Malunggay (Moringa oleifera lam) is an incredibly versatile plant that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of issues. More recently, malunggay has been embraced by the natural health community as a wonder herb, due to its high concentration of nutrients and medicinal properties, and by a growing group of breastfeeding moms for increasing milk supply.
You’ve probably heard of moringa, the common term for malunggay in the US, but you may not be familiar with the many benefits of malunggay for breastfeeding mothers.
Keep reading to learn more about this amazing breastfeeding food and how it can help you maintain your breast milk supply and improve your overall health.
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What is Malunggay and why is it good for breastfeeding mothers?
Malunggay is a powerful green superfood that is especially beneficial for early postpartum mothers and little ones.
Moringa trees grow in many tropical parts of the world with leaves chock full of essential nutrients including antioxidants, protein, vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium.
Moringa is so popular due to its versatility of conditions it alleviates and treats. But, if you are wondering how long does it take for moringa to work, you cannot expect a simple, straightforward answer. Some applications require much more patience than others, but if you are persistent you will still feel the positive effects of moringa, no matter what you are taking it for.
Malunggay offers a host of benefits for breastfeeding mothers, including:
- Making milk production more efficient
- Preventing and treating mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue
- Boosting the immune system
- Reducing inflammation and other breastfeeding-related issues
A study published in The Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology found that breastfeeding women who took moringa oleifera supplements had higher levels of breastmilk IgA (an antibody that helps fight infection) than those who didn’t take the supplements.
Malunggay is a safe and natural way to improve your health and that of your baby, so it’s no wonder it’s such a popular choice for breastfeeding mothers.
Read more about What to Eat When Breastfeeding here.
History of Use of Moringa Oleifera
Moringa oleifera is a plant that has been used for centuries in Asia and Africa for its medicinal properties.
Commonly called moringa in India, it has been used as a natural galactagogue in Asia, particularly in the Philippines where it is known as malunggay.
It was first used in India and was known as the “miracle tree.” The leaves were used to treat a variety of illnesses, including malaria, diabetes, asthma, and even cancer and heart problems. And recent studies suggest that it may also help both lactating women and their babies.
Moringa (or malunggay) is a member of the Moringaceae plant family. The drought-resistant tree native to India has edible leaves rich in nutritional value offering vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, antioxidants as well as several glycosides.
Remember, if you are a breastfeeding mom who is looking for an all-natural way to increase your milk supply, then you should consider adding malunggay to your diet.
Benefits of Moringa for Breastfeeding
Nursing mothers often swear by the use of malunggay for its numerous benefits on boosting milk production and the health of mom and baby.
Malunggay is considered an effective galactagogue which is a substance that helps stimulate or increase breast milk production. Moringa leaves contain a range of nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium. These are essential for milk production, as well as many essential vitamins and minerals that support the overall health and development of the baby.
Malunggay not only helps in stimulating the production of milk, but it also helps to increase the quality and quantity of milk produced.
Studies suggest that pregnant women who take malunggay throughout their pregnancy, or lactation have shown an increase in their breast milk volume.
Malunggay is known to be rich in antioxidants which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals – this makes it a great immune-boosting supplement for both breastfeeding mother and baby!
In addition, moringa also helps with digestion in both moms and babies. It can reduce constipation, gas pain, and bloating – helping to ensure that the baby gets all the nutrients he/she needs for development.
Best Malunggay Supplement for Breastfeeding
Now that you know about the many benefits of moringa for breastfeeding mothers, how do you incorporate it into your breastfeeding diet to increase milk supply?
Moringa can be taken in many forms including capsules, tea bags, or powder – so it’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine!
As you research, you’ll find that there are so many ways to use malunggay. You’ll want to be aware of each one so that you can make a decision based on your individual needs and preferences.
1 – Moringa Teas
Malunggay is easy to use as a tea and herbal infusion, including ginger and lemon tea. It has a subtly sweet flavor and won’t overpower your drink.
