If you’re pregnant, one advice that you may have heard of (and will probably hear often) is taking malunggay capsules to boost milk supply. Is there any truth to this claim, and is it safe for pregnant women to take them? Read about the wonderful malunggay capsule and its benefits and risks here.
It has been a tradition for newly delivered mothers to be fed a steaming bowl of tinola (a clear chicken soup with garlicky broth) or ginisang monggo (a dish made with mung beans and some fish or pork), cooked with malunggay to invoke a surge in breast milk supply.
Malunggay, also known as moringa olifeira, is the go-to galactagogue (a food or drug that boosts breast milk supply) of choice by most mothers in the country. Aside from the actual leafy vegetable, malunggay capsule is also becoming popular among pregnant women because of its benefits.
Malunggay capsule benefits
If we’re talking about the benefits of malunggay capsule, there’s definitely a lot.
There’s a reason moringa was coined the “miracle tree.” From protecting your liver, preventing cancer, treating stomach disorders, improving your immune system to treating mood disorders, taking malunggay capsules boasts of these benefits.
But if we’re being specific to mothers and moms-to-be, you’ll be surprised at how much nutrients you can get from malunggay capsules.
Malunggay capsule benefits | Image from Freepik
Malunggay benefits: Improved health for mothers
In 2014, malunggay was declared as the National Vegetable in view of its medicinal benefits as well as for offering malnutrition relief in dire areas, not just in the country but around the world.
A 2018 study also proved that moringa has health potentials that can also be used to overcome nutritional and health problems in pregnant women and pregnancy outcomes.
According to the research, pregnant women who took malunggay supplements reported having a higher amount of hemoglobin (iron) and their babies had higher birth weight compared to the group of women who didn’t take malunggay supplements.
Here are other malunggay benefits specifically for moms:
- Malunggay can strengthen the immune system – perfect for someone recuperating from pregnancy, delivery, and all the exhausting days adjusting to a new baby.
- It can heal inflamed joints and tendons – helpful for those who felt a little arthritic during pregnancy.
- It can relieve constipation – beneficial to those recovering from pregnancy-induced bowel issues.
- Helps normalize sugar levels – particularly helpful to diabetic moms or those who had gestational diabetes.
- Malunggay can help normalize blood pressure – useful to those who had pregnancy-induced hypertension.
- It can facilitate healing from a slew of illnesses, like asthma, ulcers and migraines, which some mothers suffer from.
- Malunggay helps prevent infections – it has high antibacterial properties that help prevent urinary tract infection that is common among pregnant women.
- A Malunggay can boost milk supply – which profits breastfeeding mothers.
READ MORE:
4 malunggay capsule brands na makakatulong sa pagpaparami ng breast milk
Malunggay benefits: More vitamins
Malunggay has also been called a superfood. Why? It’s because malunggay has the following vitamins compared to other foods of the same weight:
- Seven times more vitamin C than oranges
- Four times more calcium than milk
- Two times more protein than milk
- Four times more Vitamin A than carrots
- Three times more calcium than bananas
Ask your OB-GYN and she’ll definitely say that these vitamins and nutrients mentioned above are essential for pregnant women. Moringa is also rich in iron, which is helpful for healthy blood flow during pregnancy.
This explains how malunggay benefits new mothers: by boosting their immune system and ensuring that their own resources are not being depleted by breastfeeding. A healthy mother is also more likely to sustain milk production over a period of time.
Malunggay is also an amazing source of calcium, and it can help in the development of fetal bones.
Malunggay capsule benefits | Image from Freepik
Does malunggay actually improve breast milk supply?
One of the most well-known benefits of malunggay is boosting a mother’s milk supply. Companies selling malunggay capsules have packaged their products to target women, specifically breastfeeding moms. But is there really any truth to this claim?
In terms of efficacy, the culture prevails but the testimony varies. It may be that, as in the case of Fenugreek, mothers would have to consume more malunggay than they are used to in order for it to start working as a galactagogue.
In a study of actual pregnant/nursing women conducted in Ospital ng Makati, it was found that those who took malunggay supplements before and continued after giving birth showed earlier onset of milk and a greater volume of it.
While only proper and frequent feeding can really stimulate milk production and maintain supply, malunggay benefits a new mother by facilitating the breastfeeding process further.
Not only does the baby get a lot of milk, but the amino acids and histidine in the plant can also aid their growth and development.
Risks of taking malunggay
When consumed as food, malunggayis usually safe. There’s also less of a chance of it triggering allergic reactions and a lesser possibility of it causing an overdose. However, extra-sensitive people may manifest allergic reactions to supplements such as malunggay capsule.
For pregnant moms, the bitter taste of the plant and the high amount of iron may increase morning sickness in the first trimester.
According to WebMD, the use of malunggay roots, flowers, or barks may have abortifacient effects (miscarriage) as it can promote uterine contractions in pregnant women.
Malunggay capsule benefits | Image from Freepik
Another thing to note is that supplements are not created equal across brands. So, one really has to do their own research and consult a doctor for recommended products.
In this case, malunggay benefits don’t outweigh the effects; therefore, it’s best to always seek advice from doctors before taking supplements.
The recommended dose for malunggay supplements?
There really is no prescribed dosage for malunggay supplements. Breastfeeding-supportive obstetricians, however, usually recommend pregnant patients to begin taking 2-3 malunggay capsules of their brand of choice two to three weeks before their due date.
Recent studies have shown the benefits of taking malunggay capsules while pregnant. Breastfeeding moms can attest how it helped them boost and maintain their milk supply. However, the possible harmful effect that moringa may have on your pregnancy also should not be taken lightly.
As it should always be the case when you’re pregnant, err on the side of caution. It’s best to consult your OB-GYN before taking malunggay capsules, or any herbal supplements and medicine.
Photo by hamed elhaei from Pexels
Malunggay and sex drive
You may not be aware that stress can impair sexual function. By elevating cortisol and lowering the feel-good hormone, dopamine, it might destabilize libido. It takes the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, and muscles—which are extremely susceptible to stress—to perform sexual function, which is a very complex process. According to an article published by The Good Housekeeping entitled, “10 Health Benefits of Moringa, According To Nutritionist.” It stated that malunggay may be one of the many plants that have been used for a long time to increase libido and are thought to be aphrodisiacs.
Moringa as energy booster
Including moringa in your morning routine may be a good idea if you’re searching for a caffeine-free energy boost. The B vitamins found in moringa assist healthy metabolic processes and help preserve long-term energy. Additionally, the good news is that you won’t experience the typical adverse effects of drinking coffee, such as energy dumps, jitters, or anxiety.
Updates by Jobelle Macayan
Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. TheAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.