Breast Milk Supply urgent buildup needed

[Guest guest]

This woman is a young achiever, primip with a 8 week premie; great

supply at first but has been through a lot. Sharing her story to

share and as I always have things to learn, perhaps there is something

better we can support her with. After 5 weeks in residence near

hospital during ICU, she is home (another state). Pumped reserves

gone tomorrow, they have been supplementing with those alt feedings to

help baby gain weight and use less energy to build up her supply which

is very low.

 

History of psoriasis, very sleek thin and attractive, dear and

devoted, do it yourself personality with pitta and vata appearing

body. Both she and husband eating voraciously, this is good! She

loves spicy foods like halapenos. We discussed this pitta and the low

carb fiber input is likely loosening her stools as reported. Baby

wakes every 2 hours sometimes less at night, they are leaning by docs

advice also on 3 hour gap; I've advised the usual 2 from end to

beginning of next feeding and for husband to sleep separately with

baby for a couple nights so all she has to do is nurse. Her supply

goes up when she gest rest, rarely 2 hour intervals now.

 

Diet quite vata increasing, that is next communication with her; they

receive church meals 2X weekly, gratefully. We are working on the

diet as we can talk and she can do: For fats, she and hubby favor

olive oil only in small amounts, good organic foods, some meats mostly

fish and chicken. Very low carb intake, she got scared when hubby

made baked potato american style - everything in it from cheese and

sour cream to bacon, as I remember, and it made her sick; she blamed

the carbs. AM sending her combining chart, advising more good

cholesterol foods (esp ghee), warm temp (she loves iced water but will

try room temp), she is enjoying the hot milk with herbs at least once

daily.

 

She has started taking an herbal formula designed for her 5 weeks ago,

taking half the rec notices some help, will up it. I'm updating the

formula to support lactation, reduce pitta and vata with rasayana more

strongly as follows based on discussions with the grandmother and

almost 1 hour conversation with this mother yesterday.

 

6 part shatavari

4 PART Ashwaghanda

4 part methi (fenugreek)powder

2 part pippali

1 part each guduchi and arjuna

1/2 part manjista

1/4 part each cardamom and licorice

 

I also feel to give her good doses of amalaki, but do not want to

interfere with value of taking the herbs in the hot milk. Im inclined

to recommend a chyvan prash, perhaps Sarita's formula if Louise makes

it. Any other suggestions? I am not familiar with shatavari kalpa to

know if it also has lots of amalaki.

 

She just started using some tincture with fenugreek and other common

western lactation herbs yesterday, 3X daily, at naturopath's advice.

 

She has been provided dashmool, may not use it due to preparation. Her

#1 priority is milk supply at the moment. Husband works at home and

helps, but as is common with the high vata and high pitta

perfectionism, they find themselves VERY busy with this little one who

of course is higher need at this time too. They do not want anyone

else visiting/in the house space even for housecleaning, very

concerned about microbes. We are beginning the conversation about

value of diffusing essential oils.

 

Any reminders about building milk supply, best tools are welcomed.

FAmily lives in Sacramento, CA; any gentle women doing Ayurvedic

massage there?

 

Warm Regards;

Ysha

[Guest guest]

ayurveda , " Ysha Oakes "

<AyurDoulas wrote:

 

> She has started taking an herbal formula designed for her 5 weeks ago,

> taking half the rec notices some help, will up it. I'm updating the

> formula to support lactation, reduce pitta and vata with rasayana more

> strongly as follows based on discussions with the grandmother and

> almost 1 hour conversation with this mother yesterday.

>

> 6 part shatavari

> 4 PART Ashwaghanda

> 4 part methi (fenugreek)powder

> 2 part pippali

> 1 part each guduchi and arjuna

> 1/2 part manjista

> 1/4 part each cardamom and licorice

 

Nice formula, Ysha, perhaps with the Pitta aggravation you could

reduce the methi and pippali, or replace pippali with ginger powder.

Musta (Cyperus rotundus) would be good as it would slow down digestive

transit time, nourish uterus and purify breastmilk (stanyashodhana

action).

 

Turmeric has cleansing, astringent action on the uterus, and promotes

lactation.

Fennel is digestive, pitta-pacifying and galactogogue.

