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.
Spontaneous flow of breast milk 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 spontaneous flow of breast milk 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 spontaneous flow of breast milk is often associated with insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, watery milk and no feeling of distension of the breasts in the pattern “Blood and Qi Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of spontaneous flow of breast milk we’ve identified three 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 spontaneous flow of breast milk.
Blood and Qi Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause spontaneous flow of breast milk
In Chinese Medicine spontaneous flow of breast milk is a symptom for the pattern "Blood and Qi Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Dong Quai (Dang Gui) is the king ingredient for Sheng Yu Tang, a formula used for Blood and Qi Deficiency
Blood and Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to spontaneous flow of breast milk, other symptoms associated with Blood and Qi Deficiency include insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, watery milk and no feeling of distension of the breasts.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood and Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menstrual Cramps or Absence Of Menstruation.
Blood and Qi Deficiency is often treated with Sheng Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Sheng Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi and Blood".
Three herbal formulas that might help with spontaneous flow of breast milk
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 spontaneous flow of breast milk?
Designed by Me & Qi's expert practitioners to tackle some of the patterns that can cause spontaneous flow of breast milk, Milk Boost Tea is a 100% natural and vegan product composed solely of the 13 herbs listed in its ingredients.
Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Why might Si Wu Tang help with spontaneous flow of breast milk?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which spontaneous flow of breast milk is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
Tong Ru Dan
Source date: 1826 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Removes Stagnation from the breast connecting Meridians.
Why might Tong Ru Dan help with spontaneous flow of breast milk?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which spontaneous flow of breast milk is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat spontaneous flow of breast milk
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with spontaneous flow of breast milk?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat spontaneous flow of breast milk as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Tong Ru Dan for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with spontaneous flow of breast milk?
Because it is a key herb in Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with spontaneous flow of breast milk as a symptom)
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with spontaneous flow of breast milk?
Because it is a key herb in Tong Ru Dan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with spontaneous flow of breast milk as a symptom)
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Milkvetch Root (Huang Qi) help with spontaneous flow of breast milk?
Because it is a key herb in Tong Ru Dan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with spontaneous flow of breast milk as a symptom)
Milkvetch Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema.
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with spontaneous flow of breast milk?
Because it is a key herb in Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with spontaneous flow of breast milk as a symptom)
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Me & Qi product associated with spontaneous flow of breast milk
Conditions associated with spontaneous flow of breast milk
Other symptoms often associated with spontaneous flow of breast milk
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth Watery milk No feeling of distension of the breasts Fatigue Pale face Pale lips Poor appetite Dry skin Hair loss Breast distention