Herbs and Your Pregnancy Part One: Herbs, barks and roots are medicine. As such is especially good to be aware of what herbs heal and help and which ones harm. Today I would like to do a focus on the more helpful of the herbs, barks and roots which help to alleviate the symptoms of pregnancy. Anyone who has ever been pregnant knows the pains, the discomforts, the mood swings and the nausea that accompanies this miracle of life, and especially those who find themselves suddenly without medical therapy which they have taken to level out their own physical and mental needs in life. Often times pain killers, anxiety medication and stomach issues. Because of this one finds that their body becomes almost rebellious - making the pregnancy a more uncomfortable and terrifying experience than it could be. Luckily there are solutions to this. What I want to go over today are the herbs which may be used for everything from water retention to the depression associated with carrying a child through the 40 weeks of gestation. Putting the right elements into this crucible of life are so important for the development of the heart, body and soul of you and your child. The First Trimester and Herbs Basil, used as a minor pain killer, Basil is the perfect herb to add to a tea mix or to a meal to help with gastric distress. Do not overuse - but the same can be said of almost any herb matter. Basil is safe for any of the three trimesters of development. Black Haw is to be used with caution and in small amounts but is used in all trimesters of pregnancy to prevent miscarriage. However, on the flip side of this coin it can also cause miscarriage if used in too high amounts. DO NOT USE BLACK HAW IF YOU ARE ONLY A BEGINNER TO WORTCUNNING. IT IS AN HERB TO BE ADMINISTERED WITH CAUTION BY AN ADVANCED HERBALIST OR GREEN WITCH! Black Haw is useful for leg cramps, for toning the uterus and may be used in a larger dose to aide in labour and delivery as well as to tighten the uterus after birth. It is useful for high blood pressure situations as well as hypotension within women. It is a sedative, so do not use if you need to operate heavy machinery. Chamomile is a pregnant womans best friend: not only does it help to ease the mind and help one to sleep, but it also helps with nausea and - when drank warm rather than hot with a splash of lemon - it becomes an energy booster which also aids in alleviating morning sickness. On top of that, its anti inflammatory nature helps to relieve the aches and pains of the day. Avoid high doses, but a cup or two a day will help you to feel better. Remember: When hot it makes one sleepy, when warm with lemon it wakes you up and when cold avoid due to purgative effects. Chamomile may be used throughout ones pregnancy safely so long as one does not exceed more than 3 cups a day. Chaste Tree bark may be used before pregnancy to prepare the body for it as well as during the first two trimesters to help with prolactin levels in the blood stream and endocrine system. As an added bonus it also helps prevent calcification of the pituitary gland causing the mind and natural energy to function better. Clivers are a herb rich in Vitamin C with an amazing diuretic affect making it perfect for water retention, for prevention of UTIs and skin conditions which may arise during your pregnancy. Not only are they delicious, but they make an amazing tea which helps with restful sleep and even the symptoms of cold and flu making clivers an invaluable ally in this time. Cocoa is a surprising one to most women as it does contain caffeine, but the amount is far far less from a cup of coffee which should be avoided altogether as coffee increases risk of a miscarriage by over 50%. Instead, a cup of cocoa once a day or once a week can be beneficial. This single cup has the power to increase oxygen and nutritional absorption in the unborn child while also calming the nerves of the mother to be. It aides in coughs and restlessness as well as insomnia when combined with milk and honey. It lowers blood pressure, helps prevent weight gain and headaches during pregnancy all while tasting delicious! Cramp Bark is used for the uncomfortable cramping which occurs during pregnancy. It is also useful for menstruation and general stomach cramps, but truly shows its power during the time of gestation. On top of this Cramp Bark has a useful side effect of being a calmative to the nerves for anxiety. As an antispasmodic it can actually help with preventing miscarriage and is considered one of the best herbs to use in this time. Dandelion Leaf and Root are also amazing things in this time: not only have there been entire books dedicated to the benefits of both parts of this amazing plant but it is also one of the easiest to obtain - and trust me, no one ever objects to you removing dandelions from their yards so long as you ask first.Not only is it rich in minerals and nutrients, but as a tincture it can decrease constipation, oxidize your blood, and also help with anemia reactions which may occur. It lowers blood pressure and edema. In the case of edema it helps with water retention in the feet and ankles. Grinding up the dried roots and infusing it will create a tonic especially useful for this purpose. Echinacea is an immuno booster that works for both you and your unborn child. Combined with ginger and clivers, this herb makes a pregnancy