Kenyan mothers turn to herbal remedies to boost breast milk
Fenugreek, locally known as methi among Indian-Kenyan communities, has been used for generations as a spice and postpartum tonic. Fennel seeds have long been brewed into teas to soothe colicky babies.
When 28-year-old Maureen Njoki had her first baby last year, she expected sleepless nights and endless diapers, but not the anxiety that came with struggling to produce enough milk.
“I was terrified at first. It all started in the hospital when the doctor told me to nurse the baby. I felt so nervous, I couldn’t produce any milk,” she recalls.
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“The baby kept crying after feeding, and everyone had a different remedy: porridge, peanuts, herbal teas, bone broth, or even drinking chocolate. Finally, an aunt told me about fenugreek seeds.”
She boiled them, drank the tea faithfully for a week, and swears her milk “came in like magic”.
Across Kenya, more mothers like Njoki are turning to natural milk boosters such as fenugreek, fennel, and milk thistle, herbs long rooted in traditional medicine but now appearing in modern kitchens and wellness aisles.
Fenugreek, locally known as methi among Indian-Kenyan communities, has been used for generations as a spice and postpartum tonic. Fennel seeds have long been brewed into teas to soothe colicky babies.
Milk thistle, once used to cleanse the liver, is now bottled into supplements marketed as “breastfeeding support”.
These herbs are believed to act as galactagogues, substances that increase breast milk supply.
In Nairobi, herbal shops in Westlands, Nyamakima, and Ngara report a quiet surge in demand for “natural lactation boosters”.
“Every week, I serve young mothers asking for fenugreek or fennel seeds,” says Josephine Wairimu, who runs a herbal shop in Nyamakima. “Some learned about it from TikTok, others from relatives.”
But does it actually work? What science says
Studies on these herbs paint a cautious picture: promising, but far from definitive.
A 2023 review in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that fenugreek showed the most consistent results in small clinical trials, with some mothers producing up to 20–30 per cent more milk.
Researchers attribute this to phytoestrogens, compounds that mimic natural hormones involved in lactation.
Fennel contains anethol, thought to relax milk ducts and aid flow, though evidence remains mixed. Some studies found improved milk composition; others found no measurable difference.
Milk thistle (silymarin) has even less human data and is not widely used in Kenya. While animal studies suggest it could enhance prolactin levels (the hormone that drives milk production), clinical trials in women remain inconclusive.
“There’s growing interest in natural galactagogues,” explains Nutritionist Wincate Wangari, who advises new mothers at a Nairobi maternal clinic.
“But the science is still catching up. These herbs may help, but they should never replace proper feeding techniques or lactation counselling. Hydration is also key for a breastfeeding mother.”
Fenugreek may trigger hormonal pathways linked to milk synthesis. Fennel’s mild estrogen-like activity could influence the let-down reflex. Milk thistle’s antioxidant effects might improve hormonal balance indirectly.
“It’s not just about chemistry, it’s about context. Our bodies react differently. When a mother relaxes, hydrates, and believes she’s doing something positive for her body, that psychological shift also matters,” Wangari adds. “Many times, milk flow improves because the mother’s anxiety drops. Herbs become part of that ritual of care.”
Kenya’s herbal traditions meet modern wellness
Herbal lactation aids are not new in Kenya. Among the Luo, porridge made with millet and fennel is often given to new mothers.
Kikuyu midwives traditionally recommended herbal soups thickened with fenugreek.
What’s changed is the packaging and marketing. Supermarkets now stock imported lactation teas, and local brands are launching blends that mix fenugreek, fennel, and moringa.
Online, influencers share “milk supply hacks” featuring seeds soaked overnight or blended into smoothies, cakes, and cookies.
“We’re seeing the global herbal wellness trend localised. What used to be home remedies are now commercial products," says Wangari. “That’s good for access, but it raises questions about quality control and self-medication, which can be risky, especially if the decision is uninformed and affects the baby indirectly.”
Natural doesn’t always mean harmless
Health experts warn that “natural” isn’t always synonymous with “safe”.
Fenugreek can cause a distinctive maple-syrup scent in sweat and breastmilk, harmless but surprising. It can also lower blood sugar, posing risks for diabetic mothers.
Fennel, in high doses, can transfer compounds into breastmilk, sometimes making infants gassy or irritable. Milk thistle may interact with medications processed by the liver.
“My advice is to start small and observe. Ask your doctor before starting any herbs or supplements. If there’s no change after a week, stop. And if your baby seems unwell, seek medical advice immediately,” Wangari advises.
According to the Kenya Pediatric Association, up to 35 per cent of breastfeeding challenges are linked to improper latching or feeding frequency, issues that herbs cannot fix.
Lactation consultants recommend first addressing positioning, frequent feeds, and hydration before trying supplements.
“The danger is that mothers delay seeking real help,” Wangari cautions. “By the time they come to the clinic, the baby may not be gaining enough weight.”
From folk wisdom to evidence-based practice
Globally, scientists are calling for larger, standardised trials.
A 2024 study from Cairo University is testing fenugreek-fennel combinations in mothers of premature infants. Another in India is analysing how gut microbiota influences herb response.
These findings could help move these remedies from folk wisdom to evidence-based options or prove that their power lies more in culture than chemistry.
Even though fenugreek, fennel, and milk thistle hold centuries of tradition and growing modern curiosity, science has not crowned them miracle cures.
Yet their appeal endures, because they offer something deeper: a sense of agency.
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