Mother Earth Sundries
Home |   spacerCart |   Checkout |   My Account |   Contact Us    


CATEGORIES

Shopping Cart
Quantity: 0
Total($): $0.00

HERBAL HARMONIES
Herbal Harmonies
General Health
Women's Health
Pregnancy, Birth & Breastfeeding
Herbs
Aromatherapy
Links

  Herbs for Pregnancy, Birth & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy provides the perfect time to focus on wellness. A nutritious diet with plenty of fresh (organic if possible) fruits, vegetables, and whole grains reducing junk foods and highly processed "low nutrition" foods. Adding regular exercise, relaxation, and life style adjustments seem easier when this new little person is depending on you.

Herbal remedies can be very helpful in relieving many pregnancy concerns but, no all herbs are useful or safe during pregnancy.

The following information will help you select safe and effective herbs for pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding:

Herbs for Extra Nutrition (steep for 5-10 minutes, drink 1-2 cups a day)
Nettle, alfalfa, strawberry leaf, red raspberry leaf

For Early Pregnancy (nausea & vomiting) - as teas or capsules
Ginger, peppermint

Prevention of Early Miscarriage
Black haw tincture

Pregnancy Constipation
Flax seed meal - 1-2 tablespoons per day with 8-10 oz water.

Stretch Marks
Calendula oil or ointment
Shea butter

Skin and Soul Soothing Pregnancy Belly Massage
2 oz. base oil (olive, sweet almond)
20 drops lavender
20 drops sandalwood
Mix well and massage abdomen 1-2 times daily

Muscle or Ligament Pain
Valerian tea or capsules arnica oil massage

Insomnia
Chamomile, lemon balm or catnip teas 1/2 to 1 hour before bedtime
Ylang ylang oil diffused in the air or sprayed on the bed linens

Stress or Anxiety
St. Johns Wort - Capsules or tincture
Daily relaxation practice
Massage with Lavender Oil or add 5-6 drops of Lavender to a bath

Herbs which help prepare and ready the cervix for labor (use only on or after your due date and working with your caregiver)
Blue cohosh tincture
Abdominal massage with 20 drops clary sage essential oil in 1 oz. base oil
Evening primrose oil (2 - 500 mg capsules twice daily) can be started at 36-37 weeks to ready the cervix

Healing of the perineum after birth


Sitz baths of comfrey, calendula, marshmallow
Aloe compresses or applying gel to area
For bruising - oral homeopathic arnica montana

Postpartum Mood Imbalances
St. Johns Wort capsules or tincture
Rescue Remedy - homeopathic remedy
Diffused oils of lavender, ylang ylang, clary sage or rose geranium

Building Milk Supply (as teas or capsules)
Fennel seed, fenugreek, blessed thistle, nutritive teas, alfalfa, goats rue

Sore Nipples
Rose water in olive oil
Calendula infusion dabbed on nipples 3-4 times daily
Black tea - moistened tea bags applied to the nipples after feedings, 2-3 times daily

Engorgement
Raw green cabbage leaves applied to the breasts until milk begins to drip, 2-3 times a day
Hot and/or cold compresses of parsley or elder blossoms
Peppermint massage oil (20 drops of peppermint essential oil in 1 oz olive oil). Do not apply to nipples.

Mastitis
Echinacea - capsules or tinctures
Garlic - fresh - 1 clove a day for 2-3 days
Propolis tincture

Herbs Not Recommended for Breastfeeding

  • Kava Kava
  • Sage Tea
  • Peppermint Tea
  • Goldenseal
  • Cascara
  • Ephedra
  • Aloe (internal)
  • Uva Ursi
  • Black Walnut

 
© 2010  Mother Earth Sundries     Website Design by WEBSOURCE LLC, Dayton Ohio