Herbal Tonics During Pregnancy
Women ought to be maintaining good nutrition throughout their childbearing years. Sound nutrition is important not only during pregnancy but at the time of conception. During pregnancy nutrients are required to create the cells needed to form two extra pounds of uterine muscle, the nerves, bones, organs, muscles, glands and skin of the fetus, several pounds of amniotic fluid, a placenta and a 50 percent increase in blood volume. In addition, extra kidney and liver cells are needed to process the waste of’ two beings instead of one. The best way to get vitamins and minerals is by eating a varied diet of whole foods, one that includes an abundance of grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, food herbs, nuts, seeds, dairy and lean meats. Vitamins and minerals from foods tend to be well absorbed and assimilated, with little risk of overdose.Studies show that diets of pregnant women most often lack four vitamins (folic acid, B-6, D, and E) and four minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc).
Women in many cultures have used the following herbs for centuries to have a healthier pregnancy. Use these herbs in the gentlest way as hot Relaxing teas, capsules or tinctures. These herbs can easily be made into teas and incorporated into meals on a regular basis.
Herbal Tonics During Pregnancy
Here are the list of herbs that can be eaten as food during the pregnancy:
Red Raspberry (Rubus spp.)
It is an all-around excellent herb that has been used safely by people in North America and Europe for hundreds of years. Catherine Hunziker, owner of WishGarden Herbs and an instructor at the Rocky Mountain School of Botanical Medicine in Boulder, Colorado, calls it “the best all-around herb for a healthy pregnancy. It’s a nourishing, building herb that has an affinity for the reproductive system.” It is a uterine tonic, anti-abortive, and helps prevent infection. Aids in preventing cramps and anemia. Prevents excessive bleeding during and after labor and will facilitate the birth process by stimulating contractions.
Raspberry leaf infusion contains calcium in its most assimilable form. The rich concentration of vitamin C, the presence of vitamin E and the easily assimilated calcium and iron. Raspberry leaves also contain vitamins A and B complex and many minerals, including phosphorous and potassium.Assimilation is further enhanced by the presence of phosphorous and vitamins A and C in the raspberry leaves. This nutritive herb is rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins B, C, and E, and the alkaloid fragarine–the constituent that contributes to the plant’s potency as a pregnancy tonic. It increases fertility in men and women (especially when combined with red clover), tones the uterus, eases morning sickness, and assists in plentiful milk production. It contains fragrine, an alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus itself.
The whole plant is meant to be used, preferably eaten as a vegetable (in the case of dandelion greens or nettles) or in some cases taken as a tea or tincture. You can then drink one to two cups of tea a day every other day. Also, if your previous labor has been under three hours, red raspberry may be contraindicated.
To make a tea, add one to two tablespoons dried leaf per cup of boiling water and steep ten to 20 minutes. You may want to alternate red raspberry with other nutritive herbs such as nettles or combine it with other nourishing herbs.
Nettle (Urtica Dioca)
Nettles will guard against excessive bleeding as it has vitamin K in it; will improve kidney function and help prevent hemorrhoids. Nettle Infusion supplies calcium and phosphorous, vitamin A and the vital vitamin D, in a readily assimilable form. Urtica is one of the finest nourishing tonics known. It is reputed to have more chlorophyll than any other herb. The list of vitamins and minerals in this herb includes nearly every one known to necessary for human health and growth.
Nettles are rich in biochelated iron, calcium, and protein. Vitamins A, C, D and K, potassium, phosphorous, iron and sulphur are particularly abundant in nettles. The infusion is a dark green color approaching black. The taste is deep and rich. If you are blessed with a nettle patch near you, use the fresh plant as a pot herb in the spring.
Nettle strengthens the kidneys and adrenals, while it relieves fluid retention. Because nettle also supports the vascular system, it can prevent varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Postpartum, it increases breast milk. Nettle tea has a rich, green taste and can be mixed with other herbs. Cooked nettle is a mineral-rich substitute for spinach and an excellent side dish with a dash of lemon juice and sesame seeds. Try substituting nettle in lasagna. Pick it fresh from spring until mid summer, but be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin. Pick extra to freeze and have on hand for the winter months.
Some pregnant women alternate weeks of nettle and raspberry brews; others drink raspberry until the last month and then switch to nettles to insure large amounts of vitamin K in the blood before birth.
