Effect on Milk Production:

Shatavari, Jivanti, methi, cumin and Anise have shown galactogogue property. Galactogogues interact with dopamine receptors and cause increase in prolactin concentration augmenting milk supply. Shatavari fresh root supplementation or in combination in herbal formulation with concentrate significantly increases milk yield in buffalo, crossbred cows and goats. Shatavari contains saponins, flavonoids, polyphenols including tannins and Vitamin C.Other herbal feed additives known to have galactopoietic properties are alfalfa (leaves), Anise (seeds), black cohosh (dried roots), black cumin (seeds), blessed thistle (flowering tops, leaves, seeds), borage (leaf and flowers), caraway (seeds), chaste berry (fruit), Dill (seed), Fennel (seed), fenugreek (seed), levant cotton (root), goat’s Rue (dried aerial part), Ixbut (dried aerial part), marshmallow (root, leaf), milk thistle (leaves, seeds), stinging Nettle (aerial parts), red raspberry (leaves and fruits), red clover (flower), saw palmetto (fruit), Shatapuspha (flowerhead), Vervain (aerial parts) and Vidarikanda (tuberous root).In these herbs main phytochemical groups with effect on galactopoiesis are alkaloids, polyphenols, Isoflavones, saponin , stearidonic acid, tannins and alpha linolenic acid. Some commercial herbal galactogogues used are anifed, galactin, leptaden, galog, Immu-21, Payapro, Ruchamax and Calshakti. Fenugreek supplementation in lactating goats increased significantly milk yield. The mixture of herbs (peppermint, wildpansy, chamomile, stingingnettle, common yarrow and thyme) improves milk composition, milk technological properties for cheese making processs and rennet-induced gel rheological properties when fed to Holstein-FriesianX Black and White Lowland crossbred cows. Methi supports milk production as it is rich source of essential fatty acids.Moreover its leaves and seed have anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, and anti-parasitic and procholesterolaemic effects due to presence of steroids, polyphenolic compounds, aminoacids etc.