Herbal Galactogogues
The following information is based mainly on general or anecdotal use, animal studies, and a few research studies.
Recommendations for dosages differ; titrate up or down to need.
Potency of products and types may vary: tincture most effective, capsules mildly effective, teas least effective.
Rotate herbs every few weeks or take a break for a week and restart.
Mechanism Of Action
Side Effects
Cautions
Mild laxative
Fenugreek, Alfalfa, or
Blessed Thistle
Diuretic
Decreases GI inflammation
Nourishing
Malunggay/
Moringa
May increase
prolactin
Estrogenic
High in Ca, Fe, K, Vit A & C
Nettle
Supports effects
of Fenugreek or Alfalfa
Pituitary support
Diuretic
Mammary stimulation
Diuretic
Anti-diabetic
Appetite suppressant
Antianxiety/Antidepressant
High in Fe
Nutritive
GI stimulant
GI distress
Hypotensive
Diaphoresis
Safe as single
product
Safe
Mild laxative
Avoid
Antidiabetic
Mild laxative
Safe
Blessed thistle
Fennel
Fenugreek
Goat’s rue
Hops
Supports alfalfa
or fenugreek
Mammary stimulation
Raises prolactin
Phytoestrogenic
May support MER
Stimulates breast
development
Diuretic
Stimulates breast
development
Diuretic
Marshmallow root Supports effects of
Oat straw
Shatavari
Silymarin/
Milk thistle
Allergy to peanuts
Avoid with lupus
Use in Preg
Diuretic
High in Ca, Fe, Vit K
Antifungal
Appetite stimulant
Calming
Hormone balancer
Anti-androgen/
estrogenic
Appetite suppressant
Stimulates growth
hormone
Hyperemic
Mild sedative
Contains galegin
(Metformin precursor): may
balance blood sugar/PCOS
Estrogenic
Calming
No effect on prolactin
Alfalfa leaf
Mammary
stimulation
Pituitary support
Supports alfalfa
or fenugreek
Beneficial Effects
Dosage
Safe
2-4 caps TID-QID
GI distress
Rare allergy
Avoid
GI distress
Rare allergy
Safe as single
product
1-3 caps TID
As directed in
More Milk Plus
1-3 caps TID
More Milk Plus TID
GI distress, diarrhea
Diaphoresis
Strong body odor
Hypoglycemia
Diaphoresis
Hypoglycemia
Caution with diabetes,
hypothyroidism, asthma
Allergy to peanuts,
ragweed
Diabetes
Avoid
Sedation
Avoid in depression
Avoid
2 caps TID
1 St Pauli’s Girl nonalcoholic beer
Mucilage may
interfere with med
absorption
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia
Diabetes
Avoid
2-4 caps TID
Caution with
hypothyroidism
Safe
2-3 caps TID
(Natalac, Pro-lacta, Golacta, Mo Mama Milk)
1-3 caps TID
More Milk Plus TID
2 caps BID-TID
Safe, after
16-20 weeks
3 caps TID-QID
(3-6 gm/day), ac
Faster response
with tincture
1-2 ml (10-15 gtts)
tincture TID
1-2 caps BID
Concentrated extract
Lactare (with licorice,
fenugreek, ashwaganda)
2 caps (500 mg) TID
BIO-C 420 mg QD
Homeopathic Galactogogues
General directions:
Use 6-12C for less serious situations, 30C for more serious need
Give 1-2 pellets or drops every 2-4 hours, or with every feeding
Take on a clean mouth: nothing to eat or drink for 15 min before or after remedy
Reassess a remedy (change remedy, increase potency, or stop use) if no improvement within 1-2 days
Stop the remedy when supply has increased
Repeat the remedy after several days if supply goes down
Lactuca Virosa - General use for low milk supply, strong
Calcarea carbonica or Urtica urens - General use, especially with hemorrhage or anemia
Causticum or Helonias - Maternal exhaustion
Dulcamara or Ignatia - Sudden loss of milk
Galega - Poor nutrition or anemia
Lactogenic Foods
Action
Barley water
Polysaccharide in grain appears to
increase prolactin
Beer
Hops, barley malt, and brewer’s yeast
promote supply
Cautions
Brands
Dosage
Drink 1 cup up to 4 times a day
ETOH may impair MER and
reduce milk flow
Coffee substitutes Powdered drinks formulated from barley,
with malt, or chicory which promote
supply
St. Pauli’s Girl nonalchoholic Guinness Stout
Drink no more than 1 beer daily
Caro, Roma, Cafix, Pero,
Dandy Blend
Drink 1-2 cups a day
Ginger
May be helpful with MER
Avoid 1st week postpartum if
had postpartum hemorrhage
Drink 1-2 cups of tea or ginger ale
a day
Green drinks
Lactogenic ingredients: alfalfa, barley
grass, malt, oat-straw, spirulina
May increase fat in milk
Avoid high concentration of
chlorella
Drink 16 oz a day
Oats
May support pituitary action, assist MER
High in Fe, protein, minerals, and fiber
Steel-cut oats highest in
nutrition
1-2 servings a day