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Post by Michelle on Dec 14, 2008 4:08:37 GMT -6
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Post by Michelle on Dec 14, 2008 4:08:49 GMT -6
Herbs Which May Be Beneficial: Red Raspberry (antiemetic, astringent, laxative, tonic) The leaves of red raspberry are often considered useful for making “Pregnancy Tea.” Red Raspberry used reasonably can help with pregnancy sickness, help prevent miscarriage, reduce the chances of uterine hemorrhage, reduce labor pains and aid in increasing milk. A tea may be made by simmering a handful of the dried leaves in a quart of pure water for about 20 minutes. A small amount of spearmint can be added for better flavor. The following recipe can be mixed then made one cup at a time.
Pregnancy Tea • 10 parts red raspberry • 5 parts blackberry • 1 part cinnamon
1 teaspoon to 1/2 cup water
Yellow Dock (alterative, astringent, laxative, nutritive) Yellow Dock is high in IRON and therefore excellent for anemia. It does not constipate as most iron pills can do. It works best combined with other iron-rich herbs such as Alfalfa, Dandelion and Nettles. It is a blood purifier.
TEA: up to 3 cups daily TINCTURE: 5 - 30 drops 3 times daily POWDER: 5 - 10 #0 caps daily
Alfalfa (alterative, nutritive, antipyretic, diuretic, tonic) NUTRIENT, blood purifier, fever reducer, source of calcium, magnesium, vitamins K & P, potassium, phosphorus.
TEA: 3 cups daily TINCTURE; 5 - 15 drops 3 times daily POWDER: 5 - 10 caps 3 times daily
Dandelion (aperient, cholagogue, diuretic, tonic, stomachic) Good for jaundice, gallstones, fever, insomnia, and constipation. Good source of iron.
Nettles (astringent, diuretic, galatagogue, hemostatic, tonic) Promotes the flow of milk. Good for urinary tract problems and calcium deficiency.
Which cleansing herbs are too strong or irritating? Arnica Barberry Bee Balm Black walnut Blessed thistle Catnip Chapparal Chicory Colsfoot Comfrey Ephedra Fenugreek Gentian Horehound Horsetail Ipecac Juniper berries Lobelia Oregon grape root Poke root Rhubarb root Rosemary Uva ursi Yarrow
Which laxative herbs are too strong to use at this time? Aloe vera Buckthorn Butternut Cascara sagrada
Which herbs that affect hormones are contraindicated during pregnancy? Borage Damiana Dong quai Licorice Sarsparilla Siberian ginseng Vitex (can be used the first trimester)
Which herbs bring on contractions or bleeding? Angelica Birthwort (bethwort) Black cohosh (may be used in the last 2 weeks of pregnancy) Blue cohosh (may be used in the last 2 weeks of pregnancy) Cotton root Elecampane Fenugreek Feverfew Goldenseal Horehound Lovage Mistletoe Motherwort Mugworts Myrrh Osha Parsley Pennyroyal Rue Sage Tansy Thuja Thyme Turmeric Wormwood
Herbs for Birth and Labor * Blue cohosh and black cohosh are two herbs that work synergistically to bring on labor (but do not use them before the last two weeks of pregnancy). During labor they can make contractions more efficient in a long, stalled labor, and help the uterus clamp down after birth. * Raspberry leaf (tea or tincture) is one of the best uterine tonic herbs to prepare uterine muscles for an efficient labor. Its astringent action slows bleeding and helps to expel the placenta. Have the tea on hand or make raspberry tea ice cubes to suck on during labor.
Many herbs can help ease the pain of contractions: * Crampbark can be used for uterine cramping during labor, and after birth to eliminate after birth cramping pains. * Scullcap and catnip relieve pain, as well as calm and relax the body. * Chamomile helps control pain during labor by relieving tension.
Other herbs help with emotional balance during labor: * Motherwort is one of the best herbs to give immediate emotional balance during the ups and downs of labor, but it may increase uterine bleeding. * Rescue Remedy, a Bach flower remedy, is excellent for bringing one quickly into focus when under stress or shock during a difficult labor. It can also be put on the baby's forehead or wrist after a stressful birth. * A massage oil, enhanced with herbs, will relax the muscles and ease back labor pain. Use relaxing, aromatic herbs such as chamomile, rose, and lavender. Rubbed on the perineum, it helps prevent tearing as the baby crowns and ease swelling and burning. * Essential oils in a mister can give clarity and focus. Clary Sage gives a sense of well being and combats mental fatigue. During birth it helps focus breathing and calm anxiety. Geranium essential oil balances emotions and works well for perineal massage, as it stimulates circulation. Lavender is calming and strengthening, relieving depression and irritability. Citrus essential oils are clean, refreshing and uplifting. Be sure that essential oils are used in a carrier oil or mister and not applied directly to or on the skin. * Shepherd's Purse tincture is the best herb to quickly stop postpartum hemorrhaging. Every midwife should have it with her in case an emergency situation arises. * After the birth, use a sitz bath to soak the perineum, heal any tears, shrink swelling, and slow bleeding. It helps the perineum to heal quickly, and makes walking more comfortable. Herbs to use include yarrow, uva ursi, witch hazel, Shepherd's purse, and garlic. * Fill a plastic squirt bottle with a strong herbal tea of these herbs to squirt on your perineum as you urinate to lessen any burning and heal tears. * Homeopathic arnica pills, taken every few hours for several days after the birth, help reduce bruising and swelling of the perineal tissue. Be sure you are taking arnica internally only in homeopathic form, as arnica tincture prevents clotting and should not be taken internally.
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