Moringa oleifera Supplementation as a Natural Galactagogue: A Systematic Review on Its Role in Supporting Milk Volume and Prolactin Levels.

Abstract

Breast milk is the optimal nutrition for infants, yet lactation insufficiency remains a common cause of early breastfeeding cessation. Moringa oleifera has been traditionally used as a galactagogue due to its rich micronutrient and phytosterol content. This systematic review assessed the effects of Moringa leaf supplementation on prolactin levels and breast milk volume in postpartum mothers with lactation insufficiency. A systematic search following PRISMA guidelines, was conducted for randomized controlled trials involving healthy postpartum women supplemented with Moringa oleifera. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, with intervention durations ranged from 3 to 10 days. Moringa supplementation increased significantly breast milk volume by up to 400 mL/day compared to controls. Serum prolactin levels also rose significantly with a mean increase of 231.72 ng/mL Most studies exhibited low to moderate risk of bias, though one study exhibited high risk due to lack of binding and subjective outcome measurement. Moringa oleifera leaf supplementation appears to enhance lactation by increasing milk volume and prolactin levels in postpartum mothers. However, further longer-term studies are needed to establish optimal dosing, sustained effectiveness, and safety.