 

>

> I also feel to give her good doses of amalaki, but do not want to

> interfere with value of taking the herbs in the hot milk. Im inclined

> to recommend a chyvan prash, perhaps Sarita's formula if Louise makes

> it. Any other suggestions?

 

Here is a traditional recipe called Saubhagya Shunthi Paka, specially

for post-partal women.

2 gms each of:

Ginger powder

Pippali

Black Pepper

Amalaki

Haritaki

Bibhitaki

Cumin

Cinnamon

Tamala patra (Indian bayleaf)

Cardamom

Nagakeshara (Mesua Ferrea)

Musta

Nutmeg

Coriander

Cloves

Ajwain (celery seed)

Shatavari

Guduci

Sandalwood

 

Just leave out what is not available, and pound together to fine

powder. Boil 250 ml milk and 200 gms ginger powder on medium heat.

When milk thickens into paste, fry with 60 gms ghee until water fully

evaporated.

 

Prepare separately sugar syrup with 220 gms sugar and a little water.

Add fried ginger paste and fine powder mixture, and mix well, boil

water out. It should form a thick paste. Give 6 gms twice daily.

 

> I am not familiar with shatavari kalpa to

> know if it also has lots of amalaki.

 

No, Shatavari is not often mixed with amalaki.

 

I would recommend that she avoids chillies as it will aggravate her as

well as the child. Cool spices like cumin , coriander and fennel are

more suitable.

 

I'm not surprised she felt sick with that potato dish! Cheese, cream

etc may have been too heavy - I don't think the problem was with the

carbo at all! Simple digestible foods would go down more easily.

 

Sweet root vegetables are a good way to provide nourishment - sweet

potatoes (called kumara in New Zealand) come to mind. Pumpkin is also

excellent. Here is a formula called Kushmanda Avalehya, given for 40

days post-partum. Kushmanda (Benincasa ceriefera) is translated as Ash

Gourd, but pumpkin can be used too...it is yummy and super-nutritious!

 

Pumpkin 500 gms

Water

Ghee 70 gms

Raw sugar 500 gms

Small amount of pippali, ginger powder, cumin, coriander, cinnamon,

black pepper, cardamom

Honey 100 gms

 

Chop and boil the pumpkin in some water till soft, then fry in ghee

until water is completely boiled out. Make a syrup with the sugar and

some water, add the spices, then add the pumpkin paste. Cook till

jammy, then allow to cool slightly and add the honey. Give a few

tablespoons 2-3 times daily.

 

Kushmanda is a rejuvenative (rasayana), brain tonic (medhya),

strengthening tonic (balya) and Vata-Pitta pacifier.

 

I've tried these during training, but would love to hear from anyone

using these formulas post-partum.

 

Cheers,

Gerald Lopez

Ayurveda & Yoga consultant

Auckland, New Zealand

[Guest guest]

ayurveda , " Ysha Oakes "

<AyurDoulas wrote:

>

> This woman is a young achiever, primip with a 8 week premie; great

> supply at first but has been through a lot. Sharing her story to

> share and as I always have things to learn, perhaps there is

something

> better we can support her with. After 5 weeks in residence near

> hospital during ICU, she is home (another state). Pumped reserves

> gone tomorrow, they have been supplementing with those alt feedings

to

> help baby gain weight and use less energy to build up her supply

which

> is very low.

>

> History of psoriasis, very sleek thin and attractive, dear and

> devoted, do it yourself personality with pitta and vata appearing

> body. Both she and husband eating voraciously, this is good! She

> loves spicy foods like halapenos. We discussed this pitta and the

low

> carb fiber input is likely loosening her stools as reported. Baby

> wakes every 2 hours sometimes less at night, they are leaning by

docs

> advice also on 3 hour gap; I've advised the usual 2 from end to

> beginning of next feeding and for husband to sleep separately with

> baby for a couple nights so all she has to do is nurse. Her supply

> goes up when she gest rest, rarely 2 hour intervals now.

