Herbal Remedies for the Childbearing Year- Part One

Journeying into 2021, exploring herbalism has been my jam.

Did you know that the childbearing year is thirteen months in length? Your journey begins two months prior to conception, moving into nine months of pregnancy, and includes the two months following birth. The childbearing year touches every season, and is filled with rapid physical changes and fierce emotions.

As a devoted healer, birthkeeper, and herbal enthusiast, I have found that the majority of pregnancy related issues can be soothed through closer attention to nutrition. Morning sickness and mood swings can be symptoms of low blood sugar. Backaches, hypertension, and overwhelming contraction patterns often result from insufficient calcium. Varicose veins, hemorrhoids, constipation, skin discoloration, and anemias are evidence of lack of specific nutrients.

During pregnancy, you create the cells needed to form two additional pounds of uterine muscle, the nerves, bones, organs, muscles, glands, and skin of your fetus, several pounds of amniotic fluid, a placenta, and a fifty percent increase in your blood volume. You will also replace extra kidney and liver cells used to process the waste of two beings instead of one.

Wild foods and organically grown produce, grains, and herbs are the very best source of vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients needed during pregnancy.

There are specific herbs which are especially helpful in improving overall health and wellness during pregnancy. Some Mums grow or gather themselves, but if this is too overwhelming, there are many lovely apothecaries within the Seattle area where you can easily seek out and purchase at minimal cost. There are varying ways to incorporate herbal medicine within your daily ritual, the most popular being tea, or an herbal infusion. An infusion can be made using one ounce of dried herb in two to four cups of water and steeping for up to eight hours.

Through regular use, you have the ability to increase the supply of necessary minerals and vitamins, find more energy throughout the day, and strengthen your uterus. I do want to emphasize the importance of checking in with your Doctor or Midwife to determine when the appropriate time is to begin regular use before we move on. Every body is different and unique, and safe practice when implementing any new herb or supplement should be your very first step.

Once you have received the green light from your provider, I encourage you to explore the following list, and to start small, implementing one to two new remedies a week.

Red Raspberry Leaves

Brewed as a tea or infusion, red raspberry leaf is one of the safest, most widely used amongst all uterine/pregnancy herbs. This particular herb contains fragrine, an alkaloid which provides tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus. There is also a rich concentration of vitamins A, B, C, and E, calcium, iron, and many minerals, including phosphorus, and potassium. Drink a cup or two of raspberry leaf tea or infusion each day. Sipping the infusion before getting up in the morning or sucking on ice cubes made from the infusion increases the strength of this remedy.

Benefits of regular use may include:
Increased fertility in both men and women

Preventing miscarriage and hemorrhage

Easing morning sickness

Reducing pain during labor and post-birth

Allowing the contracting uterus to work more effectively which may make birth easier and faster

Assisting in breastmilk production due to high mineral content

Nettle Leaves

Nettles are some of the most nourishing herbs available to us. The list of vitamins and minerals particularly abundant include vitamins A, C, D and K, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and sulfur. Some parents alternate weeks of nettle and raspberry infusions- others drink raspberry until the last month and then switch to nettles to ensure significant amounts of vitamin K in the blood in preparation for birth.

Benefits of regular use may include:
Kidney support

Increased fertility in both men and women

Easing leg cramps and muscle spasms

Preventing hemorrhage post birth

Reducing hemorrhoids

Assisting in breastmilk production

Preventing Miscarriage

Black Haw root bark is regarded as an especially effective miscarriage preventative. Begin drinking one or two cups of tea or half a cup of an infusion daily as soon as you are pregnant. Black Haw is safe to use throughout your entire pregnancy.

False Unicorn root can be very helpful for those who have experienced repeated miscarriages. Use 3 drops in tincture form, four to five times daily, beginning a month before conception and continue through the first trimester.

Wild Yam root contains glycosides from which the body can produce the hormones progesterone and cortisone which are needed to maintain pregnancy. An infusion is the most potent remedy- drink two to four ounces every half hour for a threatened miscarriage. Results should be evident by the second dose.

