Abstract
Natural medicinal materials have been used to promote breast milk secretion. Here, we investigated the natural medicinal materials prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pharmacies across Taiwan to induce lactation. We collected medicinal materials from 87 TCM pharmacies, identified them in the prescriptions, and analyzed their drug contents. We examined their botanical origins, biological classifications, traditional usage, and modern pharmacological properties. We used the TCM Inheritance Support System to identify core medicinal materials in galactogenous prescriptions. We collected 81 medicinal materials from 90 galactogenous prescriptions. Leguminosae accounted for 12%, whereas Apiaceae accounted for 7% of all materials examined. The primary medicinal plant parts used were roots and seeds. Nineteen frequently used medicinal materials had a relative frequency of citation of greater than or equal to 0.2. According to their efficacy, 58% were warm, 54% were sweet, and 63% were tonifying; 74% of the frequently used medicinal materials have been showed efficacy against breast cancer. The primary core medicinal material was Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, whereas the secondary core medicinal materials were Tetrapanax papyrifer (Hook.) K. Koch and Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz. Most galactogenous prescriptions consisted of multiple materials from Leguminosae and Apiaceae. The mechanisms underlying galactogenous efficacy warrant further investigations.
Highlights
Breast milk is rich in proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, making it the optimum nutrient source for infant growth and development (Suzuki et al, 1972)
Eighty-seven traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pharmacies were visited in various cities and counties in Taiwan and 90 galactogenous prescriptions were purchased (Supplementary Figure S2); 81 medicinal materials were identified (Supplementary Table S3)
A field investigation was conducted to explore the galactogenous prescriptions sold in TCM pharmacies across Taiwan to reflect the views and behaviors of some individuals over a certain period
Summary
Breast milk is rich in proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, making it the optimum nutrient source for infant growth and development (Suzuki et al, 1972). Breastfeeding prevents the death of approximately 823,000 children aged less than 5 years annually. The incidence of breast and ovarian cancers in women who breastfed their children is 7% and 35% lower than those. Ethnobotanical Galactagogues in Taiwan who never breastfed, respectively (Victora et al, 2016). The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that infants under 6 months of age should be exclusively breastfed (Eidelman, 2012; World Health Organization, 2017). The subsequent investigations have revealed that only 40% of all infants worldwide are exclusively breastfed (World Health Organization, 2020). The WHO set a target to increase the exclusive breastfeeding rate within the first 6 months by more than 50% by 2025 (World Health Organization, 2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
