The Milktastic “Liquid Gold” Formula
What the Research Says About Its Herbal Ingredients & Breastfeeding Support
Prepared from publicly available studies – for educational purposes only.
Introduction
Low milk supply (or perceived low supply) is one of the most common reasons moms stop breastfeeding earlier than they planned. Studies estimate that up to one-third of breastfeeding women report concerns about not making enough milk.PMC+1
To cope with this, many moms turn to “galactagogues” — foods, herbs, or medications used with the hope of supporting milk production. A 2016 review found that herbal galactagogues such as fenugreek, ginger, turmeric and milk thistle are widely used around the world, although the quality of evidence varies and more research is needed.PMC+1
Milktastic’s Liquid Gold formula was designed around this reality:
Use herbs that appear in published lactation research
Choose ingredients commonly used in foods or teas
Keep the blend simple, plant-based, and transparent
This page walks through the existing science on key herbs in the formula.
1. Herbal Galactagogues: What We Know So Far
A quick look at the evidence
Systematic reviews of herbal galactagogues (herbs used to support milk production) found:
Several herbs — including fenugreek, ginger, turmeric, milk thistle, shatavari and others — have been studied in small trials.PMC+1
Some studies report increases in measured milk volume compared with placebo or baseline, but many trials are small, short-term, and not always blinded or well-controlled.PubMed+1
Surveys of breastfeeding women show that most moms who use plant-based galactagogues perceive them as helpful and report increased confidence and psychological benefits, even when objective data are limited.MDPI+2PLOS+2
Researchers generally agree on two key points:
Breastfeeding basics still matter most
Latch, feeding frequency, skin-to-skin, and overall maternal health are the foundation. Galactagogues should never replace evaluation and support from a lactation professional.NCBI+1
Some herbs show promise, but larger, high-quality trials are needed
Current evidence is encouraging but not definitive. Most studies are small and may have bias.
With that context, here’s what’s known about the specific herbs in Milktastic’s blend.
2. Ginger Root
Why it’s in the formula:
Ginger is one of the best-studied herbal galactagogues and is also widely used as a food and digestive aid.
Evidence for lactation
A randomized controlled trial in Thailand found that mothers who received ginger in the early postpartum period produced significantly more breast milk at 48–72 hours compared with placebo.PubMed+1
A 2021 clinical review of five ginger studies concluded that ginger may enhance milk volume in mothers with vaginal births, especially when used in combination with other herbs, though evidence is still considered low-quality overall.Karger Publishers+1
Safety
The LactMed database notes that ginger is used in some cultures as a galactagogue and is generally well tolerated; however, high-dose supplement data in nursing mothers are still limited, so moderation and medical guidance are recommended.NCBI+1
3. Milk Thistle (Silymarin)
Why it’s in the formula:
Milk thistle is one of the most frequently mentioned herbs for milk supply support.
Evidence for lactation
In a trial where healthy lactating women received silymarin (milk thistle extract) for 63 days, the silymarin group experienced an approximately 86% increase in daily milk production, compared with about 32% in the placebo group. No significant adverse effects were reported.ScienceDirect+1
A 2022 systematic review of clinical trials concluded that all included studies showed a positive effect of milk thistle on milk volume, though the number of studies was small and methodologies varied.ResearchGate+1
Safety
LactMed reports that milk thistle is generally well tolerated and that the available lactation studies found no serious side effects in mothers or infants, but emphasizes that data are still limited and more research is needed.NCBI+1
4. Turmeric Root
Why it’s in the formula:
Turmeric is a food-based spice with a long history in traditional medicine and appears in several mixed-herb lactation studies.
Evidence for lactation & postpartum comfort
A clinical trial of a herbal blend containing fenugreek, ginger, and turmeric reported a 49% increase in milk volume at week 2 and 103% increase at week 4 versus baseline in the herbal group, though the study combined several herbs, so the specific effect of turmeric is unclear.Liebertt Pub+1
Topical curcumin (from turmeric) has been studied for lactational mastitis, with one trial showing reduced breast pain and inflammation compared with placebo cream.ww.omjournal.org+1
Safety
LactMed notes that turmeric as a food ingredient is “generally recognized as safe” and a small study found no adverse effects in infants exposed through breast milk.NCBI+1
Because of limited data on high-dose supplements in breastfeeding, some authorities advise avoiding very large doses beyond typical food amounts unless supervised by a healthcare provider.Breastfeeding and Medication+1
5. Beet Root
Why it’s in the formula:
Beetroot is a nutrient-dense vegetable rich in folate, nitrates, and antioxidants, often recommended in pregnancy for general nutritional support.
