Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a plant in the Fabaceae family, who's leaves and seeds are used as herbs and spice.

Fenugreek is also considered a Galactogogue and recommended by some to increase breastmilk supply. It is taken in capsule form and moms usually see an increase in milk supply by about 48 hours but it could take up to two weeks. When taken in large doses, which is required for increased milk production, the mother's sweat and urine will smell like maple syrup.

There are no studies indicating problems with long-term usage. According to Kathleen Huggins, "Most mothers have found that the herb can be discontinued once milk production is stimulated to an appropriate level. Adequate production is usually maintained as long as sufficient breast stimulation and emptying continues." [Huggins].

Per Kellymom:

Suggested dosage

Fenugreek is considered safe for nursing moms when used in moderation and is on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's GRAS list (Generally Recognized As Safe) and Lactation Risk Category L3 (moderately safe). Fenugreek is not considered safe to take during pregnancy. According to Kellymom there are possible side effects of taking fenugreek:


 * Sweat and urine smells like maple syrup; milk and/or breastfed baby may smell like maple syrup.
 * Occasionally causes loose stools, which go away when fenugreek is discontinued.
 * Use of more than 100 grams of fenugreek seeds daily can cause intestinal distress and nausea (recommended dose is less than 8 grams per day).
 * Repeated external applications can result in undesirable skin reactions [Wichtl 1994].
 * Ingestion of fenugreek seeds or tea in infants or late-term pregnant women can lead to false diagnosis of maple syrup urine disease in the infant due to presence of sotolone in the urine. See [Korman 2001] and other studies on fenugreek and maple syrup urine smell.

Ruth A. Laurence, M.D. says: "'Fenugreek probably has little effect on milk supply until a mother takes large amounts of (about three capsules, three times per day, but this varies from pill-to-pill) and her milk and urine begin to smell like maple syrup, though no clinical trials have been conducted to prove or disprove this relationship. When a mother takes large quantities of fenugreek, the baby begins to smell like maple syrup too, and some babies have been misdiagnosed as having 'maple syrup urine disease,' a serious metabolic disorder. Another danger associated with fenugreek is that the herb is related to peanuts, the food most likely to cause an allergy.  The possibility of an allergic reaction in a baby is quite high, and many cases of colic, stomach upset, and diarrhea have been reported among babies whose mothers take fenugreek.""My own experience counseling women to use fenugreek to enhance milk production has been mixed. Many mothers at our lactation center report that fenugreek had no effect on their milk supply, while others are quite laudatory about its effect on the amount of milk they produce.'" To compare prices and shop online for fenugreek, click HERE.

This entry was added to the original BirthWiki by amyncarter on 26 July 2009.