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Table 3 The top ten most common T/CM used by respondents

From: The prevalence, perceptions and behaviors associated with traditional/complementary medicine use by breastfeeding women living in Macau: a cross-sectional survey study

T/CM

N (% of total users) reported the use

N (% of this user group) indicated this T/CM was effective

Common reasons for use (Number of respondents)

Specific to breastfeeding

Non-specific to breastfeeding

To unblock milk ducts

To increase milk supply

To reduce milk supply

To relieve breast and nipple pain

To improve the breastfed children’s development

To relieve depressive mood/ stress

To relieve sleeping problems

To improve skin conditions

To enhance energy level

Tetrapanax papyrifer

242 (77.3%)

62 (25.6%)

(154)

(83)

(1)

(4)

     

Lecithin

223 (71.2%)

54 (24.2%)

(187)

(27)

 

(7)

     

Vaccaria segetalis garcke

98 (31.3%)

17 (17.3%)

(26)

(62)

(2)

(1)

    

(1)

Docosahexaenoic acid

98 (31.3%)

23 (23.5%)

 

(1)

  

(75)

(1)

 

(3)

(2)

Trigonella foenum-graecum

95 (30.4%)

19 (20%)

(6)

(84)

       

Omega 3 fatty acids (Fish oil)

63 (20.1%)

13 (20.6%)

(4)

(3)

  

(39)

(1)

 

(7)

 

Fructus Hordei Germinatus

55 (17.6%)

6 (10.9%)

(1)

(2)

(50)

(1)

     

Semen Sojae Preparatum

53 (16.9%)

4 (7.5%)

(1)

 

(49)

   

(1)

  

Fructus liquidambaris

53 (16.9%)

13 (24.5%)

(33)

(12)

 

(2)

  

(1)

  

Taraxacum officinale

38 (12.1%)

9 (23.7%)

(13)

(3)

(2)

(9)

(1)

 

(2)

 

(1)