Roghayeh Javan1, Behjat Javadi2, Zohre Feyzabadi3. 1. 1 Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences , Sabzevar, Iran . 2. 2 Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad, Iran . 3. 3 Department of Persian Medicine, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad, Iran .
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The beneficial effects of breastfeeding for the infant and mother are well recognized. Many natural products are reputed to be galactogogue agents in major Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) textbooks. The aim of this study is to review those medicinal plants that are reported to be effective in increasing breast milk in TPM and to compare the data from TPM texts with the findings of modern pharmacological and clinical research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on the medicinal plants used to increase breast milk were obtained from major TPM textbooks. A detailed search in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases was performed to confirm the effects of medicinal plants mentioned in TPM on lactation in view of the identified pharmacological actions. RESULTS: Foeniculum vulgare, Anethum graveolens, Pimpinella anisum, Nigella sativa, and Vitex agnus-castus are among the most effective galactogogue TPM plants. Many pharmacologically relevant activities have been reported for these herbs. CONCLUSION: The use of traditional knowledge can pave the way toward finding effective phytopharmaceuticals for increasing breast milk.
INTRODUCTION: The beneficial effects of breastfeeding for the infant and mother are well recognized. Many natural products are reputed to be galactogogue agents in major Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) textbooks. The aim of this study is to review those medicinal plants that are reported to be effective in increasing breast milk in TPM and to compare the data from TPM texts with the findings of modern pharmacological and clinical research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on the medicinal plants used to increase breast milk were obtained from major TPM textbooks. A detailed search in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases was performed to confirm the effects of medicinal plants mentioned in TPM on lactation in view of the identified pharmacological actions. RESULTS:Foeniculum vulgare, Anethum graveolens, Pimpinella anisum, Nigella sativa, and Vitex agnus-castus are among the most effective galactogogue TPM plants. Many pharmacologically relevant activities have been reported for these herbs. CONCLUSION: The use of traditional knowledge can pave the way toward finding effective phytopharmaceuticals for increasing breast milk.
Entities:
Keywords:
Traditional Persian Medicine; breastfeeding; galactagogue plants; milk production