Galactagogue

Galactagogues are herbs that promote the flow of breastmilk either through hormonal modulation or increased blood flow and nutritional support to the mammary glands. These herbs may act by stimulating prolactin or oxytocin release, both of which are essential hormones for milk synthesis and ejection.

Other mechanisms include enhancing milk secretion by upregulating water channels in breast tissue, thereby helping to improve fluid movement. Galactagogues can be applied to support low milk supply, to facilitate lactation after weaning.

Examples of galactagogues herbs include fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare), celery seed (Apium graveolens) and shatavari root (Asparagus racemosus).