>

> Diet quite vata increasing, that is next communication with her;

they

> receive church meals 2X weekly, gratefully. We are working on the

> diet as we can talk and she can do: For fats, she and hubby favor

> olive oil only in small amounts, good organic foods, some meats

mostly

> fish and chicken. Very low carb intake, she got scared when hubby

> made baked potato american style - everything in it from cheese and

> sour cream to bacon, as I remember, and it made her sick; she blamed

> the carbs. AM sending her combining chart, advising more good

> cholesterol foods (esp ghee), warm temp (she loves iced water but

will

> try room temp), she is enjoying the hot milk with herbs at least

once

> daily.

>

> She has started taking an herbal formula designed for her 5 weeks

ago,

> taking half the rec notices some help, will up it. I'm updating the

> formula to support lactation, reduce pitta and vata with rasayana

more

> strongly as follows based on discussions with the grandmother and

> almost 1 hour conversation with this mother yesterday.

>

> 6 part shatavari

> 4 PART Ashwaghanda

> 4 part methi (fenugreek)powder

> 2 part pippali

> 1 part each guduchi and arjuna

> 1/2 part manjista

> 1/4 part each cardamom and licorice

>

> I also feel to give her good doses of amalaki, but do not want to

> interfere with value of taking the herbs in the hot milk. Im

inclined

> to recommend a chyvan prash, perhaps Sarita's formula if Louise

makes

> it. Any other suggestions? I am not familiar with shatavari kalpa

to

> know if it also has lots of amalaki.

>

> She just started using some tincture with fenugreek and other common

> western lactation herbs yesterday, 3X daily, at naturopath's

advice.

>

> She has been provided dashmool, may not use it due to preparation.

Her

> #1 priority is milk supply at the moment. Husband works at home and

> helps, but as is common with the high vata and high pitta

> perfectionism, they find themselves VERY busy with this little one

who

> of course is higher need at this time too. They do not want anyone

> else visiting/in the house space even for housecleaning, very

> concerned about microbes. We are beginning the conversation about

> value of diffusing essential oils.

>

> Any reminders about building milk supply, best tools are welcomed.

> FAmily lives in Sacramento, CA; any gentle women doing Ayurvedic

> massage there?

>

> Warm Regards;

> Ysha

>

Ysha,

I think she should start feeding on the breast every feeding and pump

with a hospital grade pump after each feeding to get her milk supply

up quickly. The more time the baby spends on the breast the better

and nursing every 2 hours not 3. The more stimulation the breast has

the better. Does she have a follow up appt with a lactation

consultant? She may want to see one and have the baby weighed to see

how much the baby he is getting in a feeding.

If she is not already doing so having skin to skin contact with the

baby is great for milk supply and weight gain in the baby.

Is she getting enough rest? Rest is beneficial for milk supply too.

Is the baby having 6-8 wet/soiled diapers a day?

 

Alacananda has a great Shatavari Kalpa recipe I have used it in the

past with some of her clients. I don't know exact amounts but

basically heat some ghee in a pan and roast the shatavari in the ghee

add rapadura or turbinado until desired sweetness I can't remember

the dosage but would like to find out so if you contact her for it

please let me know.

 

Since she is not receiving a massage maybe she could do a self

massage and give the baby a massage too for weight gain in baby.

 

If I think of more I will get back to you.

I am sure Vicky will have good information.

Sonya

[Guest guest]

Hi Sonya,

Thanks for these reminders. Most in back if not front of my mind and

you have certainly stated the obvious and I quite agree about frequent

stimulation, which had me wondering when talking with her why her

other professionals were advising otherwise. We have to be careful

sometimes standing up against client medical professionals (not sure

if it was lactation) around this baby's special needs - there are

things I don't know too. They specifically had advised to protect

baby from loosing energy/weight by nursing on less than generous

breast, bottles being quicker delivery. SHe is quite strong with the

medical trust, though wanting alternative/more natural; I will

reminder her of the obvious again.

 

> I think she should start feeding on the breast every feeding and

pump with a hospital grade pump after each feeding to get her milk

supply up quickly. The more time the baby spends on the breast the

better and nursing every 2 hours not 3. The more stimulation the

breast has the better. Does she have a follow up appt with a lactation

consultant? She may want to see one and have the baby weighed to see

how much the baby he is getting in a feeding.

 

Yes, she has been using best pump since the birth; baby didn't have

strength to even nurse and was tube fed some weeks. She provided

well. Up to 5+ pounds now though very skinny. They are weighing baby

often, tis part of the concern.

