When many women experience insufficient milk production during childbirth or breastfeeding, their family members often cook some Chinese herb called Tongcao for them. Can Tongcao help with milk ducts?
Can Tongcao help with milk ducts?
Tongcao has certain effectiveness in promoting milk ducts.
Tongcao has a mild and sweet taste and a slightly cold nature. According to traditional Chinese medicine, Tongcao is light in texture and can promote the circulation of meridians in the body, unblock the small ducts in the mammary glands, increase milk secretion, promote diuresis, and treat symptoms such as painful urination, edema, reduced milk secretion caused by blocked milk ducts, and insufficient milk production.
How to consume Tongcao for milk ducts?
Peanut and Tongcao Congee
Ingredients: 50g peanuts, 8g Tongcao, 10g Wangbuliuxing (another Chinese herb), 50g rice.
1. Boil Tongcao and Wangbuliuxing in water, remove the residue and keep the juice.
2. Crush the peanuts and wash the rice.
3. Put the rice in a pot, pour in the crushed peanuts and the herbal juice, and cook the congee together.
4. When the congee becomes thick, add an appropriate amount of brown sugar and it is ready to be consumed.
Tongcao Infusion
1. Soak about 6g of Tongcao in water for about 20-30 minutes.
2. Then bring it to a boil over high heat.
3. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20-30 minutes.
4. Filter out the residue, take the juice, and drink it.
What should be noted when using Tongcao for milk ducts?
1. Pay attention to the dosage
Tongcao is light in texture, and a dosage of about 3-5g is generally sufficient. Although Tongcao does not have obvious toxic side effects, it is still a type of Chinese herb and has certain dosage regulations. Excessive dosage may increase the burden on the liver and kidneys, which is not beneficial to overall health.
2. Avoid long-term use
Tongcao is a diuretic Chinese herb. Long-term use can burden the kidneys and affect kidney function. Therefore, it is generally recommended to use under the guidance of a doctor and stop using Tongcao once the symptoms disappear.
3. Avoid blind use
Tongcao has a certain effectiveness in promoting milk ducts, but the effectiveness of using a single herb is limited. If the symptoms are severe, it is recommended to consult a doctor and follow their guidance on herbal compatibility and dosage.
Who should avoid using Tongcao for milk ducts?
1. Pregnant women should use with caution
Tongcao has a slightly cold nature and can promote the circulation of meridians. Pregnant women have a special physical condition, and taking a large amount of Tongcao during pregnancy may cause miscarriage and affect fetal growth and development.
2. Avoid use for those with Qi and Yin deficiency
Symptoms of Qi and Yin deficiency include thirst, shortness of breath, bloating in the stomach area, pale complexion, fatigue, and dry throat. Tongcao has a diuretic effect, and using it for those with Qi and Yin deficiency may further deplete Qi and body fluids, worsening the symptoms.
3. Avoid use for those with coldness in the body
Coldness in the body refers to the invasion of cold Qi into the body's organs, resulting in symptoms such as weakness in the limbs, cold limbs, and abdominal pain. Tongcao has a sweet taste and a cold nature, so using it for those with coldness in the body may aggravate the accumulation of cold Qi and worsen the discomfort.
Other methods to promote milk ducts
Manual massage
1. Place a warm towel on the chest and apply heat for about 2-3 minutes.
2. Apply a moderate amount of olive oil to the palms.
3. Gently massage the lymph nodes in the armpits and gently push open any nodules.
4. Massage for about 15 minutes each time, 2-3 times a day.
Dandelion and Peanut Congee
Ingredients: 20g peanuts, 10g dried dandelion, 50g rice.
1. Wash the peanuts and soak them for half an hour.
2. Put them in a pot with 1 liter of cold water and bring to a boil.
3. Wash the rice and add it to the boiling peanuts.
4. Continue cooking for about 15 minutes.
5. Reduce the heat and continue cooking for another 20 minutes.
6. Wash the dandelion, chop it, and add it to the pot.
7. Continue cooking over medium heat until it becomes a thick porridge.
