Homeopathic remedy: I've seen a recommendation to take alfalfa in combination with Lactuca Virosa. After taking this combination, some women have noticed an increase in milk supply of 50-100%. More information on alfalfa (in general, not as a galactagogue) can be found here:

• Alfalfa from Medicinal Herbs Online
• Alfalfa: It isn't just for horses any more! by Rev. Dr. Lisa Waltz, ND, DD

Borage leaves, when prepared properly, appear to be an effective galactagogue. There is at least one tincture designed for increasing milk supply that contains borage (among other things) that is commercially available . Use this herb with care - it might be best to ensure that it's prepared by an experienced herbalist.

• 2-4 capsules, 3 times per day
• 6-12 capsules (total) per day
• ~1200-2400 mg, 3 times per day (3.5-7.3 grams/day)
• German Commission E recommends a daily intake of 6 grams

• 7-14 capsules (total) per day

• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon, 3 times per day
• 1 capsule = 1/4 teaspoon
• can be mixed with a little water or juice

• 1-2 mL, 3 times per day (or see package directions)

• one cup of tea, 2-3 times per day

• Sweat and urine smells like maple syrup; milk and/or breastfed baby may smell like maple syrup.
• Occasionally causes loose stools, which go away when fenugreek is discontinued.
• Use of more than 100 grams of fenugreek seeds daily can cause intestinal distress and nausea (recommended dose is less than 8 grams per day).
• Repeated external applications can result in undesirable skin reactions [Wichtl 1994].
• Ingestion of fenugreek seeds or tea in infants or late-term pregnant women can lead to false diagnosis of maple syrup urine disease in the infant due to presence of sotolone in the urine. See [Korman 2001] and other studies on fenugreek and maple syrup urine smell.

• Peanut or chickpea allergy: Fenugreek is in the same family with peanuts and chickpeas, and may cause an allergic reaction in moms who are allergic to these things. Two cases of fenugreek allergy have been reported in the literature. [Patil 1997, Ohnuma 1998, Lawrence 1999]
• Diabetes or hypoglycemia: Fenugreek reduces blood glucose levels, and in the few studies using it as a hypoglycemic, also reduces blood cholesterol. Dosages higher than the recommended one (given above) may result in hypoglycemia in some mothers [Heller]. If you're diabetic (IDDM), use fenugreek only if you have good control of your blood glucose levels. While taking this, closely monitor your fasting levels and post-prandial (after meals) levels. Mothers with hypoglycemia should also use fenugreek with caution. For more on fenugreek and glucose levels, see the references below.
• Asthma: Fenugreek is often cited as a natural remedy for asthma. However, inhalation of the powder can cause asthma and allergic symptoms. Some mothers have reported that it worsened their asthma symptoms. [Dugue 1993, Huggins, Lawrence 1999].
• Abnormal menstrual cycles: Fenugreek is considered to be an emmenagogue (promotes menstrual flow). Per [White], it may cause breakthrough menstrual bleeding; this source recommends using fenugreek with caution if you have a history of abnormal menstrual cycles.
• Migraines: Fenugreek is often cited as a natural remedy for migraines. However, [White] indicates that it may trigger a migraine and/or contribute to the duration and severity of a migraine.
• Blood pressure problems or heart disease: Fenugreek is commonly reported to lower blood pressure and LDL blood cholesterol levels. [White] indicates, however, that it may cause or contribute to hypertension (high blood pressure) - this source recommends avoiding this herb if you have a history of hypertension, or if there is a strong family history of hypertension or heart disease.

• Oral drugs or herbs taken at the same time as fenugreek may have delayed absorption due to the mucilage content of fenugreek. [Wichtl 1994]
• Glipizide and other antidiabetic drugs
  Fenugreek reduces blood glucose levels and may enhance the effects of these drugs.
• Insulin
  Fenugreek reduces blood glucose levels, so insulin dosage may need to be adjusted.
• Heparin, Warfarin and other anticoagulants
  Ticlopidine and other platelet inhibitors
  The fenugreek plant contains several coumarin compounds. Although studies have not shown any problems, it potentially could cause bleeding if combined with these types of drugs.
• MAOIs
  Fenugreek contains amine and has the potential to augment the effect of these drugs.