 

> If she is not already doing so having skin to skin contact with the

> baby is great for milk supply and weight gain in the baby.

Strong on this they are.

 

> Is she getting enough rest? Rest is beneficial for milk supply too.

SHe knows, and challenged, hence my counsel how to add even a couple

hours. They don't want anyone else in support role in the house now,

even Grandma, I think to extreme but don't want to risk needing

antibiotics for Baby's delicate immune system. Advised diffusing eoils.

 

> Is the baby having 6-8 wet/soiled diapers a day?

Leaving that to the nurse involved; probably wasn't for a few as baby

was not gaining enough, hence the last minute willingness to consult

me on milk supply.

 

> Since she is not receiving a massage maybe she could do a self

> massage and give the baby a massage too for weight gain in baby.

 

As you know I'm keenly aware here...couldn't suggest it yet, she has

to get rest and foods in better order first and is peaked around her

lack of time to do these better. I'll remind her for the record, have

to be careful not to put her on overwhelm and " can't deal " . I've two

women on a yoga teacher traiing intensive here who started self

massage for first time - they do some Ayurveda this included daily,

ONe is amazed at benefits. I often wear my hair oiled and feel much

more focused, grounded, and more productive.

 

Thanks much for sharing; it is good to lay out the full picture here also.

Love,

Ysha

[Guest guest]

Hi Gerald!

 

It is a delight to hear from a new associate from New Zealand and

would love to know more about your practice there.

 

Thanks for all this delicious input! Some will be easier to provide

when we are present to prepare it perhaps. This client is from a

distance and not willing to undertake much that takes her time " away

from " Baby. (lots of mothering skills get discovered in the have to

territory, of course!).

 

> Nice formula, Ysha, perhaps with the Pitta aggravation you could

> reduce the methi and pippali, or replace pippali with ginger powder.

> Musta (Cyperus rotundus) would be good as it would slow down

digestive transit time, nourish uterus and purify breastmilk

(stanyashodhana action).

 

Interesting; I find ginger powder more sharply pitta increasing, and

pippali more specific to the agnis. Appreciate these reminders about

Musta; valuable for another client right now too. The methi and

pippali were added purpously given 1)mom is SO thin, I didn't want to

give fennel or coriander's though mild, diuretic influence. The methi

was added instead of fennel for these reasons of feeling more

protective of her water. You may be right about reducing it some,

though it is winter here. Also thinking about her agni, which has

been apparently on some levels challenged by much raw foods and

leftovers in addition to the postpartum natural condition. It is true

she has big appetite now, but I can't help but expect the deeper agnis

may need support. Didn't want to use chitrak, no need to burn what

little fat she has!

 

Have two women here who are CRAVING pippali, in wake of much health

work with raw foods as well as recent respiratory recovery. It is

very interesting.

 

I will follow up, and see about sending on some Musta to add which

would help balance the temp too, though clearly she needs for multiple

reasons some rice and other carbs which will likely add form to her

stools. Of course her attempt at healthy eating favoring brown rice

doesn't help the pitta right now either, but I figure it a minor issue

now; I'd like to see her use more quinoa actually, and amaranth. She

does love oatmeal and will begin favoring that for breakfast instead

of cold yoghurt and fruit.

>

> Turmeric has cleansing, astringent action on the uterus, and

promotes lactation. Fennel is digestive, pitta-pacifying and galactogogue.

 

Interesting you say that turmeric enhances lactation - in smaller

amounts? It is used in India in larger amounts like we do sage here,

to dry up lactation! It also gives warmth sometimes. I was hesitant

to give her much directly drying, she has so much vata.

 

> Here is a traditional recipe called Saubhagya Shunthi Paka,

specially for post-partal women.

 

> Just leave out what is not available, and pound together to fine

> powder. Boil 250 ml milk and 200 gms ginger powder on medium heat.

 

So extra ginger is added? The formula has remarkable amounts of

cardamom and pitta increasing herbs, though the latter is important

first weeks for agni. Sounds wonderful, will take a bit to get this

going. How does it keep, say for shipping?

>

> No, Shatavari is not often mixed with amalaki.