Evidence related to postpartum health
A 2023 study in lactating mothers found that beetroot juice with honey significantly improved hemoglobin levels compared with controls, suggesting a potential benefit for postpartum anemia.ijhp.net
Consumer and clinical resources describe beetroot as nutrient-rich and generally safe in food amounts during pregnancy, although specific lactation safety/efficacy data are limited.Drugs.com+3Pampers-IN-EN+3bumpboxes.com+3
There are no robust trials showing beetroot alone increases milk supply, but it is often included in wellness-oriented postpartum diets for its nutritional profile.
6. Dandelion Leaf, Artichoke, Alfalfa & L-Cysteine
These ingredients play more supportive roles in the formula.
Dandelion Leaf
Used widely in herbal teas, including some marketed for breastfeeding. Surveys and traditional use describe it as part of herbal blends aimed at gentle detox and fluid balance, but rigorous lactation-specific data are sparse.PMC+1
Artichoke Extract
Artichoke leaf extract has been studied mainly for digestive and liver support, not directly for lactation. Better digestion and nutrient absorption can indirectly support overall breastfeeding wellness, but no direct milk-volume trials exist yet.PMC
Alfalfa Leaf
Alfalfa appears in many traditional lactation teas and blends. Some practitioners and observational reports suggest it may support milk flow, but high-quality randomized trials are lacking, so it is considered a traditional rather than proven galactagogue.PMC+1
L-Cysteine
L-cysteine is an amino acid naturally present in many foods. Research in lactation focuses more on overall maternal nutrition and antioxidant status than on cysteine specifically, but adequate protein and amino acids are known to be important for postpartum recovery.Indigo
7. How This Lines Up With Milktastic’s Formula
Milktastic’s Liquid Gold formula brings these strands together:
Ginger & milk thistle – herbs with the strongest direct lactation data, showing increased milk volume in small trials and generally good tolerability.ResearchGate+4PubMed+4SAGE Journals+4
Turmeric – a food-based herb that appears in mixed herbal galactagogue studies and topical mastitis trials, with food-level safety and caution advised for high-dose supplements.Breastfeeding and Medication+3Liebertt Pub+3ww.omjournal.org+3
Beetroot and dandelion – nutrient-rich and traditionally used in postpartum wellness, with emerging evidence for improved hemoglobin and general health markers.ijhp.net+2Pampers-IN-EN+2
Alfalfa, artichoke, L-cysteine – supportive ingredients aimed at digestion, nutrient status and traditional lactation use, though not all have direct milk-volume trials.
The formula is not a magic switch; instead, it’s built to align with:
What the current research suggests may help
Herbs breastfeeding moms are already using in teas and food
A safety-first mindset: plant-based, transparent, and intended to be used alongside good breastfeeding support (not instead of it)
8. Safety, Limitations & What This Paper Doesn’t Claim
Important safety points
Most studies above involve small sample sizes, sometimes without full randomization or blinding. Results are promising but not definitive.PMC+2PubMed+2
Herbal galactagogues can have side effects or interactions, especially in high doses or in people with underlying conditions.
Turmeric and beetroot, for example, are considered safe as foods, but data on high-dose supplements in breastfeeding are limited, so conservative dosing and medical guidance are recommended.NCBI+2Drugs.com+2
What we are not saying
This is not a guarantee that Milktastic or any supplement will increase milk for every mom.
This information does not replace individualized medical or lactation care.
Results in studies often use different extracts, doses, and combinations than any single commercial product.
9. Conclusion
Modern breastfeeding moms are often caught between two worlds:
Confusing, synthetic-heavy supplements that don’t feel safe
And traditional herbal wisdom that hasn’t always been rigorously studied
The research so far suggests that herbs like ginger and milk thistle may support milk volume in some women, while others like turmeric, beetroot, dandelion and alfalfa play roles in overall postpartum wellness and are widely used in lactation teas and blends.MDPI+4PubMed+4ScienceDirect+4
Milktastic’s Liquid Gold formula was built to sit at the intersection of:
Real, publicly available research
Traditional use by breastfeeding women
And a safety-first approach using food-familiar, plant-based ingredients
Used together with good latch, frequent feeding or pumping, rest, hydration and professional support, a well-designed herbal formula can be one more tool in a mom’s breastfeeding toolkit.
