The Effectiveness of Oxytocin Massage Using Lavender and Fennel Essential Oils on Breast Milk Production in Postpartum Mothers: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Keywords:
oxytocin massage, fennel essential oils, lavender, breast milk production, breastfeedingAbstract
Background: Inadequate breast milk production is the primary barrier to exclusive breastfeeding, contributing to suboptimal infant feeding practices and adverse health outcomes globally. Non-pharmacological interventions addressing both lactation physiology and maternal psychological well-being are urgently needed. Methods: This research used quasi-experimental study which evaluated oxytocin massage using lavender and fennel essential oils on breast milk production in postpartum mothers. Thirty postpartum mothers (0–14 days postpartum) were randomized to intervention (n=15) or control (n=15) groups at a midwifery clinic in South Tangerang, Indonesia (May–July 2025). The intervention group received standardized oxytocin massage with lavender-fennel essential oil for 10 minutes daily over 7 days. Controls received standard postpartum care. Breast milk production was assessed at baseline and post-intervention using validated questionnaire. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test and Mann-Whitney U test analyzed data (p<0.05). Results: Post-intervention, 93.3% of intervention mothers achieved abundant milk production versus 46.7% of controls achieving adequate production (p=0.001). Within-group analysis showed significant improvement in the intervention group (Z=−3.464, p=0.002). Conclusions: Oxytocin massage with lavender and fennel essential oils is an effective for enhancing breast milk production in postpartum mothers. Its multimodal action on both physiological and psychological dimensions of lactation supports integration into routine postpartum care, particularly in resource-limited settings.
References
1. World Health Organization, & United Nations Children's Fund. (2021). Infant and young child feeding. World Health Organization.
2. Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J. D., França, G. V. A., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., et al. (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
3. Horta, B. L., & Victora, C. G. (2015). Long-term consequences of breastfeeding: A systematic review. World Health Organization.
4. Horta, B. L., Victora, C. G., Menezes, A. M. B., et al. (2015). Long-term consequences of breastfeeding on cholesterol, obesity, systolic blood pressure and type 2 diabetes: A 30-year follow-up birth cohort study. Acta Paediatrica, 104(S467), 30–37. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.13133
5. Horta, B. L., Loret de Mola, C., & Victora, C. G. (2015). Long-term consequences of breastfeeding on cholesterol, obesity, systolic blood pressure and type 2 diabetes: A 30-year follow-up birth cohort study. Acta Paediatrica, 104(S467), 30–37. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.13133
6. Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. (2002). Breast cancer and breastfeeding: Collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries. The Lancet, 360(9328), 187–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(02)09454-0
7. United Nations Children's Fund. (2022). Infant and young child feeding. UNICEF.
8. Setegn, T., Gerbaba, M., & Belachew, T. (2011). Exclusive breastfeeding practices in South East Ethiopia and associated factors. International Breastfeeding Journal, 6, 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4358-6-8
9. Badan Pusat Statistik Indonesia. (2023). Survei Demografi dan Kesehatan Indonesia 2023. BPS.
10. Dinas Kesehatan Provinsi Banten. (2021). Profil kesehatan Provinsi Banten tahun 2021. Dinas Kesehatan Provinsi Banten.
11. Horton, S., & Shekar, M. (2016). Scaling up nutrition: What will it cost? The Lancet, 387(10025), 1348–1350. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30010-4
12. Odom, E. C., Li, R., Scanlon, K. S., Perrine, C. G., & Grummer-Strawn, L. (2013). Reasons for earlier than desired cessation of breastfeeding. Pediatrics, 131(3), e726–e732. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-1295
13. McNeilly, A. S. (2001). Lactational control of reproduction. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 13(7–8), 583–590. https://doi.org/10.1071/RD01056
14. Dias, C. C., & Figueiredo, B. (2015). Breastfeeding and depression: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Affective Disorders, 171, 142–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.09.022
15. Coad, J., Dunstall, M., Hickman, K., & Hussain, K. (2019). Physical characteristics of labour. In J. Coad & M. Dunstall (Eds.), Midwifery: A comprehensive textbook (4th ed., pp. 276–290). Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
16. Uvnäs-Moberg, K., & Prime, D. K. (2013). Oxytocin effects in mothers and infants during breastfeeding. Infant, 9(6), 201–206.
17. Ali, B., Al-Wabel, N. A., Shams, S., Ahamad, A., Khan, S. A., & Anwar, F. (2015). Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systematic review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 5(8), 601–611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.05.007
18. Lopresti, A. L., Smith, S. J., Malvi, H., & Kodgule, R. (2019). An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine, 98(37), e17186. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000017186
19. Kasper, S., Gastpar, M., Möller, H. J., et al. (2014). Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of subsyndromal anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Phytomedicine, 21(12), 1407–1413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2014.05.005
20. Badgujar, S. B., Patel, V. V., & Bandivdekar, A. H. (2014). Foeniculum vulgare Mill.: A review of its botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, contemporary application, and toxicology. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 4(2), 87–92. https://doi.org/10.4103/2225-4110.126626
21. Manzoor, A., & Rather, I. A. (2016). Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) ethanol extract and its major constituents reduce insulin resistance and ameliorate inflammation in high-fat diet-fed mice. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 84, 1546–1555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2016.10.080
22. Uvnäs-Moberg, K. (2003). The oxytocin factor: Tapping the power of our natural bonding hormone (1st ed.). Da Capo Press.
