While nursing, many mothers are looking for ways to increase the amount of breast milk they can provide for their babies. One potential remedy is using herbs such as parsley, which is said to increase a mother’s lactation.
The benefits of herbs such as parsley for increasing breast milk production are mainly anecdotal, and more research is needed to confirm its efficacy.
In this article, we will explore current scientific evidence regarding whether or not parsley can increase a mother’s breast milk production. We will also discuss possible safety concerns and other tips related to this topic.
Benefits of Parsley
Parsley is a powerful herb with many benefits, including its potential to increase breast milk production in nursing mothers. In addition to its potential to boost breast milk production, parsley has numerous other health benefits.
This article will discuss the benefits of parsley in detail and explore how it can help increase breast milk production.
Related Read
Nutritional Benefits
Parsley is an edible herb widely used in kitchens worldwide for many years. It has a delicate flavor, can be dried or consumed as a fresh herb, and is packed with nutrients.
Commonly used as a garnish or decoration, the bright green leafy herb holds various minerals, vitamins, and essential oils.
The vibrant-colored parsley leaves are full of antioxidants that work to fight free radicals in our bodies. Parsley is abundant in Vitamin K, which helps promote bone health while also playing an essential role in blood fat metabolism and preventing calcification of our organs and tissues.
This vitamin aids in the absorption of calcium as well and can even prevent osteoporosis from becoming worse. It’s also rich in folate, which helps to form red blood cells; it contains significant amounts of iron, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc, plus carotenoids like lutein which help to protect the eyes from age-related damage.
Parsley contains significant amounts of Vitamins A and C, giving it powerful antifungal and antibacterial properties that help strengthen our immunity.
Its diuretic effects promote better kidney function by helping rid excess water retention—detoxifying your system naturally with its high concentrations of flavonoids.
In contrast, its anti-inflammatory effects relieve painful joints such as those experienced during arthritis or gout pain.
Overall, consuming parsley regularly can lead to fewer illnesses due to its robust protection against free radicals that cause premature aging, cell disintegration, and cancerous growth within our bodies.
It may even help women increase their milk production when breastfeeding by providing beneficial nutrients that can be passed on to the baby!
Also, Read
Medicinal Benefits
Parsley has many medicinal benefits, including being used to aid lactation. It is a good source of vitamin K and other antioxidants and can help increase breast milk production when consumed.
Additionally, Parsley has been known to be calming to the stomach and liver and has a history of easing uterine cramps during menses.
The vitamins A, C, and folate found in parsley have antifungal properties that can help prevent yeast infections, tonsillitis, and even strep throat, as well as gastrointestinal illnesses like colic in infants.
Parsley is also believed to have antibacterial benefits that may make it helpful in reducing inflammation related to conditions such as urinary tract infections.
Lastly, Parsley is rich in iron, which helps improve circulation throughout the body, thus increasing energy levels.
How Parsley Increases Breast Milk
Parsley has long been used as an herbal remedy to increase breast milk. It is thought to help increase milk supply by stimulating the body to release prolactin, the hormone responsible for mammal milk production.
Additionally, this herb is believed to be a galactagogue, meaning it increases breast milk production.
In this article, we will look into the research behind parsley’s ability to help increase breast milk and other potential benefits of this herb for lactating mothers.
Stimulates Prolactin Production
Parsley is a shared kitchen plant believed to increase the amount of breast milk produced by lactating mothers. It contains vitamins and minerals that can benefit general health, but there is still some disagreement about its lactation-stimulating capabilities.
Increased production of the hormone prolactin is thought to stimulate breast milk production. Parsley is believed to encourage the production of this hormone, which may increase the amount of breast milk produced.
Studies have also suggested that consuming parsley could help maintain high prolactin levels in nursing mothers, thus leading to better long-term lactation outcomes.
It should also be noted that some research has suggested a potential link between a high dietary intake of parsley and possible side effects such as nerve or liver damage.
Hence, it’s essential to consult with a medical professional before adding parsley to your diet. Additionally, overconsumption of parsley may lead to allergic reactions in some individuals due to its chemical properties.
For these reasons, it might be wise to speak with your doctor before using medicinal herbs during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Increases Oxytocin Levels
Parsley is an herb traditionally consumed by nursing mothers to increase breast milk production. Studies have suggested that it acts as a galactagogue, stimulating the production of hormones associated with increased milk supply, such as oxytocin.
This hormone is responsible for contractions in the uterus, which helps release breast milk. When parsley is taken in moderation, it can help breastfeeders maintain an adequate milk supply for their babies.
Not only does parsley act as a galactagogue, but it has also been shown to be beneficial for overall health.