The benefits of drinking nettle infusion before and throughout pregnancy include nourishing and strengthening the kidneys, increasing fertility in men and women, nourishing the mother and the fetus, diminishing leg cramps and childbirth pain, preventing hemorrhage after birth, reducing hemorrhoids, and increasing the richness and amount of mother’s milk. Nettles should be picked prior to flowering to avoid bladder and kidney irritation. Although use as a tonic is considered safe in pregnancy, concentrated extracts of stinging nettles (such as used to treat hay fever) can act as an abortifacient.
Alfalfa
It is loaded with vitamins A, D, E, and K, eight digestive enzymes, and numerous trace minerals. It is particularly helpful in late pregnancy because the vitamin K it supplies promotes proper blood clotting, thereby reducing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. It contains many essential nutrients including trace minerals, chlorophyll and vitamin K, a nutrient necessary for blood clotting. Many midwives advise drinking mild tasting alfalfa tea or taking alfalfa tablets during the last trimester of pregnancy to decrease postpartum bleeding or chance of hemorrhaging. Alfalfa also increases breast milk, as alfalfa hay is fed daily to milking goats and other dairy animals.
Dandelion
Both the leaf and root of this common garden “weed” provide many essential nutrients: vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, potassium, and many trace elements. The root is said to be a specific remedy for the liver. The leaf is a mild, nonirritating diuretic, which can reduce water retention during pregnancy. You can eat flesh leaves as salad greens, cook them, or steep them as a tea. However, because dandelion is rich in vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that can accumulate in the body, use only in moderation.
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-casti)
It has been used in Africa and parts of Europe for several thousand years to discourage the male libido. In women, the effects seem to be the opposite! It may also be a fertility enhancer. Most importantly, chaste tree is a strengthening tonic for the pituitary gland, the master control gland for the endocrine system. Daily use of the tincture of the berries (1 dropperful/1 ml 2-3 times daily) had been shown to increase progesterone–the hormone of pregnancy–and luteinizing hormone–which promotes conception. Because it can lower prolactin levels, chaste tree is best discontinues during the last trimester of pregnancy.
Oats
This herb is high in calcium and magnesium, builds healthy bones and nourishes the nervous system. This is the perfect herb to relieve nervous exhaustion and allow for relaxed rest when sleep is difficult. An easy way to incorporate the healing power of oats, and its high fiber content, is to eat oatmeal cereal in the morning, along with oatmeal bread. Oatstraw tea has a mild flavor that can be used alone or mixed with other herbs. And a warm oatmeal bath is not only relaxing, it softens skin and relieves the itch of a growing belly.
Dandelion
It is one of the best herbs for cleansing and strengthening the liver, our main detoxifying organ. Dandelion root tea increases digestion and promotes bile to relieve constipation. The liver breaks down hormones no longer needed by the body after birth, and any drugs that may have been given at birth. Containing calcium and iron, roasted dandelion root’s coffee-like flavor, is an excellent morning beverage. Add a handful of the fresh leaves, high in vitamin A, to other greens in salads.
Drink dandelion leaf tea if a diuretic is needed to relieve fluid retention. Because of its high potassium content, it does not deplete the body of this important mineral, as other diuretics are known to do.
Bilberry
It will fortify vein and capillary support, aids in kidney function . (caution: bilberry is a mild diuretic. Talk to yourdoctor before use.)
Blue and Black Cohosh
It stops and eliminates false labor ; for final weeks of pregnancy, to ease and/or induce labor. (editor’s note: This should only be used under the direction of an herbalist who is familiar with natural birth and in the final weeks of pregnancy)
Chamomile: aids digestions and bowel problems and relaxes for good sleep.
Echinacea: aids the immune system to help prevent colds, flu, and infections.
False Unicorn: use only in the final weeks of pregnancy, will ease and/or induce labor.
Ginger Root: excellent for morning sickness
Golden Seal: small amounts only, lager amounts can cause uterine contractions
Lobelia: helps relax the mother during birth and helps speed up the delivery of the placenta. Use the liquid topically.
Peppermint: after the first trimester, may be used to help digestion, soothe the stomach and overcome nausea. It is an all-over body strengthener and cleanser.
Wild Yam: for pregnancy pain, nausea or cramping and will lessen the possibility of miscarriage.
Yellow Dock: aids in iron assimilation and will help to prevent infant jaundice.
Warning:
Unless under the care of a health practitioner, pregnant women should not use concentrated botanicals that isolate a few chemical properties. Also, do not exceed recommended dosage guidelines unless advised to do so by your healthcare practitioner.
