Low breast milk supply according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
agalactia, agalactorrhea, hypogalactia, hypogalactorrhea, insufficient milk syndrome, lactation insufficiency, low milk supply and scanty breast milk redirect here
Low breast milk supply can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like low breast milk supply here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here low breast milk supply is often associated with insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, irritability and poor appetite in the pattern “Liver Qi Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause low breast milk supply.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of low breast milk supply we’ve identified six herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat low breast milk supply.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause low breast milk supply
In Chinese Medicine low breast milk supply is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
When Liver Qi does not flow smoothly or regularly, it becomes Stagnant and in Excess. This leads to Heat accumulating in the Liver. The feeling of ‘Distension’ (zhang 胀) is the main symptom of Liver Qi Stagnation.
In addition to low breast milk supply, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation include insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, irritability and poor appetite.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Qi Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Mastitis or Breast Engorgement.
Liver Qi Stagnation is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to low breast milk supply, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include fatigue, watery milk and no feeling of distension of the breasts.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menopausal Syndrome or Morning Sickness.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
Six herbal formulas that might help with low breast milk supply
Milk Boost Tea
Number of ingredients: 13 herbs
Key actions: Promotes healthy breast milk production*
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Why might Milk Boost Tea help with low breast milk supply?
Designed by Me & Qi's expert practitioners to tackle some of the patterns that can cause low breast milk supply, Milk Boost Tea is a 100% natural and vegan product composed solely of the 13 herbs listed in its ingredients.
Xiao Yao San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen. Relieves Liver Qi stagnation. Nourishes the Blood.
Why might Xiao Yao San help with low breast milk supply?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which low breast milk supply is a symptom.
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Source date: Ming dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation. Tonifies Spleen. Clears Deficient Heat. Nourishes the blood.
Why might Jia Wei Xiao Yao San help with low breast milk supply?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which low breast milk supply is a symptom.
Yue Ju Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes the movement of Qi. Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness).
Why might Yue Ju Wan help with low breast milk supply?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which low breast milk supply is a symptom.
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Why might Chai Hu Shu Gan San help with low breast milk supply?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which low breast milk supply is a symptom.
Er Chen Tang
Source date: 1148 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm. Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen).
Why might Er Chen Tang help with low breast milk supply?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which low breast milk supply is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for low breast milk supply
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat low breast milk supply
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with low breast milk supply?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat low breast milk supply as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Dwarf Lilyturf Root (Mai Dong) help with low breast milk supply?
Because Dwarf Lilyturf Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat low breast milk supply as a symptom, like Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan or Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang for instance.
Dwarf Lilyturf Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with low breast milk supply?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat low breast milk supply as a symptom, like Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang or Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Why might Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) help with low breast milk supply?
Because it is a key herb in Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' (a pattern with low breast milk supply as a symptom)
Bupleurum Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with low breast milk supply?
Because it is a key herb in Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' (a pattern with low breast milk supply as a symptom)
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Me & Qi product associated with low breast milk supply
Other symptoms often associated with low breast milk supply
Fatigue Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth Watery milk No feeling of distension of the breasts Irritability Pale face Pale lips Poor appetite Dry skin Hair loss