實證探討蒲公英對於產後婦女乳房腫脹之改善

An Empirical Study of the Effects of Using Dandelion to Improve Breast Engorgement in Postpartum Women

背景：乳房腫脹是產後婦女常見的症狀，且為影響成功哺乳的重要原因之一。方法：本文應用電子資料庫檢索搜尋以蒲公英緩解產後乳房腫脹的相關文獻。搜尋到四篇以產後婦女乳房腫脹為實驗對象，且為採隨機對照試驗文獻。結果：以蒲公英鮮品搗爛外敷乳房或是煎湯內服的實驗組，其乳房腫脹疼痛分級緩解降低、乳房硬度分度改善與泌乳量較多與對照組相比有統計學上顯著差異。結論：蒲公英外敷或內服為中醫世代傳承治療急性乳腺炎的經驗方，蒲公英外敷法具非侵入性且操作簡單，能改善產後婦女乳房充盈脹痛的問題。藉此研究可提供臨床護理人員具實證性的輔助療法選擇，提升照護品質。 Background: Breast engorgement is a common symptom experienced by breast feeding women; it is also one of the important factors in determining successful breast feeding. Methods: This study retrieved articles related to the use of dandelion to relieve postpartum breast engorgement in a digital database. Results revealed four articles consisting of randomized controlled trials using postpartum women suffering from breast engorgement as test subjects. Results: After reviewing the results of the literature, by either applying fresh crushed dandelion on the breast or taking an oral dandelion decoction in the test group, a significant statistical difference was found in the aspects of relieving breast swelling and pain level, improving breast hardness level and increasing milk production when comparing with the controlled group. Conclusions: Applying or ingesting dandelion is a herbal formula passed down for generations in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from experience when treating acute mastitis. Applying dandelion is non-invasive and easy to perform method; it relieves problems of breast swelling and pain in postpartum women. This study provides clinical nursing personnel with empirical adjuvant therapy options, which in turns improves the quality of care.