The most common way people consume malunggay is in the form of herbal tea.
Here are a few of my favorites:
- The Republic of Tea Organic Moringa SUPERHERB Herbal Tea
- Bulk Organic Moringa Tea
- Go-Lacta® Premium Organic Moringa Tea
To make it, simply steep some fresh or dried leaves in hot water for 5-10 minutes, then strain, adding honey, and milk if desired. You can drink it hot or cold.
More Lactation Teas for helping milk supply here!
2 – Malunggay Soup for Breastfeeding
Malunggay leaves make an excellent addition to any soup or stew. The leaves have a slightly bitter taste so add them towards the end of cooking time to preserve their flavor.
Get the recipe for malunggay soup for breastfeeding here.
3 – Powdered Moringa for Breastfeeding
Powdered malunggay is widely available in health food stores or online and can be used as a dietary supplement in small doses.
It can be added to your favorite recipes such as soups, casseroles, salads, and more for extra nutrition.
Moringa Powders to try:
4 – Moringa Drinks for Breastfeeding
For an easy option, try adding moringa powder to smoothies or fruit juices for an extra nutritional boost.
Here are some homemade Moringa drinks to try:
The m2 malunggay drink is a popular breastfeeding drink in the Philippines. It contains moringa tea, okra and luya. So many nursing moms had positive results in increasing milk supply that they created a Lactation Club to inspire other Moms, which is credited with the emerging popularity of malunggay for lactation support.
4 – Malunggay Supplements
If you’re looking for something more convenient, moringa capsules are widely available online in capsule form or liquid extracts.
These are a great option for busy moms on the go who want an extra boost of nutrition without spending too much time preparing.
Here are a few of the top Moringa capsules for breastfeeding moms:
- Mama’s Select Malunggay Capsules – Advanced Formula
- Legendairy Milk® Cash Cow® – formula containing moringa
- Lacta Mama Moringa Capsules
5 – Malunggay Recipes for Breastfeeding
Apart from this, fresh leaves can be added to dishes like salads. You can also eat the leaves cooked as a vegetable, or make some baked goods with malunggay for a treat.
Both these recipes use the Nourishing Lactation Booster from Majka which contains moringa!
No matter which form works best for you and your baby, with its many benefits and easy availability, this amazing malunggay definitely deserves consideration when looking for ways to improve breastfeeding outcomes naturally!
Malunggay has been traditionally used to help nursing mothers increase their milk supply. If you struggling with low milk supply, you may want to consider using moringa while nursing.
The great thing is Malunggay is safe from adverse effects for both mother and baby, and it can help you provide your little one with the nourishment they need.
As you can see there are many ways to go about getting the benefits of moringa while breastfeeding, just make sure you consult with your healthcare practitioner first!
And check out these lactation recipes with breastfeeding foods while you are here.
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More on Breastfeeding Diet
Breastfeeding diet plan to increase breast milk
References
Fungtammasan, S., & Phupong, V. (2021). The effect of Moringa oleifera capsule in increasing breastmilk volume in early postpartum patients: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial. PloS one, 16(4), e0248950. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248950
Mogaka, J. N., Owuor, P. M., Odhiambo, S., Waterman, C., McGuire, M. K., Fuchs, G. J., & Attia, S. L. (2022). Investigating the Impact of Moringa oleifera Supplemented to Kenyan Breastfeeding Mothers on Maternal and Infant Health: A Cluster Randomized Single-Blinded Controlled Pilot Trial Protocol. JPGN Reports, 3(3), e237. https://doi.org/10.1097/PG9.0000000000000237
Sari, K., Sirajuddin, S., Maddepungeng, M., Hadju, V., Saleh, A., Tanziha, I., & Hastuti, H. (2020). Moringa oleifera Intake during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding toward Docosahexaenoic Acid and Arachidonic Acid Levels in Breast Milk. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 8(B), 757–761. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2020.4614
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-. Moringa. [Updated 2022 Aug 15]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501899/
