Though marketing has done a good deal to increase interest and awareness in herbal breast-enhancing products, little researched-based evidence exists to support some of the claims of the advertisers. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists discourages the use of herbs for breast enhancement because of both long-term safety concerns and a lack of evidence related to their effectiveness.
Black Cohosh
Commonly used for relief from menopausal symptoms, black cohosh may also be found in breast-enhancing formulas. The stems and the root of the plant are used to make pills and liquid extracts. Black cohosh can cause stomach discomfort and headaches. Scientists are also concerned about the possible negative effects of black cohosh on the liver, notes the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Women taking black cohosh should discontinue use immediately if they experience dark urine, abdominal pain or jaundice.
Dong Quai
In Asia, Dong quai has a long history of use for gynecological disorders as well as other medical ills. Though this herb's name is translated as "return to order," the National Institutes of Health conclude that little evidence supports the use of Dong quai for any condition. Dong quai may lead to an increased risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulants.
Hops Extract
Though the hops found in bust-enhancing formulas is not likely to enlarge breasts, a property of this twining vine, a member of the hemp family, have led to its use in formulas. Hops may serve as a host for the mold Fusarium, which produces zearalenone. Zearalenone in moldy grains leads to mammary enlargement in pigs. Humans may be affected similarly, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Fennel
Little is known about medicinal uses of fennel seed, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, though they do note one study has found fennel given to female rats in moderate amounts increased the weight of their mammary glands. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine notes that fennel seed may lead to hyperprolactinemia, a condition in which individuals who are not pregnant have too much prolactin in their blood. Hyperprolactinemia may lead to irregular, infrequent or halted menstruation, or it may cause breasts to start producing milk.
Fenugreek
Though there is no evidence that fenugreek increases breast size, it may encourage mammary maturation. Commonly found in breast enhancement supplements, fenugreek is also used for stimulating breast milk production and for treating diabetes. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports insufficient scientific evidence for any use of fenugreek except for lowering blood sugar levels for diabetes patients. Potential side effects of ingesting the dried ground seeds of the fenugreek plant include bloating, gas and diarrhea.
Kava
Kava appears to be associated with increased prolactin, which may result in breast enlargement, though limited evidence exists for its use. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists sited one study in which 59 women took kava for two months, and 39 percent of them reported some breast enlargement. The FDA advises against the use of kava-containing supplements as it may lead to severe liver damage.
Wild Yam
The use of wild yam or Dioscorea villosa in breast enhancement formulas is based on the misconception that wild yam contains hormones, states the National Institutes of Health. They explain that although hormones were once chemically manufactured from wild yam, this does not mean that the same sort of chemical conversion takes place within the human body. Avoid using wild yam during pregnancy and breastfeeding, recommends the National Institutes of Health, as its side effects are not well researched.
References
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Bust Enhancing Herbal Products
- National Institutes of Health: Wild Yam
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fenugreek
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Kava
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Black Cohash
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