>One of the LCs at our hospital recently had a couple who were from India.
>Mom's milk supply low -- long story -- the LC recommended, among other things,
>fenugreek.  When mom came back in for a recheck, she asked about the
>fenugreek.  Dad said they hadn't done it, but had done an old Indian remedy
>for low milk supply instead.  To wit:
>
>1/2 cup dill seeds
>Steep in water overnight
>boil until very dark in color
>strain
>drink one cup of this dill tea a day.
>
>Mom's milk supply was way up.  Anyone heard of this or know what the possible
>mode of action might be?
>
>Jan Barger

Yes, I have heard of this, and quite a few others. A pharmacist here in
Perth, Bob Longmore, gave a presentation at a seminar last July when Ruth
Lawrence was here. He has studied galactagogues in traditional writings and
tried to work out the mode of action of these from the chemicals they
contain. He included in his list aniseed & star anise, dill, vervain, holy
thistle, milk thistle, fennel, fenugreek and nigella. Also at the end of
the list, goats rue, chaste berry and raspberry leaf. I have seen or heard
of several of these on Lactnet and from other people in the last few years.
Some of the characteristics in common with some of these were calming
effects (? like oxytocin) and mild oestrogenic effects, although this is
not the case with all of them. Some seem to be still a mystery. A write-up
of his talk is in 'ALCA Galaxy' (newsletter of Australian Lactation
Consultants Association) Aug 1998, p 24-25. It is all very 'chemical'. But
fascinating, and great that a 'conventional' pharmacist and scientist is
taking an interest in finding out more about these herbal galactagogues.

Jan, I *loved* your post about Vegemite! I laughed out loud when I read it!
Now if this accounts for lots of milk in our mums, shouldn't it also
contribute to thrush (as it is a yeast extract)? We usually recommend that
it is one of the foods to avoid when suffering thrush. Many Aussies do seem
to be addicted to it - I have heard stories of Australian tourists
smuggling it into their luggage when they travel overseas! And you
mentioned small jars of it in restaurants, it  has always been available in
Australia in those little plastic single-serve squares like you get for jam
(ie 'jelly' in US) and marmalade, when served with a continental breakfast
in hotels and restaurants.

BTW, you're welcome to come 'home' to Australia anytime you want!

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Joy Anderson B.Sc. Dip.Ed. Grad.Dip.Med.Tech. IBCLC
Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia Breastfeeding Counsellor
Perth, Western Australia.   mailto:[log in to unmask]
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