Researchers in Kenya tested whether a powder made from moringa leaves could help breastfeeding mothers produce more milk. Fifty mothers were split into two groups: one group mixed moringa powder into their daily corn porridge, while the other group ate corn porridge without it. After three months, mothers taking moringa made about twice as much milk as those who didn’t. The babies whose mothers took moringa also had higher levels of a growth protein in their blood. However, the moringa didn’t change the milk’s nutritional content or how much the babies grew. Scientists say more research is needed to understand exactly how moringa works and whether these benefits last long-term.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does eating moringa leaf powder help breastfeeding mothers produce more milk and improve their babies’ health?
  • Who participated: 50 breastfeeding mother-baby pairs living in Kisumu County, Kenya. Most were healthy and similar between the two groups at the start of the study.
  • Key finding: Mothers who ate 20 grams of moringa powder daily for 3 months produced about 950 milliliters of milk per day, compared to 620 milliliters for mothers who didn’t take moringa—roughly 50% more milk. Babies in the moringa group also had higher levels of a growth-promoting protein called IGF-1 in their blood.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a breastfeeding mother struggling with milk supply, moringa powder might help you produce more milk. However, this was a small study in Kenya, so talk with your doctor before trying it. The findings suggest moringa could be helpful, but scientists need to do more research to confirm it works for everyone and understand exactly how it helps.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of medical studies. Researchers divided 50 breastfeeding mothers into two groups by location (cluster-randomized). One group mixed 20 grams of moringa powder into corn porridge they ate daily for three months, while the other group ate the same corn porridge without moringa. The mothers and babies didn’t know which group they were in at first, making it “single-blinded.”

The researchers measured milk production by having mothers express milk for 24 hours at the beginning and end of the study. They also collected blood samples from mothers and babies to check nutrient levels and took body measurements monthly. This careful tracking allowed them to see exactly how moringa affected milk production and infant health markers.

The study was well-designed because it included a control group (mothers without moringa) for comparison, measured multiple health markers, and tracked participants over time. This helps prove that moringa caused the changes, not something else.

This research approach matters because it answers a real problem: many mothers stop breastfeeding early because they think they don’t make enough milk. If moringa actually increases milk supply, it could help millions of mothers worldwide continue breastfeeding longer, which benefits babies’ health. By measuring actual milk output and blood markers rather than just asking mothers questions, the researchers got reliable evidence about whether moringa really works.

This study has several strengths: it was randomized (reducing bias), included a control group, had a high completion rate (90% of mothers finished), and measured objective outcomes like actual milk volume and blood protein levels. However, it was small (only 50 mothers), conducted in one region of Kenya, and lasted only three months. The researchers also couldn’t hide the moringa from mothers completely since they could taste it, which might have influenced results slightly. These limitations mean the findings are promising but need confirmation in larger, longer studies with different populations.

What the Results Show

The main finding was striking: mothers taking moringa produced significantly more milk. At three months, moringa mothers expressed an average of 947 milliliters of milk daily, while control mothers expressed only 618 milliliters—about 53% more milk in the moringa group. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s very unlikely to have happened by chance.

The second major finding involved a protein called IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) in babies’ blood. This protein helps babies grow and develop. Babies whose mothers took moringa had higher IGF-1 levels (25.2 ng/mL) compared to babies in the control group (17.8 ng/mL). This suggests moringa might support infant development, though the babies’ actual growth measurements didn’t differ between groups during the three-month study.

Interestingly, moringa didn’t change the quality of the milk itself. The amounts of fat and protein in the milk were similar between groups, and the types of fatty acids didn’t differ. This means moringa appears to help mothers make more milk, but not necessarily richer or more nutritious milk.

The study measured several other health markers that didn’t show significant differences. Maternal and infant iron status (measured by ferritin and transferrin receptor levels) was similar between groups. Vitamin A levels (measured by retinol-binding protein) also didn’t differ. Infant growth measurements taken monthly showed no difference in weight gain or length between the two groups over the three months. These findings suggest that while moringa increased milk volume and infant IGF-1, it didn’t dramatically change other nutritional markers in the short term.

