5 Comprehensive Guide to Drying Up Milk Supply

Successfully weaning while managing Dysautonomia, POTS, or Lyme disease requires a gentle, balanced approach. This guide provides a structured method to dry up milk supply naturally, along with key considerations for moms with chronic health conditions. Plus, we’ll explore how Wellhistic supplements can subtly support your transition.

1. Why Choose Natural Weaning Over Medications?

Many doctors recommend pharmaceutical lactation suppressants like cabergoline (Dostinex) to rapidly halt milk production. While effective, they come with significant side effects, especially for moms managing Dysautonomia, POTS, or Lyme disease:

• Blood Pressure Crashes → Can lead to dizziness, fainting, and extreme fatigue (dangerous for POTS/Dysautonomia moms who already struggle with BP regulation).

• Severe Hormonal Disruptions → Sudden prolactin drops can cause mood swings, anxiety, and depression.

• Neurological Symptoms → Many moms report brain fog, headaches, and nausea as side effects.

• Long-Term Impact → Cabergoline affects dopamine levels, which can worsen autonomic dysfunction and nervous system regulation.

The Better Alternative?

A gradual, natural approach gives your body time to adjust hormonally, helping to prevent extreme mood shifts, energy crashes, and nervous system dysregulation.

2. Basic Physical Steps

• Cold Compresses & Cabbage Leaves

• Apply for 20–30 minutes to reduce engorgement and send a “milk supply off” signal to your body.

• Avoid Hot Showers & Nipple Stimulation

• Heat and friction can increase milk flow, so opt for warm, not hot water and limit direct stimulation.

3. The Complete Herb & Oil List

Certain anti-galactagogue herbs and oils reduce breast milk supply by lowering prolactin, acting as diuretics, or tightening tissues. Here’s how they work and what to watch for:

🌿 Sage

• Action: High in phytoestrogens, competes with prolactin to reduce milk production.

• Consideration: Can dry out mucous membranes, so avoid if Dysautonomia causes dryness.

🌿 Jasmine

• Action: Increases dopamine, which lowers prolactin levels and reduces milk flow.

• Consideration: Can help reduce anxiety a key benefit if POTS or Lyme cause nervous system dysregulation.

🌿 Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

• Action: Menthol disrupts lactation hormones, reducing milk flow.

• Consideration: Can lower blood pressure, so POTS/Dysautonomia moms should introduce gradually.

🌿 Spearmint

• Action: Contains mild phytoestrogens, which compete with prolactin.

• Consideration: Less impact on blood pressure, but still monitor for dizziness.

🌿 Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

• Action: Diuretic effect flushes excess fluids, reducing milk.

• Consideration: Can lower BP, so ensure proper hydration & electrolyte balance.

🌿 Black Walnut

• Action: Tannins tighten tissues, reducing milk production.

• Consideration: Antiparasitic properties may trigger herx reactions in Lyme disease.

🌿 Stinging Nettle

• Action: Mild diuretic with iron and minerals.

• Consideration: Nourishing, but still monitor for fluid shifts with POTS.

🌿 Lemon Balm

• Action: Mild sedative effect calms nerves and reduces prolactin.

• Consideration: Helps ease weaning anxiety, but watch thyroid function.

🌿 Oregano & Thyme

• Action: Contain carvacrol & thymol, which reduce prolactin.

• Consideration: Strong antimicrobials that may trigger Lyme herx reactions.

4. Supporting Your Body with Wellhistic Supplements

Milk-supply-reducing herbs can alter fluid balance and hormone levels, which can be tough on moms with Dysautonomia, POTS, or chronic infections. Subtle support from Wellhistic supplements can help:

💊 BOOST

• Purpose: Helps maintain stable blood sugar & adrenal balance.

• Synergy: If using diuretics like parsley or nettle, BOOST supports energy stability, preventing fatigue or BP dips.

💊 PMS & Hormone Support

• Purpose: Balances estrogen, progesterone, and mild prolactin regulation.

• Synergy: While sage lowers prolactin, PMS & Hormone Support maintains hormonal balance to prevent mood swings & cortisol spikes.

💊 CALM

• Purpose: Encourages relaxation & cortisol regulation vital if Dysautonomia or anxiety flares up.

• Synergy: Some anti-galactagogue herbs (peppermint, oregano) can be stimulating, so CALM balances nervous system effects.

5. Final Tips: Balancing Herbs with Wellhistic

💊 Pair Herbs with the Right Supplement

• Diuretics (parsley, nettle)? → Take BOOST for energy stability.

• Mood swings or PMS symptoms? → Use PMS & Hormone Support.

• High stress or nervous system tension? → Try CALM + peppermint oil massage.

⚖️ Small Steps, Big Impact

• Even half a cup of sage tea daily can gently dry up milk.

6. Closing Thoughts

Ready to Support Your Hormonal Transition Naturally?

Your body deserves nourishment and balance as you navigate this weaning journey. Wellhistic supplements are formulated with powerful, research-backed herbs and adaptogens to help:

1. ✅ BOOST – Maintain stable blood sugar and energy levels while reducing stress. 
2. ✅ PMS & Hormone Support – Support hormonal balance and prevent extreme mood swings.
3. ✅ CALM – Soothe your nervous system, manage stress, and aid relaxation

From sage to sorrel, these natural anti-galactagogues provide a gentle route to drying up milk without the drastic hormonal shifts & BP crashes that pharmaceutical suppressants like Dostinex can cause. By combining herbal weaning strategies with BOOST, PMS & Hormone Support, and CALM, you create a holistic safety net supporting blood sugar, hormonal stability, and emotional well-being. From sage to sorrel, these natural anti-galactagogues provide a gentle route to drying up milk without the drastic hormonal shifts & BP crashes that pharmaceutical suppressants like Dostinex can cause. By combining herbal weaning strategies with BOOST, PMS & Hormone Support, and CALM, you create a holistic safety net supporting blood sugar, hormonal stability, and emotional well-being.

Ultimately: Weaning is about nurturing YOU as much as your child.

With mindful choices, subtle synergy, and awareness of your chronic health conditions, you can transition with strength, balance, and confidence. 💛

XX to your INVISIBLE BATTLES & UNSEEN STRENGTH,
Carola Le-Wriedt, Founder, Wellhistic and The Holistic Detox