Traditional Galactogogues and the Practices Related to Their Use by Post-Natal Women of India
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.20.1.19
- Author:
Monika Jain
1
;
Aastha Pahuja
1
;
Enoo PP Singh
1
;
Shalini Chandra
2
Author Information
1. Department of Home Science, Banasthali Vidyapith, P. O. Banasthali Vidyapith - 304022, Rajasthan, India
2. Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Banasthali Vidyapith, P. O. Banasthali Vidyapith - 304022, Rajasthan, India
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Galactogogues, Lactation, Nutrition, Post-natal, Traditional food
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2024;20(No.1):143-151
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Traditional galactogogue recipes are still being used, though not widely, and scientific studies on their
use are scanty. This research aimed to study commonly used traditional galactogogue-recipes using primary sources,
to bring about nutritional enhancement in most popular recipes and compare the standard and nutrified galactogogue-recipes for nutrients, phytochemicals and sensory qualities. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out
among 120 mothers (older than 20 years) residing in Indian states of Rajasthan and Uttar-Pradesh in their 0-1 year
of lactation period who consented to be a part of the study. Background-information and use of galactogogues was
collected with the help of self-designed, pre-tested questionnaires. Nutritive-value (moisture, ash, protein, fat, dietary-fibre, carbohydrate, iron, and calcium) of two of the most popular galactogogues ajwain-laddu and harira were
calculated to find out the nutrient(s) lacking in it. Ajwain-laddu was nutrified using whole milk-powder, drumstick
leaves powder and additional amount of clarified-butter. Harira was nutrified using poppy-seeds, niger-seeds and
carrots. Results: The commonly used galactogogues were ajwain-laddu, harira, Gond-laddu, and Sonth-laddu. There
was a significant difference between nutrient content of standard and nutrified-recipes (p<0.05) whereas no statistical
difference was observed for hedonic rating-scores (p>0.05). Conclusion: Mothers were consuming traditional galactogogues foods in order to increase milk production and strongly believed that regular consumption of galactogogues
has enhanced their milk production. To optimize the nutritional value of galactogogues, it is advisable to integrate
ingredients abundant in phytochemicals and micronutrients. This can be accomplished while preserving the authentic taste and presentation of these galactogogue-recipes.
- Full text:11.2024my1723.pdf
