Lactogenic Potential of Banana Flower (Musa spp.) on Breast Milk Production: A Systematic Review

Fitria  Mushollini; Aprilya Roza  Werdani; Fitratur Rahmah  Agustina; Samnil Astuti  Fitri; Donal  Ortega

doi:10.64141/pmhs.v2i2.67

Authors

Fitria Mushollini Universitas Adzkia
Aprilya Roza Werdani Universitas Adzkia
Fitratur Rahmah Agustina Universitas Adzkia
Samnil Astuti Fitri Universitas Adzkia
Donal Ortega Universitas Adzkia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64141/pmhs.v2i2.67

Keywords:

Banana Flower, Galactagogue, Lactation, Breast Milk Production

Abstract

Inadequate breast milk production is a major contributor to the failure of exclusive breastfeeding. Banana flower (Musa spp.) has long been traditionally used as a galactagogue in Southeast Asia; however, its clinical effectiveness requires systematic evaluation. This systematic review aims to evaluate the lactogenic effects of banana flower on breast milk production based on available clinical evidence. A systematic search was conducted in ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Portal Garuda databases for studies published between 2016 and 2026. The inclusion criteria comprised randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies involving postpartum mothers. Results: Thirteen studies were identified for synthesis. The majority of quasi-experimental studies conducted in Indonesia reported a significant increase in breast milk volume (p < 0.05) following the consumption of fresh banana flower (200–300 g/day). In contrast, high-quality RCTs using encapsulated extracts demonstrated inconsistent findings, with some studies reporting no significant differences compared with placebo during the early postpartum period. These discrepancies may be attributed to variations in banana species (e.g., Musa balbisiana), processing methods, and dosage. Phytochemical compounds such as saponins and flavonoids present in banana flower are hypothesized to stimulate prolactin secretion. Conclusion: Banana flower shows promising potential as a natural galactagogue, particularly when consumed as a whole food. However, standardized RCTs with precise dosing are required to confirm its clinical applicability.

References

Aisya, M. W., Zakaria, F., & Daud, W. (2020). The effects of banana blossom (Musa acuminata Colla) consumption on increased breast milk production in the work area of Talaga Jaya. Journal La Lifesci, 1(4), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.37899/journallalifesci.v1i4.198

Amornlerdpison, D., Choommongkol, V., Narkprasom, K., & Yimyam, S. (2021). Bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of banana inflorescence in a beverage for maternal breastfeeding. Applied Science, 11(343), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11010343

Astuti, H. (2020). Efektivitas jantung pisang dan daun katuk terhadap produksi ASI pada ibu menyusui di Desa Teluk Kiambang wilayah kerja Puskesmas Tempuling Kecamatan Tempuling Kabupaten Indragiri Hilir. Jurnal Selodang Mayang, 6(1), 15–22. https://doi.org/10.47521/selodangmayang.v6i1.142

Foong, S. C., Tan, M. L., Foong, W. C., Marasco, L. A., Ho, J., & Ong, J. H. (2020). Oral galactagogues (natural therapies or drugs) for increasing breast milk production in mothers of non-hospitalised term infants (review). Cochrane Library, 5(5), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011505.pub2

Hastuti, N. T., Intan, D., Andarini, S., & Indrawan, I. W. A. (2024). Comparison of oxytocin massage and banana flower consumption in increasing breast milk volume. Indonesian Journal of Human Nutrition, 11(1), 86–97. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.ijhn.2024.011.01.8

Hubaya, S., Karimah, & Sulima. (2016). Pengaruh konsumsi jantung pisang kepok terhadap peningkatan produksi ASI pada ibu menyusui di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Gambesi Kota Ternate. Jurnal Kesehatan, 8(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.32763/c5en4348

Jumhati, S. (2025). Perceived insufficient milk supply and exclusive breastfeeding: A systematic review of contributing factors. Media Penelitian dan Pengembangan Kesehatan, 35(4), 1252–1263. https://doi.org/10.34011/jmp2k.v35i4.3305

Kemenkes RI. (2023). Survei Kesehatan Indonesia (SKI) 2023. https://kemkes.go.id/id/survei-kesehatan-indonesia-ski-2023

Kurniawati, W., Wahyutri, E., & Syukur, N. A. (2023). Pengaruh konsumsi pizza jantung pisang terhadap produksi ASI. Jurnal Ilmu Kebidanan dan Kesehatan STIKES Bakti Utama Pati, 14(1), 42–51.

