Efficacy of Steamed Ginger Extract Capsule on Breast Milk Flow Rate Among Primiparous Women Following Normal Vaginal Delivery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Saovapak Poomirat, PhD¹, Nuanjan Jaiarree, PhD¹, Naphatsaran Roekruangrit, PhD², Arunporn Itharat, PhD¹,³, Preecha Wanichsetakul, MD⁴
Affiliation : ¹ Department of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand; ² Faculty of Integrative Medicine, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Prachathipat, Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, Thailand; ³ Center of Excellence on Applied Thai Traditional Medicine Research (CEATMR), Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand; ⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Background: Inadequate milk production is common after delivery. In Thai traditional medicine, steamed ginger is used to promote lactation, and recently its extract has been developed in capsule form as a convenient and standardized preparation for postpartum women.
Objective: To study the efficacy and side effects of steamed ginger extract capsule and placebo for promoting milk production in postpartum primiparous women after normal vaginal delivery.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a double-blind, two-group design. Sixty-six women who had spontaneous vaginal deliveries were divided into two groups. The control group received a placebo, and the intervention group received the steam ginger extract capsules three times a day for three days, with the first dose starting two hours after delivery. The Numerical Rating Scale of milk flow rates was used for milk production assessment.
Results: Demographic and obstetric characteristics between the two groups showed no significant differences. In terms of milk flow, the ginger extract group outperformed the placebo group. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). On the right breast after 24 and 48 hours, the mean scores in the groups receiving ginger extract were 0.73±0.12 and 3.55±0.09. While those in the groups receiving placebo were 0.70±0.11 and 1.82±0.13. On the left breast after 24 and 48 hours, the mean scores in the ginger extract group were 0.85±0.13 and 3.73±0.80, whereas the mean scores in the placebo group were 0.91±0.08 and 1.79±0.10, respectively.
Conclusion: Steamed ginger extract could improve milk flow rate in Postpartum primiparous women after normal vaginal delivery. Furthermore, no significant adverse effects were reported during the study period.
Received 28 November 2025 | Revised 17 March 2026 | Accepted 18 March 2026
DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2026.5.03913
Keywords : Steamed ginger extract; Milk flow rate; Postpartum women
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