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

The study conducted an ethnobotanical survey of natural galactagogues in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pharmacies in Taiwan, analyzing 90 prescriptions and identifying 81 medicinal materials, primarily plant-based. Angelica sinensis and Tetrapanax papyrifer were the most frequently used ingredients. These prescriptions often included warm and sweet medicinal materials, with many being tonics. Modern research suggested these materials might have anticancer properties, particularly against breast and gynecological cancers. The study emphasized the preservation of TCM practices in Taiwan and called for further research to understand the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of these galactogenous prescriptions, including potential adverse effects and the need for clinical trials.