Fenugreek tablets or an alternative?

[jonesso]

Has anyone had any side effects from taking Fenugreek tabs? How many do you take?

I started on Friday night - 2 morning, 2 lunchtime, 2 dinnertime - and today (Sunday) have had chronic sinus headaches, headspins etc. I took only one with dinner tonight instead of 2 and about an hour afterwards the headaches came on again... I am taking them to increase milk supply (I posted in breastfeeding about dieting and loss of milk) and they are definitely working, but the headaches are making me wonder if it's worth it... do they go away? Or can anyone suggest an alternative herbal supplement that works just as well to increase milk supply but without the headaches??

Thanks guys.

[Snugglepot]

I do not know of an alternative, but I was taking 6 mg per day (6 tablets as you are) Perhaps you could try the tea to see if that decreases the headaches?

[giggles]

Hi There,

I was also taking fenugreek. I didn't have headaches etc as you do but I know that the reason a lot of people take it is for mucous congestion so this might be the reason.

My understanding is once your supply has increased you can pretty much stop taking it as your body will then keep up, that was how my CHN explained it to me.

I didn't have any luck with it and had to go on and try motilium instead. Glad it has done the job for you though :-)

Maybe you should check in with someone and see just how long you should take it for.

Good luck!

[aardvark]

I've got a copy of The Green Pharmacy by James A Duke.

In addition to Fenugreek, it recommends Anise, Fennel, Alfalfa, Seseme Seeds for stimulating milk supply.

There's no mention in it about Fenugreek causing headaches.

[channy]

The best thing I have found for increasing milk supply is Blessed Thistle. It can be difficult to get and you can only get it from herbal/vitamin places. I found it worked better than Fenugreek. From memory it is about $20 for a month or two. I can't remember.

[Oscar's mum]

How are the headaches today Jonessa

[jonesso]

hey oscar's mum

i didn't take any today and surprise surprise, no headaches... will do one tab 3 times a day tomorrow and see how that goes... milk supply about same as yesterday so that's good. not up to 100% feeds but about triple what it was this time last week.

thanks for looking into the tabs and alternatives for me girls. much appreciated.