Herbs for Pregnancy Discomfort

Morning Sickness

Making tea with peach tree leaves, or a peppermint or spearmint infusion first thing in the morning can be very helpful in combating nausea. I also suggest tablespoonful doses of ginger root tea for early morning queasiness. For severe nausea and vomiting, I recommend taking ginger root in capsule form.

Varicose Veins and Hemorrhoids

Oat straw as a tea or infusion is helpful in strengthening the capillaries- drink one to two cups daily.

Nettle as an infusion improves elasticity of the veins. Drink one cup per day throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

Parsley raw or as a tea is beneficial to the veins. Use in salads or drink half a cup of tea daily.

Comfrey or Yellow Dock root can be used as a salve to reduce hemorrhoid swelling, bleeding, and pain.

Plantain and Yarrow can be used as a salve for immediate hemorrhoid pain relief and shrinking within a few days.

Constipation

Bran taken with plenty of water can be extremely beneficial in loosening stool.

Fresh greens are laxative and rich in minerals.

 Amaranth, Lambs Quarter & Violet Leaves are especially recommended- cook with them or dry and make an infusion

Drink prune juice and eat prunes for gentle softening. Rhubarb, figs, and maple syrup also help in opening the bowels and relieving constipation.

Skin Discoloration

Otherwise known as “the mask of pregnancy” may appear as brownish patches on the forehead, upper lip, and/or cheeks, and can worsen considerably after exposure to sunlight.

St. John’s Wort can be frequently used as an oil for the face and will help to decrease discoloration.

Backache

The increasing weight of baby, movements of a body whose center of gravity has shifted, stress on the kidneys, and difficulty sitting and rising from the couch or bed all contribute to backaches throughout pregnancy. Painful aches can be relieved through exercise, mindful food selection, and wise use of herbs. Firm beds and hard chairs will support growing fetal weight and take pressure off the back. Attention to posture and regular exercise will help establish a new center of gravity. Herbs can help nourish and strengthen the kidneys.

Wheat Grass Juice is a bright green juice of the wheat sprouts containing a plentiful supply of nutrients needed to strengthen muscles, ease the nerves, and keep the spine flexible.

Nettle as an infusion is the ultimate remedy for toning and aiding the kidneys.

Comfrey provides every vitamin and mineral necessary to prevent backache. It is also rich in amino acids, the building blocks of protein, needed in plentiful supply for strong abdominal muscles and healthy babies.

Heartburn

Anise or Fennel Seed as a tea during or after meals to ease the stomach and gently assist digestion.

Slippery Elm for severe heartburn. Take a teaspoon of Slippery Elm powder mixed with honey. Or as a bark, this particular herb helps to neutralize stomach acid, soothe the stomach, and absorb intestinal gas.

Fatigue and Mood Swings

Hormonal changes and the added stress of varying discomforts explained above may cause extreme fatigue and emotional swings, especially during your final trimester. This is the perfect time to acknowledge and resolve your inner disharmonies, and to recreate your life as you work to create another life. Emotional changes are not to be avoided, but validated and valued. Use exercise, relaxation techniques, meditation, diet, and herbs to help improve your mood and energy levels.

Raspberry Leaf infusion helps to calm; add peppermint or spearmint for a lift in spirits and a renewed sense of energy.

Burdock, Blessed Thistle, and Sarsaparilla are bitter infusions which can be used occasionally to steady your emotions.

Motherwort Tincture calms without causing drowsiness. Try five drops in a glass of water to restore emotional balance.

Skullcap Tincture provides deep, refreshing sleep. Take up to thirty drops of a commercial tincture from dried plants, or five to fifteen drops of fresh plant tincture half an hour before you go to bed. An infusion of the dried plant nourishes and strengthens the nerves. Drink two cups daily for several months if your nerves are feeling exceptionally frayed.

As you work to grow your herbal pharmacy, begin simply. Start by using one herb at a time. Increase your knowledge through direct experience, experimentation, and reading. Learning to identify and utilize the wealth of plant medicine surrounding us is easy and incredibly beneficial for body, mind and spirit. Use the suggested remedies above as a gentle guide, and take what feels right for you.

In part two of this blog series we will dive deep into herbal remedies for the postpartum chapter- stay tuned!