This is one of the first rigorous scientific studies testing moringa for breastfeeding in humans. Previous research showed moringa leaves are very nutritious and contain many vitamins and minerals, but most studies were done in test tubes or animals, not real people. Some traditional communities have used moringa to support milk production for generations, but this study provides the first solid scientific evidence from a controlled trial. The findings align with moringa’s known nutrient content and suggest traditional use may have merit, though more research is needed.

Several important limitations should be considered. First, the study was small with only 50 mothers, so results might not apply to all populations. Second, it was conducted only in Kenya, so findings may differ in other countries with different diets and health conditions. Third, the study lasted only three months—we don’t know if the benefits continue longer or if they fade over time. Fourth, mothers could taste the moringa in their porridge, so they knew which group they were in, which might have influenced how they reported results. Finally, the study didn’t measure whether babies actually drank more milk or grew better in the long term, only that mothers produced more milk and babies had higher IGF-1 levels.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, moringa powder appears to be a promising option for breastfeeding mothers concerned about milk supply. The evidence suggests taking 20 grams daily may increase milk production significantly. However, confidence in this recommendation is moderate because the study was small and short-term. Before starting moringa, breastfeeding mothers should: (1) consult their doctor or lactation consultant, (2) ensure they’re eating enough calories and drinking enough water, (3) check that baby is latching correctly, and (4) consider other proven methods like frequent nursing. Moringa may be a helpful addition to these basics, not a replacement.

This research is most relevant for breastfeeding mothers who feel they don’t produce enough milk or want to increase their supply. It may be especially useful in developing countries where moringa grows locally and is affordable. Lactation consultants and healthcare providers in these regions should know about this finding. However, mothers in areas where moringa isn’t available or is expensive might find other solutions more practical. Pregnant women considering breastfeeding might also be interested in this option. People who don’t breastfeed don’t need to apply these findings.

Based on this study, mothers might expect to see increased milk production within three months of taking moringa daily. However, some mothers might notice changes sooner—possibly within weeks—while others might take the full three months. It’s important to be patient and consistent with moringa use. If a mother doesn’t see improvement after three months, she should talk with her doctor about other options. The long-term benefits beyond three months are unknown, so ongoing medical guidance is important.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily moringa powder intake (yes/no or grams consumed) and weekly expressed milk volume in milliliters. Users can set a goal of 20 grams daily and log actual intake. For milk volume, suggest weekly measurement on the same day and time for consistency. Create a simple chart showing milk volume trend over weeks and months to visualize progress.
  • Help users establish a daily routine by setting reminders to mix moringa powder into breakfast porridge or another regular meal. Create a checklist for daily moringa consumption and link it to breastfeeding sessions. Provide simple recipes for adding moringa to common foods. Include reminders to drink extra water and eat adequate calories, since these support milk production alongside moringa.
  • Implement a weekly milk volume tracking system where users log expressed milk amounts. Create a monthly summary showing trends and comparing to baseline. Set milestone celebrations (e.g., “You’ve reached 800 mL daily!”). Include a feature to share progress with healthcare providers. Suggest monthly check-ins with lactation consultants to ensure moringa is working and rule out other milk supply issues. Track overall breastfeeding satisfaction and infant feeding patterns alongside moringa use.

This research suggests moringa powder may help increase breast milk production, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Breastfeeding mothers should consult with their doctor, midwife, or lactation consultant before starting any supplement, including moringa. This study was conducted in Kenya with a small group of mothers and lasted only three months—results may not apply to all populations or long-term use. Moringa should be used alongside, not instead of, proven breastfeeding practices like frequent nursing, proper latch, adequate nutrition, and hydration. If you have concerns about milk supply or infant feeding, seek professional healthcare guidance immediately. Pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions should check with their healthcare provider before using moringa.