Pax
Registered User
Taken from: Invalid Link Removed
"Mothers who wish to build their milk supplies may consider using Fenugreek. Fenugreek is an herb that has long been used by healers as medicine, and as a galactogogue (to boost milk supply). Historically, fenugreek is an herb, trigonella foenum-graecum L, and is grown in various countries around the world including Argentina, France, India, and North Africa, and in the Mediterranean countries. The dried ripe seed of the plant is used, with one active ingredient being diosgenin. Fenugreek is used as a ground seed (high in fiber) in capsule form, or in tea, to increase milk production. The tea is weaker than the capsule form.
The dose is 2-3 capsules (580-610 mg each), taken by mouth 3 times/day. Taking a lesser dose may not increase supply. Results are often noticed in 1-3 days, although some mothers report no improvement. A bottle of 100 capsules can cost between $6-8 US, and it is available in health food stores and natural food stores. There is no reliable clinical research that supports the use of this herb, although many practitioners do use it with breastfeeding mothers with good success. Fenugreek is used in artificial maple flavorings, and also has a food product. If used to build milk supply, Fenugreek can generally be discontinued after milk supply is increased, as long as a mother can regularly breastfeed or pump."
Another little blurb taken from: Invalid Link Removed
Fenugreek and breastfeeding ? Fenugreek seeds contain hormone precursors that increase milk supply. Scientists do not know for sure how this happens. Some believe it is possible because breasts are modified sweat glands, and fenugreek stimulates sweat production. It has been found that fenugreek can increase a nursing mother?s milk supply within 24 to 72 hours after first taking the herb. Once an adequate level of milk production is reached, most women can discontinue the fenugreek and maintain the milk supply with adequate breast stimulation. Many women today take fenugreek in a pill form (ground seeds placed in capsules). The pills can be found at most vitamin and nutrition stores and at many supermarkets and natural foods stores. Fenugreek can also be taken in tea form, although tea is believed to be less potent than the pills and the tea comes with a bitter taste that can be hard to stomach.
Fenugreek is not right for everyone. The herb has caused aggravated asthma symptoms in some women and has lowered blood glucose levels in some women with diabetes. Please read Dr. Ruth Lawrence's article Invalid Link Removed for more information on fenugreek.
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While many sites mention that fenugreek "may" help enhance libido, is also has the active ingredient of diosgenin, which is a growth stimulator for mammary glands (and also a steroid sapogenin, such as Wild Yam). The estrogenic effects of diosgenin have been demonstrated by some studies and diosgenin, as is my understanding, is converted into progesterone, ecdysone and pregnenolone naturally, although my understanding is that there are no enzymes in the human body that will convert diosgenin into progesterone. My question is, won't the use of this product cause concern for any persons suffering from the effects of gyno already, and perhaps even be the catalyst to cause them to begin lactating? I'm not a scientist, so I have no idea
"Mothers who wish to build their milk supplies may consider using Fenugreek. Fenugreek is an herb that has long been used by healers as medicine, and as a galactogogue (to boost milk supply). Historically, fenugreek is an herb, trigonella foenum-graecum L, and is grown in various countries around the world including Argentina, France, India, and North Africa, and in the Mediterranean countries. The dried ripe seed of the plant is used, with one active ingredient being diosgenin. Fenugreek is used as a ground seed (high in fiber) in capsule form, or in tea, to increase milk production. The tea is weaker than the capsule form.
The dose is 2-3 capsules (580-610 mg each), taken by mouth 3 times/day. Taking a lesser dose may not increase supply. Results are often noticed in 1-3 days, although some mothers report no improvement. A bottle of 100 capsules can cost between $6-8 US, and it is available in health food stores and natural food stores. There is no reliable clinical research that supports the use of this herb, although many practitioners do use it with breastfeeding mothers with good success. Fenugreek is used in artificial maple flavorings, and also has a food product. If used to build milk supply, Fenugreek can generally be discontinued after milk supply is increased, as long as a mother can regularly breastfeed or pump."
Another little blurb taken from: Invalid Link Removed
Fenugreek and breastfeeding ? Fenugreek seeds contain hormone precursors that increase milk supply. Scientists do not know for sure how this happens. Some believe it is possible because breasts are modified sweat glands, and fenugreek stimulates sweat production. It has been found that fenugreek can increase a nursing mother?s milk supply within 24 to 72 hours after first taking the herb. Once an adequate level of milk production is reached, most women can discontinue the fenugreek and maintain the milk supply with adequate breast stimulation. Many women today take fenugreek in a pill form (ground seeds placed in capsules). The pills can be found at most vitamin and nutrition stores and at many supermarkets and natural foods stores. Fenugreek can also be taken in tea form, although tea is believed to be less potent than the pills and the tea comes with a bitter taste that can be hard to stomach.
Fenugreek is not right for everyone. The herb has caused aggravated asthma symptoms in some women and has lowered blood glucose levels in some women with diabetes. Please read Dr. Ruth Lawrence's article Invalid Link Removed for more information on fenugreek.
______________________________________
While many sites mention that fenugreek "may" help enhance libido, is also has the active ingredient of diosgenin, which is a growth stimulator for mammary glands (and also a steroid sapogenin, such as Wild Yam). The estrogenic effects of diosgenin have been demonstrated by some studies and diosgenin, as is my understanding, is converted into progesterone, ecdysone and pregnenolone naturally, although my understanding is that there are no enzymes in the human body that will convert diosgenin into progesterone. My question is, won't the use of this product cause concern for any persons suffering from the effects of gyno already, and perhaps even be the catalyst to cause them to begin lactating? I'm not a scientist, so I have no idea
