Lactation is an exciting phase of a woman’s life. Breast milk is not only the only food for the infant in the first 6 months but also a time where the baby bonds with his/her mother, builds his immunity and there is a rapid physical and mental development.

WHO promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of an infant’s life. But due to many reasons, some women are not able to secrete enough milk to satisfy their infant. 

To improve lactation/milk production, there are many natural and pharmaceutical products called galactogogues available in the market. Some of the common ones are garlic, dill leaves, fenugreek and herbs like shatavari. 

However there are a few not so common foods that are used as galactogogues in many parts of India. They are – 

1. Milk Thistle – Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) known as ‘doodh patra’ is a flowering herb which has many therapeutic benefits. Silymarin comprises 65%-80% of milk thistle extract. Studies showed that women taking silybum produced 64.43% more milk than those in the placebo group, suggesting potential efficacy of milk thistle as a galactagogue.
2. Moringa – Everyone likes to eat drumsticks but did you know that the leaves are nutritious too? Moringa leaves are rich in B vitamins and minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium etc. Moringa leaves are also known to be an excellent galactogogue. As per a study conducted by the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Philippines, the nursing mothers who consumed moringa capsules observed a marked increase in breast milk production.
3. Barley – One of the least used grain but a very nutritious one is Barley. Barley is a grain that contains beta-glucan, a sugar that raises prolactin levels in the body, which helps produce more milk in a lactating mother. Barley can be used as soup or barley can be boiled and that water can be had the whole day, this helps with hydration too.
4. Brewer’s yeast – This type of yeast is used to make certain varieties of Beer and bread. It is a good source of B vitamins and minerals like selenium and chromium which can increase the milk production in lactating mothers. More recent research on the galactagogue effect of brewer’s yeast suggests B vitamins can improve mom’s mood, increase levels of oxytocin, and make milk let-down easier and more efficient. Plus, brewer’s yeast contains ergosterol, a compound that supports healthy breast tissue and may inhibit breast cancer cell formation.
5. Star Anise – A popular spice used for biryanis and pulao is also a galactogogue. Anise (Pimpinella anisum) seeds contain anethole, which is a phytoestrogen. Anise is a purported galactogogue, and is included in some proprietary mixtures promoted to increase milk supply.

If you are a lactating mother and want to introduce galactogogues in your diet, it is advisable to take the help of a dietitian or a lactation specialist who can advise the right type of galactogogues depending on your health and requirement.