Breastfeeding can bring many challenges related to lactation, especially during the early phase, post-delivery. Dr. Srikanthbabu Perugu, BAMS MD Ayurveda, Principal at Dr. BRKR Govt. Ayurvedic College, Hyderabad says, “Many times, breast milk may not be good to feed the baby. This can happen in a situation where the mother is ill or infected with fever, due to which the milk can be infected or affected. There can be certain other reasons like dietary habits, mother’s health, toxic food, etc. for vitiation of breast milk”
How To Test?
Breast milk has its natural flavour and consistency can be tested in the following manner:
- Pour some breast milk in a cup of water
- If it dissolves completely, it is fit for the baby
- If it does not dissolve and settles at the bottom of the cup, then it should not be fed to the baby.
If the milk is heavy, foul-smelling, or contains sticky material, it is not fit for feeding the baby.
Useful Ayurvedic Herbs
“Therefore, there are certain herbs in Ayurveda that help in improving and increasing breast milk. They are called Galactagogue. All these herbs are helpful in removing various doshas (bad factors) from the Breast Milk”.
- Shatavari
It helps in increasing the quantity of breast milk and improves its quality as well. - Patha/ Midwives herb
Patha helps with various disorders related to breast and breast milk. It also purifies the milk and removes the doshas or morbid factors. - Ginger
It improves the digestion, absorption, and assimilation of breast milk for the baby. It reduces the heaviness of breast milk and removes blocks in channels, thus enhancing the supply of breast milk. - Deodar
It helps in removing the bad factors in breast milk and adds lightness to it. - Musta/ Nutgrass
It is very helpful in breast milk purification from pitta dosha. - Murva/ Bowstring hemp
It enhances the free flow of the milk by clearing all the micro blocks in the channels and adds quality to it. - Guduchi/ Giloy
Guduchi or Giloy provides immunity-boosting properties, which helps the baby to fight certain diseases. - Kutaja
This herb removes protozoal infections from breast milk and makes it more palatable and easy to digest for the baby. - Sharp root/ Kiratatikta
It is highly used for controlling normal fever, infected fever, or malarial fever in both mother and baby. - Katuka Rohini
It is the best antiviral drug, especially for hepatitis. It is also helpful in the case of milk lumps formed in the breast and improves the flow of breast milk. - Sariva/ Indian Sarasporilla
Sariva Sariva helps in giving a good flavour and taste to the breast milk and makes it easier for the baby to digest it. - Jeevanti
A variety of leafy vegetables. Its consumption improves the quantity of breast milk.
Therefore, all these herbs are very helpful in the process of improving lactation. However, one must consult a doctor before consuming these herbs to understand its exact effects and proper dosage. These herbs can also have some contraindications and thus, medical assistance prior to its consumption is highly recommended.
