Herbs have a long tradition of use for easing the pains of childbirth and the ills of pregnancy: for generations of women they were the only available remedies and much folklore — as well as hard scientific evidence — testifies to their efficacy. Today few women in the West have the opportunity to use herbs in this way: childbirth has become a much more orderly and monitored affair.

Using herbs in pregnancy also needs caution: many contain chemicals that will cross the placental barrier, so it is unwise to take any remedies in the first three months unless you really have to. The list of herbs to be avoided in pregnancy is already long and growing as potential new hazards are identified and, frequently, exaggerated. Many herbs are, however, perfectly safe to use and even most of those which should be avoided in high, regular doses are fine in moderation.

Herbal BeautyMorning sickness, which affects many pregnant women in the first three months is generally, fortunately, confined to a few minutes on rising, although with some sufferers it can last all day and extend through much of the nine months. Researchers have found that ginger is extremely effective even in these very severe cases. Up to I g per dose has been used quite safely in hospital trials. Other herbs that can help include fennel, lemon balm, bitter orange, chamomile and peppermint. These are best kept as tinctures in dropper bottles on the bedside table and used before rising. Alternatively, leave a Thermos flask of a suitable herbal infusion beside the bed at night so that the mix is ready to take before rising next morning. Try different remedies as need be — morning sickness may respond well to a particular remedy on one occasion but not on another, so keep plenty of alternatives nearby

Heartburn in pregnancy can be safely treated with slippery elm or marshmallow, while for constipation (often exacerbated by the use of supplementary iron tablets) stay with the gentler remedies — isphaghula, yellow dock or dandelion root,

Childbirth: Raspberry leaf has long been used to strengthen the womb ready for childbirth: it helps to tonify the uterus and aid contractions, but should be taken only in the last eight weeks of pregnancy. During labour many teas have traditionally been used to help relaxation, soothe pain and encourage contractions. In the modern labour ward sipping a home- brewed cup of herbal tea is not always possible, but they can certainly be used in the early stages of labour or where midwives are sympathetic. Traditional mixtures include wood betony and chamomile, with rose petal, raspberry leaf and clove in the later stages. Massaging the abdomen with wet-diluted clove or sage oils can also help. To speed recovery from the birth itself, homoeopathic Arnica 6X tablets taken every 15-30 minutes for a few hours will help repair stressed tissues.

Breast-feeding problems: Sore nipples in breast-feeding are commonplace: the cause is often poor positioning of the baby, who should suck at the whole areola (the dark area around the nipple) rather than just holding on to the nipple itself Marigold and chamomile creams can help.

Many herbs, including fennel and vervain, also encourage milk flow.To dry up milk at weaning take sage tea.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Maternity: Pregnancy and Childbirth; Herbal Healing Remedies