Hi, All:  I'm working with a mom from Indonesia who says that in her country 
nursing mothers take an herb to ensure plentiful milk.  She showed me the 
bottle - the herb is:  sauropus androgynus folium (botanical name) or Katuk.  I 
googled it and came up with a number of sites, almost all in the Indonesian 
language.  The little I could find in English stated that this herb is primarily 
used as a galactagogue as well as a fever-reducer.  The mom used this herb 
with her first baby who she successfully nursed, no issues.  She says the 
custom is to take the herb only until the milk is in and established.  She said 
she used it about 10 days with her first and felt it did ensure "plentiful milk".  
Her parents (both in from Indonesia to help the family for a while) said they 
brought the herb with them for her use.  Her mother said that use of this herb 
is what all new mothers do in her country.
Does anyone have any more information on Katuk, especially any known side 
effects or cautions?  I have never heard of this galactagogue, and apparently, 
an entire country has been using this herb for generations!  Might be another 
useful tool to add to the tool box.

Pam Hirsch, BSN,RN,IBCLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL   USA

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