safe cold remedy which cannot be beat. False Unicorn Root, like Cramp Bark, is one of the most ancient herbs used in tonics for pregnancy. Not only does it tone the uterus, but it helps to prevent miscarriage. If applied by a wortcunner of knowledge it has even been known to stop miscarriages in its tracks. It regulates hormones helping with mood swings and faintness while also helping with digestion and cleansing the blood. If taking I would recommend taking it in capsule form as it is very, very bitter and is difficult to sweeten. Fennel Seed is used by some for constipation, stomach aches and gastric distresses, but I give this with some caution, for fennel is also used for aiding in menstruation and overuse of it may lead to complications. Use sparingly. Ginger - like fennel - may be used in small amounts for nausea, but has a history of miscarriage. Use with caution!! A cup or two of ginger ale in times of dire distress though is recommended. Hawthorn is commonly used to regulate blood pressure and has many benefits for the heart, but it is also useful for anxiety and muscle spasms making it effective for the cramps associated with pregnancy. All in all hawthorn is great for helping with your circulation in this time. Lemon Balm is useful for aiding in headaches, relieving nausea and as an aide to calm the mind. Nettles were mentioned in our first chapter of this series as a rich source of nutrients, and as an herb this goes even deeper. Nettles have a lot of calcium, iron and protein useful for the development of a child. It is an energy booster that, when taken as a tea, also helps with hemorrhoids, with flushing the kidneys and helps with aches in the legs of mothers. Peppermint is useful for helping to calm the mind as well as for gastric issues and stomach aches. Use raw leaves rubbed on your temples to relieve headaches. It is especially helpful with morning sickness. Rose hips are a wonderful source of Vitamin C and are wonderful for increasing energy levels. Drink a cup in the mornings to help replace coffee in order to wake up in the mornings. Scullcap is one of the safest herbs that can be used, being one of the safest herbs to use with even young children and toddlers. It is useful for calming the nerves and to bring one peace. Strawberry Leaf is not as volatile as Raspberry and may be safely used in the first trimester to help with fevers and stomach problems. It helps to strengthen the uterine wall and to help the fetus anchor. It is a delicious and helpful tonic in the early stages of pregnancy. Wild Yam not only helps to relieve uterine pains in all of the trimesters, but it also helps with strengthening bones and the metabolizing of calcium in the body. At least 1 cup a week, or every two days can help this process along. Second Trimester Horsetail has a history of messing with diabetes, so use with caution if you suffer from this. It is however useful in preventing and aiding in UTIs as well as aiding in fluid retention. On top of this it is filled with calcium and silica, which helps to build strong bones in you and your child. Use in the second trimester in combination with Vitamin B1 to help level out thiamine levels. Lavender is an herb to be used with caution during pregnancy, but its effects cannot be denied. It is not only soothing, but it helps to relieve nausea. DO NOT USE THE OIL IN THIS TIME EXCEPT IN AROMATHERAPY! It is best taken in tea form in this time. Do not exceed 3 cups a day and do not use for more than 3 days at a time. Oatstraw makes a wonderful tea that can be used for stress and tension. Oatmeal aides in this as well, but lacks the magnesium that is found in the straw. On top of that it makes for a useful remedy for yeast infections either as a tea or as a douche. Psyllium is one of the best sources of fibre during pregnancy - its easy on the stomach and it helps relieve constipation. Red Raspberry Leaf is one of the most recommended herbs to use in this time and is definitely in my top five. Not only is it exceptionally good for you, but it also helps to nourish the uterus, helps prevents miscarriage. It is rich in iron, nutrients and vitamin while aiding in constipation and reducing complications leading into delivery. ONLY USE IN THE SECOND AND THIRD TRIMESTER! Slippery Elm is an herb to be used with some caution. As a tea or in capsule form it may be used to decrease vaginal itching, to improve the flow of fluids in the body and to alleviate heartburn. Use it in small amounts. Third Trimester and Delivery Black and Blue Cohosh may be shocking additions to this list, but they are safe to use in the delivery process, regulating contractions and allowing them to fall into a more natural rhythm with the human body and making the process far easier. It helps to expel the afterbirth at the end of a delivery and helps to regulate the menstruation cycles that will soon be starting again. Caraway eases labour and contractions as well as helps to stimulate the flow of milk in the mammalian glands in the breasts. It also helps with easing gas, heartburn and stomach ache in this time. Partridge Berry is the last herb of our list, used to tone and prepare the body for the delivery process. Use in the last month of pregnancy for the best results.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 05:41:32 +0000
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