Herbs for pregnancy

DURING PREGNANCY

1.MORNING SICKNESS

Ginger

Relieves morning sickness (nausea). Ginger helps relieve nausea, reduce vomiting, and calms the stomach.

   Sip 1 Tbsp of the tea (but not more than that) whenever nausea occurs. Or take 6 capsules of the powdered herb daily. It combines well with wild yam, which also reduces morning sickness.

   Caution: Do NOT take during the last trimester (last 3 months). This is because ginger increases risk of postpartum (after delivery) infection.

Peppermint tea

Relieves morning sickness, prevents vomiting.

Peppermint is an old standby for relieving nausea and upset stomach, and preventing vomiting.

Sip the tea whenever needed.

   Other dietetic aids to reduce morning sickness; catnip or spearmint tea, digestive enzymes, green drink, alfalfa. Bet plenty of B₆ and complex. Take 2 ginger capsules before each meal.

   Avoid irritating food, hot spicy foods, and condiments. Baking soda, fatty, fried, oily foods, caffeine, sugar. Do not lie down right after eating.

   Maintain regularity in sleep, eating, and outdoor exercise.

 

Dandelion

Put 4-6 Tbsp dried dandelion root in 1 quart boiling water and steep for 4 hours. Strain, cool, drink slowly throughout the day (up to 2 cups). Or take 30 drops of undiluted tincture 3-4 times a day until nausea is gone. It calms and strengthens the stomach, and improves appetite.

2.ANEMIA

Yellow dock

Yellow dock is almost 50% iron. Pregnant women need extra iron; yet iron tablets can be extremely dangerous! It can cause miscarriage. Obtain iron from natural sources only! Blackstrap molasses is the richest natural source of iron. Red beets are helpful. Vitamin C (500 mg) helps absorption of iron in the diet. Vitamin E (600 IU) strengthens blood cells.

3.INCREASE CALCIUM ABSORPTION

Kale

Calcium builds strong bones in both mother and child. It also calms the nerve and reduces pain.

The deep green leafy vegetables are excellent sources of calcium and most vitamins and minerals.

4.INDIGESTION OR HEARTBURN

Meadowsweet

Take 15-45 drops of tincture diluted in a bit of water 1-4 times a day. Find the amount which works best for you. Or put a heaping tablespoon in a cup, pour 1 cup boiling water over it, steep for 20 minutes, strain, cool, and drink 3-4 cups daily. Sip this slowly. It is a good digestive aid.

 

5.CONSTIPATION

Slippery elm bark

This invaluable herb reduces constipation, soothes the digestive system and irritated bowels, and is an antacid. It is safe herb to take during pregnancy for constipation.

   Take 1 teaspoon of the powder with hot water and honey. Or swallow 6 capsules daily, as needed.

   Eat raw vegetables and fruits daily. Also helpful is brewer’s yeast and psyllium seed. If bran is taken, it should be accompanied by a large glass of water or the bran will cause further constipation.

6.SWELLING

Peppermint

Drink peppermint or spearmint tea with the juice of a fresh lemon.

7.EDEMA

Corn silk

Make a tea of this outstanding diuretic herb and drink it as needed.

 

8.VARICOSE VEINS

Witch hazel

Varicose veins are by increased pressure in the abdomen, and will normally disappear after the baby is delivered.

   Witch hazel (or white oak bark) tea, applied externally, will help tighten the tissue and reduce varicose veins. Saturate a cloth in the tea and wipe it on varicosities, which may be in the legs, vulva, and/or near the rectum. Also drink a quart of nettle leaf each day.

   Other helps include eating lots of green leafy vegetables, garlic, and onions. Keep the bowels moving regularly, avoid crossing your legs. If necessary, wear elastic stockings. In some cases, taking 1 tablet of stone root, 3 times daily, helps. Discontinue if there is no improvement within 2 weeks.

Bilberry

This is the European blueberry. It contains flavonoid compounds, known as anthocyanosides, which greatly improves circulation in the smaller blood vessels. Research studies (using an extract standardized for 25% anthocyanidin content at dosage of 160-480 mg daily) show that they prevent and treat varicose veins during pregnancy.

Horse chest nut

In addition to daily exercise, take 5-15 drops of tincture diluted in ¼ cup of water 2-3 times a day. Do this during first trimester, to reduce varicose veins.

9.BLADDER INFECTION

Uva ursi

Take uva ursi tablets 1 week at the most (if taken longer, uterine contractions could be stimulated). Drink cranberry juice. Avoid sweets, coffee, black tea, cola drinks and panties not made of cotton. Echinacea, taken for no more than a week at a time, may also help reduce infection.

10.HYPERTENSION

Hawthorn berry

This herb reduces hypertension during pregnancy by dilating the blood vessels and strengthening the heart. Take 8 drops of the tincture, 2 or 3 times daily. Do not take hawthorn berries if you have low blood pressure.

11.TOXEMIA

Herbmix

Alfalfa tea (mixed with red raspberry and comfrey) is cleansing and nourishing. Both to avoid and eliminate toxemia during pregnancy, you need fresh vegetables. Kelp, dandelion and alfalfa is another good combination. Avoid meat, white flour and white sugar products. Add more vitamins A and C to your diet.

 

12.AVOID MISCARRIAGE

black haw

Black haw root bark (also called cramp bark) is an astringent which increases the tone and firmness of the uterine tissues. Women, who in the past have had repeated miscarriages, would do well to take black haw when miscarriage threatens. It will help prevent premature labor. This herb was listed in 19^th century pharmacy reference books as a treatment for painful menstrual cramps and threatened miscarriage. It reduces the discomforts of pregnancy and soothes the uterus. Drink 1-2 cups of tea daily and then, after symptoms cease, drink the tea for an additional 2 weeks.

   Because it decreases excessive menstrual flow, black haw is also good for PMS. When needed, drink 3 or 4 cups of the tea daily. It will stop contractions.

False unicorn

This herb is a specific for threatened abortion. It increases the muscle tone of the uterus and related organs. Take 3-4 drops of the tincture 4-5 times daily during the first trimester.

Formulas

Here is a suggested formula to prevent miscarriage:

Mix tinctures : 20 drops black haw, and 10 drops each of wild yam and false unicorn root. Add water or juice, and drink 2-4 times a day. If spotting occurs, take it every 2 hours until spotting stops.

   Another formula to prevent miscarriage; Mix 2 Tbsp lemon balm (Melissa) and partridge berry leaves, and stinging nettle leaves. Steep in a quart of boiling water. Drink 1-3 cups a day.