Milk-Vetch, Milkvetch

A legume of the Fabaceae family native to China. Its roots are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, where they are said to possess numerous properties, none of which have been clearly proven scientifically. ^{(Tian 2016, Su 2016, Zhang 2014, WHO 1999: pp. 50–58)}

At the time of the last update, we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

As it is non-toxic at appropriate doses ^{(WHO 1999: pp. 50–58)}, moderate consumption whilst breastfeeding is likely to pose little or no risk.

It is used as a galactagogue, although there is no evidence of its effectiveness. In a recent study, its combination with other herbs did not provide sufficient evidence of its effectiveness (Li 2026). The best galactagogue is frequent on-demand breastfeeding, using the correct technique, by a mother who maintains her self-confidence. ^{(ACOG 2021, ABM 2018)}

Although it is a plant that extracts and accumulates selenium—which has caused poisoning in animals—no problems have been reported in human use. ^{(White 2016)}

Precautions when taking plant preparations ^{(Anderson 2017, Powers 2015, Posadzki 2013, Efferth 2011, Kopec 1999, Hsu 1995)}:

• Make sure they are from a reliable source: Poisonings have occurred from mistaking one plant for another with toxic properties ^{(Cornara 2018, Hsu 1995)}, poisonings due to heavy metals that the plants extract from the soil, and food poisonings from contamination with bacteria or fungi. ^{(Anderson 2017)}
• Do not take in excess; follow recommendations from expert phytotherapy professionals. “Natural” products are not good in any quantity: plants contain active substances from which much of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can cause intoxications or act as endocrine disruptors if consumed in exaggerated quantity or time, as they contain phytoestrogens. ^{(Powers 2015, Zava 1998)}