Herbal Supplements For Breast Growth

With more women looking for less expensive and less invasive methods to increase breast size, some turn to herbal supplements. Although many cultures and civilizations have incorporated natural herbs such as fenugreek to produce breast milk and treat menopause, the use of herbal supplements for cosmetic purposes is a relatively new field of study that currently lacks supporting evidence.

Fenugreek

A majority of breast enlargement supplements contain fenugreek, an herb commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms and stimulate production of breast milk. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine acknowledges fenugreek's use to produce breast milk; however, little scientific research proves this.

Wild Yam

Wild yam is probably the most widely used herbal tonic for women's health, according to the herbal supplement website Greenbrush Natural Products. Herbalist Susan Weed, author of "Breast Cancer? Breast Health!", recommends wild yam for benefits in women's reproductive health, including premenstrual syndrome and menopausal problems.

Saw Palmetto

An herb commonly used as an aphrodesiac, saw palmetto has been used for centuries in Native American civilizations used to treat breast disorders in women and to increase breast size.

According to Greenbrush, saw palmetto can also help men with prostate health.

Controversy

According to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, breast enhancement products exploit common misconceptions about what herbs can and cannot do. Advertisements claim that ingesting herbs that contain a plant-based estrogen called phytoSERMs---selective estrogen receptor modulators---will stimulate breast growth similar to regular estrogen. However, the foundation notes that many herbal supplements have an anti-estrogenic effect on premenopausal women and work better for postmenopausal women. The foundation also states that exposing women to large amounts of estrogen could increase their risk for breast cancer. These sentiments are echoed by MayoClinic.com's Dr. Sandhya Pruthi.

Considerations

Herbal and holistic medicines such as the previously mentioned herbs are not regulated by the FDA so companies that sell over-the-counter medicines can make any claim they want about a product. Because of the 1994 Dietary Health Supplement Education Act, or DHSEA, companies that sell herbal supplements do not need FDA approval. Once a supplement is on the market, the FDA must prove that a supplement is unsafe before it can ban it from stores.