 

Is this because of the herbs' different actions/value in milk as

anapuna, or some other reason? Had not heard this. I have used them

together in psychological formulary with other herbs, the shatavari's

hormonal etc action being catalytic and grounding to the manas herbs

and both so good for pitta.

>

> I would recommend that she avoids chillies as it will aggravate her

as well as the child. Cool spices like cumin , coriander and fennel

are more suitable.

Yes, of course! and fresh ginger, ghee roasted garlic also being

galactagoge, grounding and digestive, and she loves garlic. This

helps pull some of the harshness out, as you must know.

>

> I'm not surprised she felt sick with that potato dish! Cheese, cream

> etc may have been too heavy - I don't think the problem was with the

> carbo at all! Simple digestible foods would go down more easily.

 

Totally!

>

> Sweet root vegetables are a good way to provide nourishment - sweet

> potatoes (called kumara in New Zealand) come to mind.

 

Yes, the grounding roots are good for vata mommies and the rest of us!

We recommend yams, as the real " sweet potatoes " by some Ayurvedics

have some astringent and drying quality, certainly more easily

constipating too like the varieties of regular potato are. We often

use beets with mothers also, building iron and supporting bowels

commonly at issue, though not for this mom now.

 

> Kushmanda is a rejuvenative (rasayana), brain tonic (medhya),

> strengthening tonic (balya) and Vata-Pitta pacifier.

 

Sounds wonderful! Probably also in some way hormonal supportive, this

rasayana? I once studied with a woman doing flower essences who

encouraged the use of essence of the round gourds like pumpkin and

acorn squash to enhance female womb supportive functions (like

fertility!), and the essence of (flowers of) the long squash like

zucchini for male. I have not worked with anyone on/with this, though

I still have my acorn and zucchini flower essences!

 

> I've tried these during training, but would love to hear from anyone

> using these formulas post-partum.

 

Where was your training? VEry much appreciate your sharing and will

get back with you when we are able to use these. Are you ok if we

share in the postpartum cookbook for others?

 

Namaste:

Ysha

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your warm welcome and kind words Ysha! It is a pleasure

exchanging notes and learning with experienced people like you.

 

ayurveda , " Ysha Oakes "

<AyurDoulas wrote:

>

> Interesting; I find ginger powder more sharply pitta increasing, and

> pippali more specific to the agnis.

 

Ok, perhaps the herbs are of different qualities. I find the dried

black pippali here (New Zealand) quite sharp and strong, but the

ginger is milder and sweeter. Pippali contains a steroid, which may

have hormonal effects on women? Perhaps that accounts for the cravings

for pippali! It is a rasayana, however may need to be used with care

in emaciated people.

 

Ginger is highly regarded for postpartum women in a number of

traditions. After my wife gave birth to our son Joshua, her Chinese

mother made a big stew of pig's trotters with heaps of ginger and

roasted garlic!

 

 

> reasons some rice and other carbs which will likely add form to her

> stools. Of course her attempt at healthy eating favoring brown rice

> doesn't help the pitta right now either, but I figure it a minor issue

> now; I'd like to see her use more quinoa actually, and amaranth. She

> does love oatmeal and will begin favoring that for breakfast instead

> of cold yoghurt and fruit.

 

Yes, I'm sure brown rice is ok if well cooked in more than usual water

to soften it. Oatmeal porridge is great with raisins in it.

 

Do you also recommend the Ojas-building foods like dates, raisins,

almonds, ghee, milk, honey, saffron etc.? These nourish the body on

deep levels. For instance, a cup of milk boiled with a dozen strands

of saffron, with honey added when cooled, is a nice drink for building

ojas and inducing sleep.

 

> > Turmeric has cleansing, astringent action on the uterus, and

> promotes lactation. Fennel is digestive, pitta-pacifying and

galactogogue.

>

> Interesting you say that turmeric enhances lactation - in smaller

> amounts? It is used in India in larger amounts like we do sage here,

> to dry up lactation! It also gives warmth sometimes. I was hesitant

> to give her much directly drying, she has so much vata.

 

Sorry, I meant that turmeric has milk-cleansing (stanyashodhana)

action! It also has uterine-cleansing action (garbhashayashodhana),

and the astringent quality helps uterine recovery (Paranjpe P,

Ayurvedic Medicine - The Living Tradition).

