Moringa leaf

[lyndakirby]

I look forward to your expertise concerning Moringa leaf safety and efficacy as a galactagogue in pregnancy and when breastfeeding.

[admin]

Lynda:

First, it should not at all be used in pregnancy. Abortion, and potential fetal toxicity is a known to result from the benzyl isothiocyanate present in this herb.[1,2]

There are at least two articles that 'suggest' it may be a galactagogue, but I've not been able to get them. It has a lot of potential anticancer agents and is a plant of interest in cancer chemotherapy. That said, these are not the kind of things you would want to expose an infant to via milk.

I would suggest it is not an ideal product for a pregnant or breastfeeding mother to use.


Tom Hale Ph.D.



1. Bose CK. Possible role of Moringa oleifera Lam. root in epithelial ovarian cancer. MedGenMed 2007;9:26.

2. Fahey JW. Moringa oleifera: A review of the medical evidence for its nutritional, therapeutic, and prophylactic properties. Part 1. Trees for Life Journal 2005;1:5.

[glorick]

Dr. Hale,
I would like your reaction to this study published in the Philippine Journal of Pediatrics: http://www.golacta.com/reports/Estrella-Mantaring%20Study.pdf

[glorick]

This is a second study that was undertaken using Malunggay: http://quinexmoringa.webs.com/Studies/moringa-study-as-a-galactagogue.pdf

Do you feel that these studies used faulty methodology? I agree that there definitely needs to be further research, but I hate to see you completely discount its use as a galactagogue.

[admin]

Glorick:

Sorry, but the evidence is a bit weak for this drug. I still do not know that it is safe to use in breastfeeding mothers.

Tom Hale Ph.d.