fenugreek Info


Fenugreek is one of the most effective herbs for increasing breastmilk production. Even moms of adopted babies have been able to establish a milk supply using Fenugreek

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Fenugreek Tincture
 
Price$21.95

Traditionally known to be one of the most popular and effective herbs for increasing breastmilk production.

Fenugreek: A great herb for increasing milk production, but you need to know how to use it correctly!

Fenugreek Seed is one of the most well-known and effective herbs used to increase breastmilk production, BUT there are some things you need to know when using it.

Flower Essences (and Rescue Remedy)


In the late 1920's, Dr. Edward Bach, a renowned British scientist and physician, observed that his patients' healing and well-being were directly influenced by their state of mind and emotional health. He noticed that the personality, attitude and present outlook of a patient had a great deal to do with their being cured or remaining sick. He understood that "the personality of the individual is of even more importance than the body in the treatment of disease". He realized that, instead of treating the patient as a body with an illness, the patient needed to be treated like an individual. "Treat the patient, not the disease."

Galactagogues - Herbs that Increase Breastmilk Production


A galactagogue is an herb that is used to help increase breastmilk production in nursing mothers. Below is a list of some of the more effective and popular herbs and some important information about each.  For a list of the products that Herb Lore offers that include these herbs, information about which one is appropriate for your situation, and helpful dosage information, please click HERE.

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Goat's Rue Tincture
 
Price$13.50

Traditionally known as a powerful herb for increasing breastmilk production. Great choice for women with IGT, hypoplasia, previous breast surgeries, or a low milk supply from the start.

Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy and Lactation


The lists below are not all-inclusive, but will provide a general guideline of some of the most commonly used western herbs that should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

How to Increase Your Breastmilk Supply - The Summarized Version


What are the main herbs for increasing milk production?  There are many to choose from, such as Nursing Tea Moringa Blend, Nursing Tincture Moringa Blend, Goat's Rue, Moringa Leaf, ShatavariBlessed Thistle, and Fenugreek. How do I choose which is the right one for my situation?  How do I use them correctly for best results?

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Iron Tonic Tincture
 
Price$24.50

Helps support healthy blood levels and may help with anemic-type situations without causing constipation like a pharmaceutical iron supplement would.

Labor Medications: Oh yes, it affects breastfeeding.

by Laurie Chamberlin CD, ICCE, CLE

‘Will the pain medication I have in labor affect my baby?” asks my client Olivia with curious eyes. I think I know the answer she is hoping for and I don’t think I can give it to her. “Yes” I reply, to which I see a momentary flutter of disappointment cross her face. “Most medication reaches the baby in ten minutes.” At a lactation conference put on by the Breastfeeding Coalition of Placer County, Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC says Fentanyl, a common pain medication used in labor, lasts about 2 hours in the mother and can last up to 13 hours in a baby. Babies should not be breastfed for 4 hours after administration. Often times mothers will receive more than one shot, that stacks up and may take a day or more for it to wear off in the baby.

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Mullein Tincture
 
Price$13.50

The only herb that may be used for cough and respiratory issues that is safe for use by pregnant and breastfeeding women.  It's also a great choice for children or the elderly.

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Nursing Mother's Liver Tonic
 
Price$24.50

These herbs have traditionally and successfully been used as gentle liver cleansers, and are all safe for use while breastfeeding.

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Nursing Tea Moringa Blend
 
Price$19.95

May help to increase breastmilk production while helping to ease gas or colic. Great choice for mothers with newborns, or babies with gas or sensitive tummies.

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Nursing Tincture Moringa Blend
 
Price$21.95

May help to increase breastmilk production while helping to ease gas or colic. Great choice for mothers with newborns, or babies with gas or sensitive tummies in the convenient liquid-extract tincture form.

Poke Root


Poke Root is one of the best herbs to help clear mastitis (breast infection). It is traditionally used as a lymph cleanser, and has a special affinity for red, inflamed mammary glands, testicles and throat. The typical experience with this herb is that a breast infection will usually clear up within 24 hours, without the use of antibiotics. It is also useful in cases of a sore throat with swollen lymph glands in the neck. This too, usually will clear overnight.

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Poke Root Tincture
 
Price$12.50

Traditionally used to help clear breast infection (mastitis) and plugged ducts. Typically works within 24 hours.

Postpartum Emotions (and a Note about Postpartum Depression)

As I was writing my blog about herbs for increasing breastmilk production, I felt guided to address how normal, natural and common it is for women to feel very emotional and feel the need to cry after they've given birth, or at any time postpartum.  It became clear that it needed to be a blog post all of its own.  

Recommended Reading for Lactation

Nursing Mother’s Companion, by Kathleen Huggins  (includes a great section in the back regarding the safety of drugs during breastfeeding)

Bestfeeding, by Suzanne Arms

Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, by La Leche League

Essential Guide to Prescription Drugs, by James J. Rybacki & James W. Long  (has list of 2000 prescription drugs, listing any interactions with herbs and whether safe or not for pregnancy and lactation)

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Relax Tincture
 
Price$15.50

An herbal combination used to calm, soothe and relax the entire body and mind.

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Rescue Remedy
 
Price$12.50

A flower essence combination used to ease stress, anxiety, panic attack, trauma, or fear. Helps to balance the emotions.

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Sage Tea
 
Price$12.50

Traditionally used to dry up or decrease breastmilk. Also helps ease hot flashes in menopausal women.

Sage Tea & Sage Tincture


Sage Tea (or Tincture) is the best herb used to decrease breastmilk production, which is helpful for weaning or when over-production, chronic or frequent engorgement, or plugged ducts is a problem, or in cases of fetal demise. 

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Sage Tincture
 
Price$13.50

Traditionally used to dry up or decrease breastmilk. Also may help alleviate hot flashes in menopausal women.

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Tummy Tincture
 
Price$15.50

Helps ease symptoms of gas, colic, reflux and other digestive complaints including indigestion, nausea, and heartburn.

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Valerian Root Tincture
 
Price$15.50

Traditionally known to be one of the most effective herbs for sleep & relaxation. It is also effective for balancing ADHD.

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Vitex Tincture
 
Price$34.98

Helps to balance the female hormone system, helping to ease PMS symptoms, menopausal symptoms, and helping aid fertility.

Testimonial

I just wanted to thank you for the WONDERFUL soothing Postpartum Sitz Bath Herbs!  I had surgery (enterocele/rectocele repair) a week ago.  Not only that, I ended up with a bladder infection due to the Foley catheter.  I came home sore, tearful, and incontinent.  Then came the yeast infection.  I ended up with 11 prescriptions.  Then I bought the Postpartum Sitz Bath Herbs and I've already made my third batch.  Aaaahhhhh!  I'm taking sitz baths and using a peri bottle to squirt the herbs onto the sore area.  I'm still tender, however I am SO much more comfortable!  I wish I had the herbs a week earlier!  I'm going to let my surgeon know!  Every woman having vaginal surgery should know that these herbs aren't just for postpartum!  Thanks again!  E.N.