Ethnobotanical Survey of Natural Galactagogues Prescribed in Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacies in Taiwan

Abstract

Natural medicinal materials have been used to promote breast milk secretion. Here, we investigated the natural medicinal materials prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pharmacies across Taiwan to induce lactation. We collected medicinal materials from 87 TCM pharmacies, identified them in the prescriptions, and analyzed their drug contents. We examined their botanical origins, biological classifications, traditional usage, and modern pharmacological properties. We used the TCM Inheritance Support System to identify core medicinal materials in galactogenous prescriptions. We collected 81 medicinal materials from 90 galactogenous prescriptions. Leguminosae accounted for 12%, whereas Apiaceae accounted for 7% of all materials examined. The primary medicinal plant parts used were roots and seeds. Nineteen frequently used medicinal materials had a relative frequency of citation of greater than or equal to 0.2. According to their efficacy, 58% were warm, 54% were sweet, and 63% were tonifying; 74% of the frequently used medicinal materials have been showed efficacy against breast cancer. The primary core medicinal material was Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, whereas the secondary core medicinal materials were Tetrapanax papyrifer (Hook.) K. Koch and Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz. Most galactogenous prescriptions consisted of multiple materials from Leguminosae and Apiaceae. The mechanisms underlying galactogenous efficacy warrant further investigations.

Keywords: Taiwan; breastfeeding; ethnobotanical; galactagogues; traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy.

Figure 1

Research flowchart.

Figure 2

Geographical distribution of stores in Taiwan where galactogenous prescriptions were purchased.

Figure 3

Taxonomy of 81 medicinal materials in 90 galactogenous prescriptions. (A) Kingdoms, (B) families, and (C) utilized parts. Parts collectively used less than 1% are summarized as “others.”

Figure 4

Characteristics of 19 medicinal materials with an RFC of greater than or equal to 0.2 in galactogenous prescriptions. (A) Selection of frequently used medicinal materials. (B) Radar chart of properties. (C) Radar chart of flavors. (D) Histogram of traditional efficacy classifications. (E) Modern pharmacological research related to women. RFC, relative frequency of citation; AB, Achyranthes bidentata Blume; ADa, Angelica dahurica (Hoffm.) Benth. and Hook. f. ex Franch. and Sav.; ADi, Araiostegia divaricata (Blume) M. Kato; AM, Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.; AP, Astragalus propinquus Schischkin; AS, Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels; BC, Bupleurum chinense DC.; CAu, Cuscuta australis R. Br.; CB, Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm.; CCC, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl (cortex); CCR, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl (ramulus); CM, Clematis montana Buch.-Ham. ex DC.; CNC, Cervus nippon Temminck (cornupantotrichum); CPil: Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf.; CRe: Citrus reticulata Blanco; CS, Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai; DI, Dipsacus inermis Wall.; DL, Dimocarpus longan Lour.; DO, Dioscorea oppositifolia L.; EU: Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.; FV, Foeniculum vulgare Mill.; GMB, Glycine max (L.) Merr. (black); GU, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.; HP, Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz.; LCh, Lycium chinense Mill.; LF, Liquidambar formosana Hance; LS, Ligusticum striatum DC.; MM, Melastoma malabathricum L.; MO, Morinda officinalis F.C.How; NNSe, Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Semen); OI, Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz; OJ, Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker Gawl.; PCo, Poria cocos (Schwein.) F.A. Wolf; PCy, Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua; PGr, Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC.; PLW, Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (white); PM, Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Sanjappa & Pradeep; PO, Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce; PQ, Panaxquin quefolius L.; RGC, Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC. (cooked); RM, Reynoutria multiflora (Thunb.) Moldenke; SF, Strobilanthes forrestii Diels; SM, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge; TK, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim.; TP, Tetrapanax papyrifer (Hook.) K. Koch; VH, Vaccaria hispanica (Mill.) Rauschert; ZJB, Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (black); ZJR, Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (red).

Figure 5

Network diagram representing the analysis of the core components in galactogenous prescriptions. AM, Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.; AS, Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels; CCR, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl (ramulus); CPil, Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf.; CS, Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai; DL, Dimocarpus longan Lour.; EU, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.; GU, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.; HP, Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz.; LCh, Lycium chinense Mill.; LS, Ligusticum striatum DC.; MM, Melastoma malabathricum L.; PCo, Poria cocos (Schwein.) F.A. Wolf; PLW, Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (white); RGC, Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC. (cooked); TP, Tetrapanax papyrifer (Hook.) K. Koch; VH, Vaccaria hispanica (Mill.) Rauschert; ZJB, Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (black); ZJR, Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (red).