Table 3 Top ten most commonly used herbal medicines during breastfeeding (in descending order of popularity)
From: The use of herbal medicines during breastfeeding: a population-based survey in Western Australia
Common name of herbal medicine | Binomial/scientific name | n (%) reporting use of this herb | n (% of specific herb users) who believed the herb helped | Reasons for use (% of specific herb users) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fenugreek | Trigonella foenum-graecum | 56 (18.4) | 44 (78.6) | Increase breast milk supply (98.2) |
Boost immune system during cold (1.8) | ||||
Ginger | Zingiber officinale | 36 (11.8) | 17 (47.2) | General health enhancement, tradition (65.7) |
Relief of “winds” and “air” (22.9), Others (11.4) | ||||
Dong quai | Angelica sinensis | 24 (7.9) | 10 (41.7) | General health enhancement (90.9) |
Others (9.1) | ||||
Chamomile | Matricaria chamomilla | 22 (7.2) | 13 (59.1) | Calming and relaxation, stress (86.4) |
Others (13.6) | ||||
Garlic | Allium sativum | 20 (6.6) | 7 (35.0) | Boost immune system during cold (38.9) |
General health enhancement, tradition (50.0) | ||||
Antifungal (5.6) | ||||
Improve blood circulation (5.6) | ||||
Blessed thistle | Cnicus benedictus | 18 (5.9) | 15 (83.3) | Increase breast milk supply (100.0) |
Cranberry | Vaccinium macrocarpon | 15 (4.9) | 6 (40.0) | Urinary tract infections/bladder health (76.9) |
Others (23.1) | ||||
Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare | 15 (4.9) | 10 (66.7) | Increase breast milk supply (80.0) |
Relieve of colic (13.3) | ||||
Energy, restore iron levels from blood loss (6.7) | ||||
Aloe vera | Aloe vera | 10 (3.3) | 2 (20.0) | Detox (n = 6) |
Aids digestion, intestinal health (n = 1) | ||||
General health enhancement (n = 1) | ||||
Sunburn, cooling effect (n = 1) | ||||
Peppermint | Mentha piperita | 10 (3.3) | 7 (70.0) | Calming and relaxation (n = 6) |
Relieve of bloating (n = 2), Others (n = 2) |