A galactagogue is a food, herb, or medication that helps increase the production of breastmilk. This publication provides some basic information about galactagogues for anyone interested in the topic.
What are galactagogues?
Galactagogues are foods, herbs, or medications that help increase low breastmilk supply. Sadly, there are very few scientific studies on galactagogues, so we do not know much about whether they are safe and effective (Bazzano et al. 2017). If you are experiencing low breastmilk supply or think you may be experiencing low breastmilk supply, please talk to a physician or international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) as soon as possible. This publication cannot replace help from a qualified medical professional, and the sooner you get help for problems with milk supply, the better. Please note that a galactagogue will not boost supply without adequate pumping or nursing.
Foods
Many cultures have traditional foods believed to improve milk production, but few of these foods have been studied to measure their actual impact. For example, Korean mothers traditionally consume brown seaweed soup to boost their milk supply, but there are currently no valid clinical studies that determine for certain if seaweed soup increases milk production (LactMed® 2006c). One observational study of traditional Thai galactagogue foods found increased breastmilk volume with the consumption of basil, eggs, and a few other foods traditionally believed to boost milk production (Buntuchai et al. 2017). There are also many recipes and ways to purchase “lactation cookies” online; however, a recent study found no change in breastmilk production after the consumption of lactation cookies (Palacios et al. 2023).
Herbs
In addition to foods, many herbs are believed to be galactagogues. For example, Torbangun is an herb thought by the Bataknese people to increase milk production (Damanik 2009), and a randomized trial supported this possibility (Damanik et al. 2006). Fenugreek is another herb that can help boost milk production (Khan et al. 2018). While red raspberry leaf is thought to be a galactagogue, there are currently no valid clinical studies focused on raspberry leaf alone to support this (LactMed® 2006b).
An important thing to remember is that herbal supplements can interfere with medications and can have side effects; for example, fenugreek can cause diarrhea and nausea (Ouzir et al. 2016). It is important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new herbal supplement and to let them know all the herbal supplements you are taking.
Medications
There are no drugs approved for use to treat low breastmilk supply in the United States as of the end of 2023 (Cleveland Clinic 2024). One drug, domperidone, is known to produce moderate, short-term increases in milk production (Grzeskowiak et al. 2019). However, domperidone is not approved for use to increase breastmilk production in the United States because of the many side effects associated with the drug, including sudden cardiac arrest (LactMed® 2006a). Other medications that are potential galactagogues include metoclopramide, oxytocin, prolactin, and metformin, but information on how well these drugs work and how safe they are for treating low breastmilk supply is currently minimal (Grzeskowiak et al. 2019).
Summary
Many foods, herbs, and medications are actively researched for their potential as galactagogues. Scientists have a lot more to learn about which of these are safe for mothers and babies and which are effective at increasing milk production. Please talk to your doctor or an international board-certified lactation consultant for the most up-to-date information about which galactagogues you may want to try.
References
Bazzano, A. N., L. Cenac, A. J. Brandt, J. Barnett, S. Thibeau, and K. P. Theall. 2017. “Maternal Experiences with and Sources of Information on Galactagogues to Support Lactation: A Cross-Sectional Study.” International Journal of Women’s Health 9: 105–113. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S128517
Buntuchai, G., P. Pavadhgul, W. Kittipichai, and W. Satheannoppakao. 2017. “Traditional Galactagogue Foods and Their Connection to Human Milk Volume in Thai Breastfeeding Mothers.” Journal of Human Lactation 33 (3): 552–559. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334417709432
Cleveland Clinic. 2024. “Low Milk Supply.” Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Last updated January 25, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/galactagogues-low-milk-supply
Damanik, R. 2009. “Torbangun (Coleus amboinicus Lour): A Bataknese Traditional Cuisine Perceived as Lactagogue by Bataknese Lactating Women in Simalungun, North Sumatera, Indonesia.” Journal of Human Lactation 25 (1): 64–72. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334408326086
Damanik, R., M. L. Wahlqvist, and N. Wattanapenpaiboon. 2006. “Lactagogue Effects of Torbangun, a Bataknese Traditional Cuisine.” Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition 15 (2): 267–274. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16672214/
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). 2006a. “Domperidone.” National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Last updated January 15, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501371/
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). 2006b. “Raspberry.” National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Last updated August 15, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501785/
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). 2006c. “Seaweed.” National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Last updated October 15, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501850/
Grzeskowiak, L. E., M. E. Wlodek, and D. T. Geddes. 2019. “What evidence do we have for pharmaceutical galactagogues in the treatment of lactation insufficiency? A narrative review.” Nutrients 11 (5): 974. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11050974
Khan, T. M., D. B.-C. Wu, and A. V. Dolzhenko. 2018. “Effectiveness of Fenugreek as a Galactagogue: A Network Meta-Analysis.” Phytotherapy Research 32 (3): 402–412. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5972
Ouzir, M., K. El Bairi, and S. Amzazi. 2016. “Toxicological Properties of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum).” Food and Chemical Toxicology 96: 145–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2016.08.003
Palacios, A. M., M. I. Cardel, E. Parker, et al. 2023. “Effectiveness of Lactation Cookies on Human Milk Production Rates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 117 (5): 1035–1042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.03.010