In a message dated 11/6/0 2:59:42 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:
<< Please be VERY careful when referring to any reporter's interpretation of
Dr. Ruth Lawrence's statements on herbs. Or anyone else's statements on any
aspect of BF, for that matter. Reporters write stories that are designed
sell newspapers, and exaggerating the alleged risks of BF is a very common
tactic.>>
I agree. In my reply, I did state *if* this is waht she really said...
<<I didn't hear Dr. Lawrence's talk, so I have no comment on what she actually
did or didn't say regarding fenugreek. Sounds like it's time for a REAL
research study on this herb, eh? And as I said in a previous post, we owe it
to ourselves and our clients to read the original research on this and other
aspects of lactation. >>
I checked this out with one of the best herbalists I know. She did indeed do
a literature search. What she foubd was the the one study done on humans used
a dosage of 25-100mg per day of the dried herb. In the study, blood glucose
levels were lowered *only* in those subjects who already had diabetes. In
those who did not there was *no change*. The conclusion of the study was that
fenugreek could be used as paret of the treatment for diabetes as it may
reduce the need for insulin. It also lowered cholesteral, but did not lower
HDL.
In the MIddle East, fenugreek is cooked into bread and eaten--it is a
food which has been shown to be very nutritious. There was no study to be
found that showed any connection to blood pressure. Fenugreek is mucilaginous
and coats and soothes the digestive tract, so it can loosen stools, but this
is not a concern.
On another point, she said that fenugreek has a history dating back to
ancient Greece and is used traditionally in both Western and Chinese medicine
as a galactogogue.
Her theory is that fenugreek works so well b/c it has a certain compound
which acts as an adaptogen, modulating hormones. Adaptogens have no affect
when none is needed and a corrective affect when it is needed. This would
explain the response to blood sugar.
One last note, parsley is a far stronger diuretic than fennel and we do
not tell mothers to avoid eating parsley.
BTW, she gave me this info by phone and I took notes, but I will ask her
to email me the source study.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA
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