Influences of Consumption of Herbal Galactagogue Tea on Composition of Human Milk Macronutrients

Abstract

Objective:The aim of this study was to determine the influences of herbal galactagogue teas consumption on the composition of human milk energy and macronutrients.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted between 12 March and 30 June 2018, involving mothers having 1-4 month old infants consuming (n=43) and non-consuming (n=56) herbal tea containing galactagogue. Energy and macronutrients of human milk collected from mothers by hand expression were measured using a human milk analyzer, and retrospective 1-day food consumption records were obtained. The significance level was accepted as p < 0.05.Results: Herbal tea consumption was significantly higher in highly educated mothers (p = 0,009). No significant difference was found between the energy and macronutrient content of breast milk of the groups who consumed and did not consume herbal galactagogue tea (p > 0.05). Type of herbal galactagogue tea did not affect the content of human milk (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the average daily energy and macronutrient intakes of the mothers (p > 0.05). Conclusion:The consumption of herbal galactagogue teas did not change HM energy and macronutrient composition. It has been proposed that the safety, efficacy, and possible side effects of these teas should be assessed in larger sample groups and randomized controlled trials