By Cheryl Taylor, CBE
 Mother's
milk tea
This tea is a very mild galactagogue (a substance that increases
milk supply is called a galactagogue) containing fenugreek.
Some women find that drinking several cups a day is all that is
needed of fenugreek to boost their supply. An easy way to drink
it is to brew a few cups very strong and cool it. It can be
drunk either iced straight or mixed half and half with apple
juice
Continued Use
As with commercial medications, when taking herbs you should
always start with the mildest and work your way up, always
starting with the lowest dosage possible. Also, keep in
mind that galactagogues should be used for boosting supply, not
maintaining. Once your supply has established itself at an
adequate level, you should try weaning back off the herbs and
see if your supply will maintain where needed. They can always
be resumed if necessary, but excessive use can lead to unwanted
side effects. If you find that you're in a situation where
you need to take a galactagogue on an extended basis you should
do a program of six weeks on and three weeks off. If you
do not give your body a break it will become resistant to the
herbs and they will become ineffective.
Milder Galactagogues
If you are looking into trying a galactagogue, start with things
like:
 |
Alfalfa, work up to four
capsules three times a day
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Marshmallow, work up to
four capsules three times a day
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Nettle, work up to two
capsules three times a day
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Dill, use two teaspoons
of raw dill seed on your lunch and dinner or use it
to brew a tea
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Blessed thistle, work up
to three capsules three times a day
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These are much safer herbs. Most galactagogues
are more effective when used in combination.
Combining two or three is much more effective than just
using one.
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Breastfeeding
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