 

One text (Pandey G, Dravyaguna Vijnana) says that turmeric alleviates

Vata and Kapha, and helps eliminate excess Pitta (Pittarecaka). Only

small amounts are needed - 1-2 gms a day.

 

In my view there needs to be some astringent, drying action on the

reproductive organs; at the same time addressing apana vata with

oleation and sweet, warm, heavy foods and herbs.

 

Do you use Bala or similar oil for massage? Do you administer oil

enemas for pacifying vata and nourishment?

 

>

> > Here is a traditional recipe called Saubhagya Shunthi Paka,

> specially for post-partal women.

>

> > Just leave out what is not available, and pound together to fine

> > powder. Boil 250 ml milk and 200 gms ginger powder on medium heat.

>

> So extra ginger is added? The formula has remarkable amounts of

> cardamom and pitta increasing herbs, though the latter is important

> first weeks for agni. Sounds wonderful, will take a bit to get this

> going. How does it keep, say for shipping?

 

Yes, keep the fine multi-herb mix aside, and add a seperate 200 gm

ginger powder to the milk. And yes, there are warming herbs, but they

are mainly sweet so only mildly pitta-raising. If you are concerned,

you can always reduce the offending herbs, but remember, the main

thing after delivery is to stabilise vata and agni.

 

You will find hidden in the formula three sub-formulas - Trikatu,

Triphala and Caturjataka - which are traditionally used for

strengthening and balancing digestion.

 

It looks complicated, but takes about 30 minutes to make, mainly

stirring. It is said to keep for up to a year, but it is important to

boil out the water completely. I made some in a hurry once, and it

became mouldy in 3 weeks!

 

> >

> > No, Shatavari is not often mixed with amalaki.

>

> Is this because of the herbs' different actions/value in milk as

> anapuna, or some other reason? Had not heard this. I have used them

> together in psychological formulary with other herbs, the shatavari's

> hormonal etc action being catalytic and grounding to the manas herbs

> and both so good for pitta.

 

Yes, that is the main reason I think. I just haven't seen any formulas

with near-equal amounts of shatavari and amalaki. Shatavari is good to

take with milk, but I have found amalaki to curdle milk, so I

intuitively avoid this mixture.

 

However if you find them effective together, that is good to know!

 

>

> > Kushmanda is a rejuvenative (rasayana), brain tonic (medhya),

> > strengthening tonic (balya) and Vata-Pitta pacifier.

>

> Sounds wonderful! Probably also in some way hormonal supportive, this

> rasayana?

 

I haven't found any mention of hormonal support, nor what constituents

make it a traditional brain tonic. Pandey says it is " brmhana

(promoting the tissues) and balya (promoting body strength). " These

actions sound like just what new mums need.

 

> I still have my acorn and zucchini flower essences!

 

Sounds nice!

 

>

> Where was your training? VEry much appreciate your sharing and will

> get back with you when we are able to use these. Are you ok if we

> share in the postpartum cookbook for others?

 

I did the three-year Diploma of Ayurvedic Medicine course at Wellpark

College of Natural Therapies in Auckland (www.wellpark.co.nz).

Actually, I would like to talk to you about training in your Ayurdoula

programme, as sometime in the near future I would like to present a

holistic perinatal package to the health authorities here.

 

Of course you can share the formulas, they were given to me as

traditional recipes. Let the tradition continue!

 

Best regards,

Gerald Lopez

Auckland, New Zealand

[Guest guest]

Hi Gerald;

>It is a pleasure exchanging notes and learning with experienced

people like you.

Very much same response, thank you!

 

> Ok, perhaps the herbs are of different qualities. I find the dried

> black pippali here (New Zealand) quite sharp and strong, but the

> ginger is milder and sweeter. Pippali contains a steroid, which may

> have hormonal effects on women? Perhaps that accounts for the

>cravings for pippali! It is a rasayana, however may need to be used

>with care in emaciated people.

