Pregnancy and Herbs
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Herbal Remedies (p. 44 - 51)
by Frankie Avalon Wolfe
Herbs can support an easier pregnancy by helping alleviate morning sickness, mood swings, leg cramps, hemorrhoids, constipation, and anemia. They can also be used for nourishing and strengthening the body to support a growing, healthy fetus.
Some herbs are best to used to prepare your body before pregnancy. Then there are herbs you can use to support your body and the future health of your child during gestation; many of these herbs will help enrich your breast milk during the nursing period. Finally, thank goodness, other herbs can help your body get back into shape again. And some herbs, of course, should be completely avoided during pregnancy.
Anemia
Anemia is a common problem during pregnancy. To avoid anemia, you will want to build a good red blood count before pregnancy. Herbs that can help are rich in iron and include dark green drinks, such as liquid cholorophyll or wheat grass juice. Others are not necessarily green but also are rich in organic iron; these include yellow dock, dandelion, and nettle leaves.
Varicose veins
Varicose veins are another pregnancy related condition and can be helped by using bilberry and rose hips, which will help to strengthen blood capillaries. These herbs will also aid if you are suffering from hemorrhoids.
Bones
We all know that calcium helps build strong bones and teeth, and calcium is a mineral that helps in bone growth during fetal development. Many believe that we need to drink milk to receive calcium. If this is so, then how do you think the cows produce all that excess calcium-rich milk and maintain those strong bones and hoofs without drinking cow's milk throughout their life? That's right - the grass! The green plants provide much usable calcium for the body!
Calcium rich herbs safe for pregnancy include alfalfa, liquid chlorophyll, fennel, parsley, horsetail, and oatstraw.
Nausea or Morning Sickness
Let's take a look at some common symptoms and their herbal solutions.
Red raspberry is an herb that strengthens the uterus and reproductive organs and can even enhance fertility. Red raspberry tea can be sipped during pregnancy and has helped many moms to overcome nausea. Red Raspberry also tones uterus and reproductive organs.
One of the best herbal remedies for nausea or morning sickness during pregnancy is ginger root. Used as a spice for many Indian dishes, ginger also can be taken in a tea or capsules, and some people even like the taste enough to purchase candied ginger for nibbling. Ginger is a restorative herb, which means that it activates the body to bring it into balance.
Constipation
Some moms get constipated during pregnancy, because the same hormone that maintains the pregnancy also decreases the movement of the bowel. One of the safest herbs you can use for constipation during pregnancy is psyllium hulls, or psyllium husk. It is a fiber that sweels in water and that acts as a intestinal broom, picking up and sweeping away debris from the colon.
Push, Push - Herbs for a Smoother Delivery
The proper use of herbs will assist you through the entire birthing process. A combination used by many moms in daily small doses, five weeks before the due date is a mixture of black cohosh, squawvine, dong quai, butcher's broom, and red raspberry. Moms who have tried it attest that the combination supported the uterus to carry to full term, prevented premature births, helped with the pain of child birth, and decreased blood loss during and after delivery. Search oth this combination or have an herbalist mix you up a batch. Consult your doctor of midwife before beginning to take this combination.
Breast feeding
Herbs you can add to enrich breast milk include nettle leaves, spirulina (rich in chlorophyll, amino acids, and enzymes), and alfalfa. Don't forget - LOTS AND LOTS of WATER!!
Avoid
Some of the more common herbs that should be avoided during pregnancy or when nursing:
Caffeine-containing herbs
Aloe vera
American ginseng
Angelica
Arnica
Barberry
Butcher's broom
Castor bean
Cayenne
Cedar barries
Chamomile (can cause bleeding)
Golden seal
Hyssop
Juniper berries
Licorice root
Myrrh
Oregon grape
Peppermint
Rosemary
Safflower
St. John's wort
Sage Sassafras
Senna
Flax
Please be aware that this is just a partial list and includes herbs that are not recommended to be taken in large dosages as dietary supplements during pregnancy on a regular basis. Some of these herbs may stimulate the uterus into action, which can cause miscarriage. Herbs used occasionally as a seasoning should not be a problem.
A Childish Look at Herbs for kids (p. 53)
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