Moringa leaf — “malunggay” in the Philippines — has long been used by mothers to support breast-milk supply. This study put that traditional use to a rigorous test: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.
At a tertiary government hospital, 68 postpartum mothers of preterm infants (under 37 weeks, in the NICU for tube feeding) were randomized to receive either Moringa oleifera leaf capsules (250 mg) or an identical flour placebo, and their pumped breast-milk volume on postpartum days 3 to 5 was compared.
What the study examined
- Whether moringa leaf increases breast-milk volume versus placebo.
- A rigorous double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design.
- A vulnerable, high-need group: mothers of preterm infants.
Caveat: a single clinical trial; this is research information, not medical advice. Mothers should consult a healthcare provider.
Summary of: “Augmentation of Breastmilk Among Non-nursing Mothers of Preterm Infants.” Randomized controlled trial summarised by MORIFA; full paper via the PDF link above.