Author(s): Santos, Bruna ; Lomba, Marta ; Correia, Patrícia ; Pinho, Cláudia ; Correia, Patrícia Carla dos Santos Correia ; Pinho, Cláudia
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/32759
Origin: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico do Porto
Subject(s): Galactagogue plants; Milk production; Dietary supplements
Breast milk provides both physical and psychological benefits for the mother and the infant. In cases of insufficient milk production, plants with galactagogue properties are considered an option, with traditional reports supporting their use. To collect and analyze dietary supplements (DS) containing plants, sold online, with galactagogue indications. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted, using Google® platform to collect galactagogue DS in January 2025. Included criteria were DS for human use, DS with isolated or combined plants, stores selling DS. Labelling information, including active ingredients, indications for use, adverse reactions, interactions, and contraindications, was collected from the analysed DS. A total of 16 DS from 14 websites were included in the study (ten containing mixtures of plants and six containing a single plant). In total, 21 different plants were identified. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) (seven DS) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) (six DS) were the most commonly used. Information on contraindications, such as not recommended for pregnant women, children, or individuals with allergies (to fish, fish oil, or soy), or in cases of known hypersensitivity to some ingredient, was included in 12 DS (75.0%). Only three DS (18.8%) provided details on adverse reactions and two DS on potential interactions (12.5%). The DS analyzed exhibited variations in their composition. Standardized studies are needed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of these supplements, as well as to validate the effectiveness of the formulations and the potential synergistic effects between the plants.
