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HERBAL FRIENDS FOR THE MAMA-TO-BE 

12/22/2015

17 Comments

 
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​When looking at herbal aids in the time of pregnancy, it is easy to feel somewhat daunted. There are many different plants that can be used for the different stages or ailments that occur before, during, and after pregnancy.

To give you an idea of the many benefits herbs can have during pregnancy, I will briefly touch on one great herb ally per momentous stage in pregnancy.
PREGNANCY FRIEND: STINGING NETTLE
Nettle is one of the best herbs for pregnancy. It’s known throughout the Wise Woman Tradition as a nourishing herb, which means it can be safely used every day and it doesn’t have any known side effects.

Some of the benefits of nettle during pregnancy are:
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  1. Aids with pain in the muscles and joints during and after pregnancy, thanks to its high level of calcium. 
  2. Nourishes and tonifies the blood and the vascular system. 
  3. Strengthens arterial elasticity and aids in hypertension, in some cases reducing the risk and severity of problems such as preeclampsia that may appear later in pregnancy.
  4. Contains hemoglobin and vitamin K, which are known to reduce the risk of hemorrhage postpartum.
  5. It can be used as an ally in the time of breast milk production, increasing the richness and quantity of the milk that is produced.​
The easiest and most delicious way to consume nettles daily is in an infusion such as tea. They can also be used in blends with or in place of other prenatal helpers such as red raspberry leaf, oatstraw, comfrey, or red clover.

My favorite blend is nettle, red raspberry leaf, and field mint tea in the morning with breakfast. It tastes amazing and can enliven the day and even ease morning nausea when enjoyed with food.
LABOR FRIEND: MOTHERWORT
A plant ally that has been used in many various forms throughout labor is Motherwort. The name says it all. Some of its benefits are:

  1. Known as a tonic herb, which is generally taken to help in balancing energy and function in the body.
  2. Great ally for the nervous system when emotions or stress are high, as they can sometimes be during labor! It has been known to calm extreme emotions without causing drowsiness, and reduce the pain of labor.
  3. Used by many midwives as a calming uterine tonic to prevent hemorrhage, and to prevent the onset of shock when taken immediately postpartum.

Motherwort should be taken cautiously as it has been known to increase bleeding in some cases of high dosage.
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For best results and easier dosage tracking, it can be taken in tincture form.
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Photo from Nettles and Chickweed Tumblr.
POSTPARTUM FRIEND: COMFREY
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Photo from Alex Wrekk blog.
Comfrey is another nourishing herb and can be taken in many forms.
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  1. Comfrey has been known to be excellent in repairing damaged and torn skin cells, and in softening engorged tissue.
  2. Many women use it in sitz baths postpartum to aid in the repair and discomfort of a torn perineum or episiotomy.
  3. Comfrey has also been known to reduce pain and swelling in the breast and to provide comfort to chapped nipples while breastfeeding.
  4. It can also be used on baby to ease forms of diaper rash, skin irritation, or umbilicus.
A good way to get the external benefits of comfrey is to make an infused oil with the plant, that can be used in its oil form or in the form of a salve or ointment.

Herbal allies have many varying benefits and should be used in conjunction with the intuition and advice of a knowledgeable source.

The Red Thread Apothecary is a great resource in Olympia if you want to learn more about plants, and Radiance is a wonderful place to buy bulk herbs! 

If you would like to do more reading about this subject, I recommend you check out “Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year,” by Susun Weed.

I encourage you all to do your own exploration, and always to follow what moves you.
- Brynnley Hoffman
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Brynnley Hoffman
is an herbalist, healer, and birth practitioner from Salt Lake City, Utah. She is currently working on building her business as a doula and wise woman healer and is working on starting up her blog.


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17 Comments
natasha
12/23/2015 11:42:50 am

This is an excellent resource for pregnant women, I know it can be hard to figure out what herbs are good/bad in pregnancy!

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Liz link
12/23/2015 11:51:53 am

What a wonderful resource thank you for this!

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Jillian
12/23/2015 12:31:14 pm

Great information! Thanks for sharing!

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Camille Kelsch
10/26/2021 12:54:07 pm

Brynnley,

I am trying to find out if my women's tea is safe to drink in early pregnancy(possibly pregnant)? I make it myself with red raspberry, alfalfa, comfrey, oatstraw, shavegrass (horsetail), and nettle. I got the recipe years ago from a midwife. I am very low on iron and I have lost about 3/4 of my hair in the last year. My hair is very thin and dry most of the time. I started eating only healthy foods and fats and have given up sugar, processed foods, and fast foods. I was drinking this tea off and on, and couldn't figure out why my hair would all the sudden get super soft and feel stronger with less fall out. I'm wondering if it was this tea, and really want to drink at least a quart a day to up my iron levels and hopefully help my hair as well. It is Oct. 26, 2021, so hopefully you see this message asap. Thanks for any advice you can give. I am in Ogden, by the way.

Camille

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3/7/2022 01:18:48 pm

Great Post. Thanks for sharing

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3/9/2022 04:40:04 am

Thank you for sharing this informative Article! It is very useful to everyone. Stay healthy and keep safe!

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3/15/2022 07:18:27 am

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1/30/2023 08:27:02 am

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Lisa
4/6/2023 11:33:39 pm

Love this information! I'm curious for some more information though, if possible. I'm 15 weeks and everything I've read shows nettle is potentially unsafe - I'm not sure if this is a blanket statement (which they use for basically everything - super frustrating) that it MAY cause contractions stimulating menstruation. Even the ayruveda specialists were 'on the fence'.

As the insomnia hits, and I'm struggling with a cold I'm looking for experience from someone in the field for healthy, herbal options for me and my babe. All your points on its merits lines up with what I've researched from those same sources.

Appreciate any light you can shed on that and looking forward to using your other recommendations when that time comes!

- Confused first-time Mom

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    Marissa Rivera Bolaños is a doula and visual artist with a passion to create change around the way our culture approaches women's health.

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