Evidence supporting the use of: Nettle
For the health condition: Nursing

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Nettle (Urtica dioica) has long been used in traditional herbal medicine to support nursing mothers, particularly to encourage and increase breast milk production. The use of nettle as a galactagogue (a substance that promotes lactation) can be traced back to European folk medicine, where both the leaves and seeds were consumed as teas or foods by nursing women. Nettle is rich in vitamins (such as A, C, K, and several B vitamins), minerals (especially iron and calcium), and other phytonutrients, which may indirectly support overall maternal health during lactation.

Scientific evidence supporting nettle specifically for increasing breast milk production is limited and inconclusive. Most support comes from traditional usage rather than robust clinical trials. A few small studies and anecdotal reports suggest that nettle, sometimes in combination with other herbs (like fenugreek and blessed thistle), may have a mild positive effect on milk supply, but these studies often lack rigorous design, adequate sample size, or proper controls.

Overall, while nettle is considered safe and nutritious when consumed in moderate amounts by nursing mothers, its specific role as a lactation enhancer is not well-established in scientific literature. Its use for this purpose remains primarily based on tradition and historical practice rather than strong clinical evidence.

More about nettle
More about Nursing