Low Milk Supply in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different low milk supply patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Low milk supply is a common concern for many new mothers, characterized by the body's inability to produce an adequate amount of breast milk to meet the nutritional needs of a baby.
This condition can manifest in various forms, such as the sensation of empty breasts during breastfeeding, indicating that the milk production is not sufficient. The reasons behind low milk supply are numerous and can range from hormonal imbalances and physical health issues to external factors like stress and inadequate breastfeeding techniques.
Understanding and addressing these underlying causes is crucial for improving milk production and ensuring a successful breastfeeding experience.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), low milk supply is viewed through a lens quite different from Western medicine. TCM interprets this condition as a symptom of imbalance within the body's energy systems.
According to TCM, the body is governed by a network of energies, and low milk supply results when there's a disruption in the flow or a deficiency in these energy systems. Identifying the specific pattern of disharmony causing the symptom is a foundational step in TCM, as it guides the choice of treatment.
This holistic approach emphasizes the importance of restoring balance to the body's energy systems to treat symptoms like low milk supply.
TCM Patterns for Low Milk Supply
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia, Low milk supply
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia, Low milk supply
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts
Along with: Dizziness, Unsteadiness, Blurry vision, Deafness, Tinnitus, Shortness of breath, Weak voice, Pale face, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia, Low milk supply
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia, Low milk supply
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia
Liver Qi Stagnation
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Irregular periods, Globus sensation, Pre menstrual breast distension, Pre menstrual tension, Anxiety, Anger, Melasma
Phlegm
Causes: No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia
Phlegm
No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia
Along with: Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Scanty breast milk, Low milk supply
Heart Yin Deficiency
Scanty breast milk, Low milk supply
Along with: Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Herbal Formulas for Low Milk Supply
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address low milk supply
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia, Low milk supply
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Tong Ru Dan
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Qi and Blood
- Removes Stagnation from the breast connecting Meridians
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia, Low milk supply
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia, Low milk supply
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Ba Zhen Tang
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and augments Qi
- Tonifies and augments Blood
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia, Low milk supply
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Unsteadiness, Blurry vision, Deafness, Tinnitus, Shortness of breath...
Guo Qi Yin
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the menses
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia, Low milk supply
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Nourishes Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Restores the pulse
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia, Low milk supply
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Xia Ru Yong Quan San
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Increases breast milk supply
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Resolves Dampness and Phlegm
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Phlegm
How it manifests:
No feeling of distension of the breasts, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia
Accompanying symptoms:
Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Clears Heat
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Scanty breast milk, Low milk supply
Accompanying symptoms:
Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Nourishes the Heart
- Calms the Mind
- Warms Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen and Lungs
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, No feeling of distension of the breasts
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Unsteadiness, Blurry vision, Deafness, Tinnitus, Shortness of breath...
Xiao Yao San
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Scanty breast milk, Low milk supply
Accompanying symptoms:
Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Yue Ju Wan
Addresses these low milk supply patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness)
Addresses These Low Milk Supply Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low breast milk supply, agalactia
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...