Lawrence, R. A., & Lawrence, R. M. (2016). Breastfeeding: A guide for the medical profession (8th ed.). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.13474

Manalu, A. B., Purba, J. T., Siagian, N. A., & Yanti, M. D. (2020). The effect of banana blossom consumption on improvement of breast milk production in breastfeeding mothers in Desa Candirejo Kecamatan Deli Serdang. Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas, 6(November), 298–302. https://doi.org/10.25311/keskom.Vol6.Iss3.592

Maydianasari, L., Widaryanti, R., Nugrahaningtyas, J., & Utami, W. (2024). Pemanfaatan laktogogum berbasis pangan lokal untuk meningkatkan produksi ASI. Jurnal Pengabdian Kesehatan Masyarakat, 3(2), 75–82. https://doi.org/10.35842/jas.v3i2.42

Nordin, Z. M., Bakar, I. A., Omar, M. N., & Mahmood, A. (2020). Effect of consuming lactogenic biscuits formulated with banana (Musa × paradisiaca) flower flour on expressed breast milk (EBM) among lactating working women. Food Research, 4(2), 294–300. https://doi.org/10.26656/fr.2017.4(2).292

Nurmiaty, Aisa, S., Aswita, Dolofu, M., Rahman, N., & Batbual, B. (2023). The impact of oxytocin massage and banana flower consumption (Musa balbisiana Colla) on the prolactin level in breastfeeding mothers. Jurnal Info Kesehatan, 21(4), 721–729. https://doi.org/10.31965/infokes.Vol21.Iss4.1129

Patrin, T., & Rizki, K. (2019). Perbandingan efektivitas pemberian kacang hijau dan jantung pisang terhadap kelancaran produksi ASI ibu menyusui. Cendekia Medika, 4(2), 129–138. https://jurnal.stikesalmaarif.ac.id/index.php/cendekia_medika/article/view/153

Rungruengsirichok, A., & Phupong, V. (2024). Banana blossom ingestion does not increase breast milk volume in mothers of preterm newborns: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Breastfeeding Medicine, 19(11), 857–862. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2024.0217

Siagian, D. S., Meiranny, A., Herlina, S., Ayuningtyas, R., & Maryanti, A. (2023). Hubungan tingkat pendidikan terhadap penggunaan laktagogum. Journal of Midwifery Science, 7(1), 9–18. https://doi.org/10.36341/jomis.v7i1.2834

Thagunna, B., Kandel, K., & Lamichane, B. (2023). Banana blossom: Nutritional value, health benefits and its utilization. Reviews in Food and Agriculture, 4(2), 66–70. https://doi.org/10.26480/rfna.02.2023.66.70

Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J. D., França, G. V. A., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., Murch, S., Sankar, M. J., & Walker, N. (2016). Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet, 387(10017), 475–490. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7

Wahyuningsih, D., Hidayat, S. T., Khafidhoh, N., Suwondo, A., Fatmasari, D., & Susiloretni, K. A. (2017). Effect of Musa balbisiana Colla extract on breast milk production in breastfeeding mothers. Belitung Nursing Journal, 3(3), 174–182. https://doi.org/10.33546/bnj.103

World Health Organization. (2021). Global breastfeeding scorecard 2021: Protecting breastfeeding through bold national actions. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-HEP-NFS-21.45

Yimyam, S., & Pattamapornpong, S. (2022). Galactagogue effect of banana (Musa × paradisiaca) blossom beverage on breast milk production among mothers undergoing cesarean section. Nursing and Health Sciences Journal, 2(3), 190–197. https://doi.org/10.53713/nhs.v2i3.154

Ystrom, E. (2012). Breastfeeding cessation and symptoms of anxiety and depression: A longitudinal cohort study. BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth, 12(36), 1–6. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/12/36

Yuliani, Friscila, I., & Mariana, F. (2023). Konsumsi jantung pisang terhadap rerata peningkatan produksi ASI pada ibu menyusui. Jurnal Kebidanan Khatulistiwa, 9(2), 52–57. https://ejournal.poltekkes-pontianak.ac.id/index.php/JKK/article/view/1210

Zelharsandy, V. T., & Soleha, M. (2024). Pengaruh konsumsi jantung pisang kepok terhadap peningkatan produksi ASI pada ibu menyusui. Lentera Perawat, 5(1), 172–177. https://doi.org/10.52235/lp.v5i1.305