Breast enlargement supplements and pills are more often than not portrayed as being a natural way to increase breast size. It has often also been suggested that they are risk-free. The popularity of breast-enhancing supplements stems from their heavy promotion toward women. Though there has been some historical folklore about using herbs for breast enhancement, there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of any breast enlargement supplement. At times, testimonies by companies have been doctored. In the United States, both the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission have taken legal action against the manufacturers of these products for fraudulent practices. The Mayo Clinic suggests that there may be dangerous drug interactions with their use.

Types and ingredients

Breast-enlargement products generally contain several ingredients of a fungal origin or from plants. The compounds that are claimed to be pharmacologically active are usually estrogen mimics (called xenoestrogens, known explicitly as phytoestrogens in plants and mycoestrogens in fungi). Some of the commonly used ingredients include:

1. Barley
2. Black cohosh
3. Dong Quai
4. Fennel
5. Fenugreek
6. Hops
7. Kava
8. Oats
9. Pueraria Mirifica
10. Zearalenone

Efficacy and safety

There is improper and inadequate empirical as well as scientific study about whether herbal and natural breast enhancement can be safely and successfully achieved. It is highly unlikely that the common ingredients would be effective. No randomised, blinded, and fully controlled tests have been performed to examine any of the breast enhancement supplements. Most of the ingredients that are used do not have significant adverse effects, but some of them are potentially dangerous for consumption or use.

In the United States, herbal products(Must Watch) are typically sold under GRAS rules (Generally Recognised As Safe) and are not approved.

Some naturally occurring compounds produced by fungi and plants can subject people to serious health risks. One of the potential risks is an increased risk of breast cancer. Some ingredients included in supplements are carcinogenic such as Don Quai. Moreover, by altering the body’s hormonal levels, some ingredients such as zearalenone may reduce fertility. Kava, another ingredient, may lead to liver damage. Black cohosh has been seen to have no estrogenic effect in vivo or in vitro fertilisation. Zearalenone and its derivatives, a class of xenoestrogens, are associated with many herbal breast-enhancement products. Zearalenone, produced by a toxic fungus, stimulates the growth of breast cancer cells, increases the chance of estrogen-dependent breast cancer, and may reduce fertility.