Selected Herbal Galactagogues In Indonesian Postpartum Care: A Narrative Review Integrating Product Standardization, Maternal Factors, And Infant Outcomes Selected Herbal Galactagogues In Indonesian Postpartum Care: A Narrative Review Integrating Product Standardization, Maternal Factors, And Infant Outcomes

Abstract

Herbal galactagogues are widely used during the postpartum period, but evidence should be interpreted at the level of a defined preparation rather than a plant name alone. This narrative review integrates natural-product science, obstetrics, and pediatrics to examine Moringa oleifera (kelor), Phyllanthus androgynus (syn. Sauropus androgynus; katuk), and Coleus amboinicus (syn. Plectranthus amboinicus; torbangun). A targeted literature search prioritized recent systematic reviews, clinical trials, cohort studies, and phytochemical studies, while retaining selected landmark evidence. Clinical findings suggest preparation-specific signals of benefit, but differences in botanical identity, processing, dose, postpartum timing, lactation phenotype, and outcome measurement limit generalization. Natural-product evaluation requires authenticated material, reproducible preparation, chemical fingerprinting, and contaminant control. Maternal assessment should identify obstetric and metabolic contributors to delayed lactogenesis, while pediatric assessment should verify milk transfer, hydration, growth, jaundice risk, and possible exposure-related adverse events. We propose a preparation-specific mother-infant dyad framework in which herbal products are considered only as monitored adjuncts after modifiable causes of low milk production or transfer are addressed. This framework provides a more reproducible and clinically interpretable basis for future Indonesian galactagogue research