Food Therapy; Fennel Seeds, A Potent Galactogenisis in Increased Milk Secretion in Lactation Period

Kyle J. Norton

Fennel may have potential and therapeutic effect in improved milk secretion, some scientsits suggested.

Galactogenisis is a function in promoted lactation in milk insufficient feeding baby's women.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a plant species of genus, belongings to Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), native to the Mediterranean, used in traditional and herbal medicine as warming, carminative, antispasmodic, antidepressant agent and to stimulate the appetite, ease indigestion, soothe coughing, reduce intestinal spasms, to regulate the menstrual cycle and relieve PMS,...

Nutrients
1. Carbohydrates
2. Fiber
3. Protein
4. Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
5. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
6. Niacin (Vitamin B3)
7. Pantothenic acid (B5)
8. Vitamin B6
9. Folate (Vitamin B9)
10. Vitamin C
11. Calcium
12. Copper
13. Iron
14. Magnesium
15. Molybdenum
16. Phosphorus
17. Potassium
18. Zinc
19. Etc.


In the finding the natural sources for answer of the question of produced enough milk in women who face challenges in their efforts to breast-feed their infants, researchers at the CANADIAN JOURNAL OF MIDWIFERY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE conducted a study of  a total of 23 women at one to four months postpartum to share their experiences with childbirth and postpartum self-care, suggested that out of 23 women interviewed, 4 women reported insufficient milk supply and 11 women showed an improvement of lactation by using galactagogue substances, including herbal medicine fennel.

According to the survey returned from these participants, four women used fennel seed or oil, and all considered herbal product were effective as galactagogue. One learned about it from a friend, two from their midwives, and one from her mother who used it herself while breast-feeding.

These results suggested that herbal medicine including fennel may process a significant benefit in increased milk production but Dr. Rachel Emma Westfall, PhD suggested that further investigation are necessary to validated this viability.

Although, the mechanism in enhanced lactation effects of fennel seeds acting as galactagogues are little known, some scientists postulated that the result of fennel in increased milk secretion was attributed to the phytochemical anethole in expression of estrogenic property.

Anethole, the main constituent of the essential oils of fennel and anise, has been considered as an active estrogenic agent by actual pharmacologically active investigation.

Truly, according to the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group, in the evaluation of the fennel effect in increased milk production breast feeding mothers suggested that anethole, the major bioactive compound isolated from fennel is considered weakly estrogenic agent and may increase breast milk production or assist with the ‘let-down’ reflex, through enhanced function of hormone oxytocin.

These results suggested that fennel as a galactagogues may improve milk production by working, either directly or indirectly, on the hormonal pathways that control lactation.

In other words, application of fennel restored the function of hormone pralactin in induction of milk formation and hormone oxytocin produced by the pituitary gland with function to contract special muscle cells around the alveoli in the breast to ensure the expulsion of milk.

To ensure these process continued without interuption, application of fennel seed also rebalance the hormone secretion by preventing over production of estrogen and progesterone in reduced expression of hormone prolactin in inhibited milk production. according to the results in animal models.

By blocking serum of estrogen and progesterone in blood circulation, fennel seed ensured that the pituitary gland continuously releases of prolactin in stimulated mammary gland cells in secretion of milk.

Some researchers suggested, the function of fennel in facilitated milk formation and secretion may also be as a result of increasing numbers of milk-secreting cells during the lactation state caused by sucking of the young by enhancing the growth of mammary alveolar growth, prolactin, or both. 

Today, even with extensive researchers, there is little known about the mechanisms of fennel seeds in enhanced production of milk during lactation period. Some researchers concerned that over doses of fennel seeds may cause potential adverse effects since dosages for galactagogues are mostly unquestioned and untested.

Taken together, fennel seeds may have a potential effect as galactogenic herbal medicine in increased milk formation and production. However, further study with a large sample size conducted by multi centers are necessary to re-confirm its viability scientifically.

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Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrients, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published on line, including world wide health, ezine articles, article base, healthblogs, selfgrowth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bio science, ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) Galactagogue Herbs: A Qualitative Study and Review by Rachel Emma Westfall, PhD(Journal of Midwifary) file:///C:/Users/hhh/Downloads/v2n2_westfall_galactagogue-herbs.pdf
(2) Oral galactagogues for increasing breast-milk production in mothers of non-hospitalised term infants by Siew Cheng Foong, May Loong Tan, Lisa A Marasco, Jacqueline J Ho, Wai Cheng Foong(Cochrance Library)