Homeopathic remedy: I've seen a recommendation to take alfalfa in combination with Lactuca Virosa. After taking this combination, some women have noticed an increase in milk supply of 50-100%.

Lactuca Virosa is also known as wild lettuce. It can be ordered in different strengths in homeopathic pill form (under the tongue). Some people have had a problem finding this -- Washington Homeopathic Products, Inc. carries it.

You can find mother's milk tea in many health food stores. Different brands have different ingredients, but I believe that most contain fenugreek, fennel, nettle and/or blessed thistle. Following is one recipe.

All-purpose nursing infusion: 1 ounce dried blessed thistle or borage leaves, 1 ounce dried raspberry or nettle leaves, 1 teaspoon any one of these seeds: anise, cumin, fennel, caraway, coriander, dill. Place leaves in half gallon jar and fill to top w/ boiling water. Cap tightly and steep overnight. Strain herbs and refrigerate until needed. Before nursing, pour off one cup and heat nearly to boil. Pour over a tsp. of any of the seeds. Let brew and cool for five minutes before drinking. Can be drunk freely, up to two quarts a day. ("Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year" by Susan Weed)

To make another milk boosting tea, use 1 teaspoon *each* of fennel, cumin and dill, steeped in 8 oz of boiling water for 15-20 minutes. Drink one cup, three times a day. Results should be noticeable within 24 hours. Then you can increase or decrease frequency as needed.

Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a well known galactagogue. It's sometimes found in mother's milk teas, and can also be found as nettle tea or as a tincture. MotherLove sells a tincture called More Milk, which contains tincture of blessed thistle, nettles and fennel seed. Nettle leaves are also a good source of iron, calcium and vitamin K. Other uses for nettle include easing leg cramps and other muscle spasms (since it is high in calcium) and preventing hemorrhage after birth (since it is high in Vitamin K and iron).

Nettle tea can be made by pouring one cup boiling water over 2 teaspoons of herb and allowing it to seep for 10 minutes. Drink 2-3 cups per day. This is recommended as a strengthening, nourishing tonic.

Eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast each morning commonly has been recommended as a way to increase milk supply, and it does seem to work. In some countries, "traditional wisdom" recommends eating oatmeal as a way to increase milk supply. In addition, some working moms have noticed that on the days they eat oatmeal for breakfast, they can pump more milk than on the days they eat something else. A number of lactation consultants recommend eating oatmeal (sometimes in combination with herb use) as a way to increase supply.

Some possible explanations:

Fenugreek is recommended for stomach issues and cholesterol problems, among other things. Blessed Thistle and fennel are recommended for digestive problems. Alfalfa is recommended for digestive problems and high cholesterol. Metoclopramide and domperidone (prescription drugs that increase supply) also have actions related to the stomach. All are used for milk supply. Oat bran, which is in oatmeal, is known to help lower cholesterol. These are loose ties, but possibly significant.

Oatmeal is high in iron, and therefore especially helpful for moms who have had a major blood loss, or for other reasons dropped their Hgb and Hct. The increased nutritional status for mom might result in better milk supply.

Oatmeal is also a comfort food for many women: if it increases relaxation in mom it can encourage letdown and perhaps even milk supply.

Eating a bowl of oatmeal at the very least would do nothing. If it turns out to be helpful, it's a really easy way to increase supply!

Red Raspberry Leaf has been reported to bring in rich milk. I believe that it's not a galactagogue (though some report it as such), but provides vitamins/minerals helpful for good milk production.

Prepare tea by pouring 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water over 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 grams) of the herb and steeping for ten to fifteen minutes.