Quick Legal Note
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Always consult your healthcare provider before using any supplement while pregnant or breastfeeding.
References
Paritakul, P. et al. (2016). The Effect of Ginger on Breast Milk Volume in the Early Postpartum Period: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Trial.
Breastfeeding Medicine.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27505611/ PubMed
Bumrungpert, A. et al. (2018). Effects of Fenugreek, Ginger, and Turmeric Supplementation on Human Milk Volume and Nutrient Content in Breastfeeding Mothers: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial.
Breastfeeding Medicine.
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30411974/ PubMed
Mortel, M., & Mehta, S. D. (2013). Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Herbal Galactogogues.
Journal of Human Lactation.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23468043/ PubMed
Bazzano, A. N. et al. (2016). A Review of Herbal and Pharmaceutical Galactagogues for Breast-Feeding.
Journal of Human Lactation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5158159/ PMC
Karapati, E. et al. (2021). Mothers in Need of Lactation Support May Benefit from Certain Galactagogues: A Review.
Nutrients.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8747006/ PMC
Barbosa, C. C. et al. (2020). Silymarin Administration During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A Review.
International Immunopharmacology.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161813X20300309 ScienceDirect
Effect of Milk Thistle Plant on Breast Milk Volume: A Systematic Review. (2021).
ResearchGate preprint.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363264399_Effect_of_Milk_Thistle_Plant_on_Breast_Milk_Volume_A_Systematic_Review ResearchGate
National Library of Medicine. LactMed – Drugs and Lactation Database (Milk Thistle monograph).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501771/ NCBI
National Library of Medicine. LactMed – Turmeric monograph.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501846/ NCBI
National Library of Medicine. LactMed – Ginger monograph.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501786/ NCBI
National Library of Medicine. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) – Overview.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/ NCBI
Qomariyah, S. (2023). The Effectiveness of Beet Juice (Beetroot and Honey) on Hemoglobin Levels in Lactating Mothers.
International Journal of Health Promotion.
https://ijhp.net/index.php/IJHP/article/view/216 ijhp.net
Syari, M. et al. (2023). Effectiveness of Beetroot in Increasing Hemoglobin Levels in Pregnant Women with Anemia.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
https://journal-jps.com/new/index.php/jps/article/view/338 journal-jps.com
Ryan, R. A. et al. (2023). Use of Galactagogues to Increase Milk Production Among Mothers of Preterm Infants.
Journal of Human Lactation.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212267223002794 ScienceDirect
Spencer, J. P. et al. (2022). Medication Safety in Breastfeeding.
American Family Physician.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2022/1200/medication-safety-breastfeeding.html American Academy of Family Physicians
Breastfeeding and Medication (UK). Turmeric Supplements and Breastfeeding – Fact Sheet. (2020).
https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/turmeric-supplements-and-breastfeeding breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk
The Royal Women’s Hospital (Australia). Complementary Medicines and Breastfeeding.
https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/breastfeeding/medicines-drugs-and-breastfeeding/complementary-medicines-and-breastfeeding The Women's Australia
Paritakul, P. et al. The Effect of Ginger on Breast Milk Volume in the Early Postpartum Period (PDF version).
ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306020631_The_Effect_of_Ginger_on_Breast_Milk_Volume_in_the_Early_Postpartum_Period_A_Randomized_Double-Blind_Controlled_Trial ResearchGate
Bumrungpert, A. et al. Effects of Fenugreek, Ginger, and Turmeric Supplementation on Human Milk Volume and Nutrient Content (PDF).
ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328847566_Effects_of_Fenugreek_Ginger_and_Turmeric_Supplementation_on_Human_Milk_Volume_and_Nutrient_Content_in_Breastfeeding_Mothers ResearchGate
J Med Assoc Thai. A Study on Instant Ginger Drink Effect in Enhancing Breast Milk Volume.
(PDF) https://www.jmatonline.com/PDF/259-63_9612.pdf JMAT Online
Drugs and Lactation Database – Turmeric, Ginger, Milk Thistle entries (updated 2025).
Accessible via: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/ and linked monographs. NCBI