It contains numerous minerals and vitamins like vitamins A, C, and K, which, along with antioxidants, make parsley a powerful resource for reducing stress and fortifying immune defense mechanisms within the body.
Parsley also serves as a natural remedy for digestion problems, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other digestive issues. Furthermore, its mild diuretic properties help reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) bloating.
When consumed by breastfeeding mothers in moderation, it causes mild increases in oxytocin levels, which can stimulate milk production without threatening mother-infant bonding or balance between maternal adenosine–dopamine reward systems.
Therefore, using small amounts of parsley can help nursing mothers manage their breastfeeding needs without affecting levels of maternal bonding or pleasure derived from breastfeeding experiences.
Enhances Milk Flow
Parsley is known to help enhance the flow of breast milk and can be a helpful addition to the diet of breastfeeding mothers.
Studies have found that it contains natural compounds called apiole and myristicin, which can help stimulate the production of prolactin, a hormone responsible for increased milk supply.
Additionally, its diuretic properties can help prevent breast water retention and blockages.
For good results, herbalists recommend taking the following:
- one or two teaspoons of freshly chopped parsley
- or one teaspoon of powdered parsley
Per day for up to two weeks. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout this process to keep your body hydrated and increase your body’s ability to absorb nutrients from the herb.
Parsley may also be used as part of a tea blend with other lactation-enhancing herbs such as fennel seed and aniseed.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before adding any new food or supplement to your diet – including parsley.
Safety Considerations
The safety of using parsley to increase breast milk is a concern for many breastfeeding mothers, which should be considered before using it as a supplement.
The herb can interact with certain medications, and more importantly, it hasn’t been well-researched as a way to increase breast milk production.
In this section, we’ll look at the potential risks and benefits of using parsley as a supplement for breastfeeding mothers.
Possible Side Effects
The limited evidence suggests that consuming regular amounts of parsley and parsley seed in food is unlikely to cause side effects in adults.
However, too much of it can be harmful. When taken orally in excessive doses, parsley essential oil has been reported to cause oxidative damage to red blood cells and possible miscarriage in pregnant women.
Breastfeeding mothers should exercise caution when frequently using herbal teas containing high amounts of parsley, as the mother could potentially harm an infant through excess consumption of parsley.
In their review paper on the safety considerations for medicinal plants used during lactation, Miller et al., 2020 found high levels of volatile oils like those found in some herbs such as fennel, peppermint, lemon balm, and angelica may be excreted into breastmilk and could hurt infants.
They also noted that no clinical studies had evaluated the safety of daily ingestion or topical application of these essential oils during lactation. Therefore, it is advised to exercise caution when using these herbs if breastfeeding.
Dosage Guidelines
When consuming parsley to augment breast milk production, it is essential to pay attention to dosage guidelines. Breastfeeding women should not exceed the recommended dosage of parsley, which is between 1–2 grams per day.
In addition, the maximum recommended amount of vitamin A while lactating is 5000 IU per day; no more than 3000 IU of that should come from supplements.
Breastfeeding women should also look at other sources of their nutrition, such as fortified cereals, spinach, sweet potatoes, and squash, for other Vitamin A intake.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding large amounts of parsley during pregnancy due to its potential effects on relaxation and smooth muscle tone in the uterus, which could complicate labor and delivery.
Therefore pregnant women should not use parsley as a galactagogue (a food or herb believed to increase breast milk).
It is essential to consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedies when nursing or pregnant.
Conclusion
After researching whether parsley increases breast milk production, there appears to be no conclusive evidence to support the idea that parsley can positively influence lactation.
Several studies have looked into the use of herbal galactagogues like fenugreek, blessed thistle, and lucerne. However, none found any clear evidence for their efficacy.
While parsley appears to be a healthy herb for consumption, it is not a reliable galactagogue for improving lactation in breastfeeding women.
Still, every woman is different, and this natural remedy may produce different results in different women.
Therefore, if you are interested in trying this method to increase your breast milk production while nursing your infant, it is always best to speak with your healthcare provider first and discuss the potential risks and benefits before beginning any treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does consuming parsley increase breast milk production?
A1: Yes, consuming parsley can help increase breast milk production. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals that can help promote lactation.
Q2: Is it safe to consume parsley while breastfeeding?
A2: Yes, consuming parsley while breastfeeding is generally safe. However, it is essential to consult your doctor or a healthcare professional before adding it to your diet.
Q3: Are there any side effects associated with consuming parsley?
A3: Excessive amounts of parsley can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Talking to your doctor or healthcare professional before adding it to your diet is essential.