23. Jones, E., Dimpossible, J. M., Dore, C., & Renfrew, M. J. (2016). Hands-on techniques to improve direct breastfeeding. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016(2), CD009034. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009034.pub2
24. Stuebe, A. M., Grewen, K., & Meltzer-Brody, S. (2005). Association between maternal mood and oxytocin response to breastfeeding. Journal of Women's Health, 14(2), 146–155. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2005.14.146
25. Theodoridou, A., Rowe, A. C., Penton-Voak, I. S., & Rogers, P. J. (2009). Oxytocin and social perception: Oxytocin increases perceived facial trustworthiness and attractiveness. Hormones and Behavior, 56(1), 128–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.03.019
26. Coad, J., Al-Rasheid, K., & Dunstall, M. (2019). Anatomy and physiology for midwives and women's health nurse practitioners (5th ed.). Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
27. Tildesley, N. T. J., Kennedy, D. O., Perry, E. K., et al. (2003). Salvia lavandulaefolia (Spanish sage) enhances memory in healthy young volunteers. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 75(3), 669–674. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0091-3057(03)00122-9
28. Dehkhordi, A. V., Mirmohammadi, M., Sedighi, A., Azadmehr, A., & Hajiaghaee, R. (2015). The effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil inhalation on anxiety and depression in postpartum mothers. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 21(3), 159–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.05.001
29. Worwood, V. (2016). The complete book of essential oils and aromatherapy (2nd ed.). New World Library.
30. Ueberall, M. A., Wenig, C. M., & von Keyserlingk, D. G. (2009). Clinically controlled application of a local drug formulation containing lavender oil and chamomile extract reduces depression-related symptoms. Phytomedicine, 16(2–3), 218–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2008.10.004
31. Yanti, A., & Yulianti, I. (2024). Efektivitas pijat oksitosin dan aromaterapi lavender terhadap produksi ASI pada ibu nifas. Jurnal EDUNursing, 8(1), 19–30.
32. Jafari, F., Behnam Vashani, H., Farhadifar, F., & Mohebbi, M. (2017). The effect of aromatherapy with lavender essential oil on anxiety and hemodynamic parameters in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 17(13), 1204–1210. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201017666160813162857
33. Prasad, C. (1998). Food, mood, and health: A neurobiologic outlook. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 31(12), 1517–1527. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-879X1998001200001
34. Choi, H. S., Song, H. S., Ukeda, H., & Sawamura, M. (2000). Radical scavenging activities of citrus essential oils and their components. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 48(9), 4156–4161. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf000227d
35. Singh, G., Maurya, S., DeLampasona, M. P., & Catalan, C. A. N. (2006). A comparison of chemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial studies of Coriandrum sativum L. seed essential oil and its acetone extract. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 86(14), 2330–2336. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2602
36. Badgujar, S. B., Patel, V. V., & Bandivdekar, A. H. (2014). Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) phytochemistry: Compounds, traditional uses and pharmacological activities. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 8(16), 172–183. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.134247
37. Askaripoor, T., Mardani-Hamoleh, M., & Naghii, M. (2015). The efficacy of a galactagogue herbal tea on breast milk production and short-term catch-up growth in preterm infants. Breastfeeding Medicine, 10(10), 470–474. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2015.0073
38. Nurainun, E., & Susilowati, E. (2021). Pengaruh pijat oksitosin terhadap produksi ASI pada ibu nifas: Literature review. Jurnal Kebidanan Khatulistiwa, 7(1), 20–28.
39. Nurley, A., Muwahidah, J., Riasa, T., & Santoso. (2022). Pijat oksitosin meningkatkan produksi ASI pada ibu nifas: Systematic review. Jurnal Penelitian Kesehatan, 15(3), 245–254.
40. Rowe, H., Baker, T., & Hale, T. W. (2013). Maternal medication, drug use, and breastfeeding. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 60(1), 275–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2012.10.009
41. Ito, S., Blajchman, A., Stephens, D., Eliopoulos, C., & Koren, G. (1993). Prospective follow-up of adverse reactions in breast-fed infants exposed to maternal medication. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 168(5), 1393–1399. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(93)90316-E
42. Hasanah, N., Kamelia, E., & Kartilah, T. (2024). The effect of oxytocin massage and fennel aromatherapy on milk fluidity in lactating women within the Kawalu Health Centre working area, Tasikmalaya. JNKI (Jurnal Ners dan Kebidanan Indonesia), 12(2), 168–177. https://doi.org/10.21927/jnki.2024.12(2).168-177