 

Hmm, the ginger does sound different. The pippali may be same, it

certainly effects the agnis as soon as hits the tongue with quite a

tingle that won't quit for a while. But with its sweet post digestive

effect (vipak) and unctuous heaviness, it seems safer than the hot

ginger we have, though that also for postpartum is favored abundantly

(as Dr. Bhate encourages, 1.5 kilo in 6 weeks! but he didn't say dry

or fresh...)

 

I'll post separately the info I was given and have collected on

pippali, for others to read. It is a very interesting herb, also as

having this oiler/untuous/sweet influence even though it is very

drying and heating it says, later in reference. I'm finding these two

women in my immediate circle right now who are craving pippali are

both very thin, though not really emaciated they could become but for

rejuv efforts. both have spent much time on raw food healing diets.

Im seeing pieces of why Dr. Mishra says raw foodists are the hardest

to heal - am assuming this means to work with ayurvically.

 

> After my wife gave birth to our son Joshua, her Chinese

> mother made a big stew of pig's trotters with heaps of ginger and

> roasted garlic!

 

Dr. SHrestha in Nepal cites use of ajwan and garlic soup among recipes

for new mothers! That is using a lot of ajwan, and a lot of garlic,

by the way. I've tried making this to no good taste, by the way, not

having a recipe. She does soak in cool water overnight to pull some

of the sharp heat from the ajwan. It is also said to be very powerful

for milk production. If anyone has a tasty recipe, we could use it

with clients, but not for now! The pig's trotters I assume provided a

source for connective tissue rejuvenation? We were trained to prepare

a sweet with edible gum/gond (gum acacia), almonds, coconut, saffron,

iron rich sugar, other spices etc.

 

> Oatmeal porridge is great with raisins in it.

 

We encourage an iron rich sweetening but to minimize adding raisins,

after Dr. Lad's teaching not to! Something about the vipak of raisins

(and most fruit/dried fruits - he says dates ok sometimes).

 

> Do you also recommend the Ojas-building foods like dates, raisins,

> almonds, ghee, milk, honey, saffron etc.? These nourish the body on

 

Definitely!

 

> Sorry, I meant that turmeric has milk-cleansing (stanyashodhana)

> action! It also has uterine-cleansing action (garbhashayashodhana),

> and the astringent quality helps uterine recovery (Paranjpe P,

> Ayurvedic Medicine - The Living Tradition).

 

Umm, as does pippali but the turmeric is not as heating. Thanks for

this, and the reference.

 

> One text (Pandey G, Dravyaguna Vijnana) says that turmeric

alleviates Vata and Kapha, and helps eliminate excess Pitta

(Pittarecaka). Only small amounts are needed - 1-2 gms a day.

 

A prabhava? I had heard diffeent teachers said increases/decreases

pitta, increases/decreases vata. Like cardamom, only even smaller

amounts for the benefits, otherwise goes the other way, on the P/V.

>

> In my view there needs to be some astringent, drying action on the

> reproductive organs; at the same time addressing apana vata with

> oleation and sweet, warm, heavy foods and herbs.

 

We give dashmool decoction right away for 42 days, twice daily; does

this do some astringeing? This makes sense, but has not been part of

my training. We give stronger agni supports first week, thanks to the

wisdom of other forum vaidyas. So a small amount of turmeric can be

related to, but again hesitant to be counter productive with lactation

- or is there another good herb for this - is bala going to help?

 

> Do you use Bala or similar oil for massage? Do you administer oil

> enemas for pacifying vata and nourishment?

Definitely. I've adjusted the bala tailam (herbalized oil) recipes to

accomodate dry ness on masseuse's hands with just bala in frequent

use, to using it 50% and other herbs incuding ashwaghanda the other

50%, giving more demulcent quality.

 

> > Saubhagya Shunthi Paka,specially for post-partal women.

> Yes, keep the fine multi-herb mix aside, and add a seperate 200 gm

> but remember, the main thing after delivery is to stabilise vata and

agni.

Yes, this formula looks very good for this. Will make it!

 

> boil out the water completely. I made some in a hurry once, and it

> became mouldy in 3 weeks!

Have had that happen with herbalizing massage/basti oils, no fun!

>

> I just haven't seen any formulas with near-equal amounts of

shatavari and amalaki.

 

near equal amounts...is there some general teaching about this in

herbal formulary?

>

> However if you find them effective together, that is good to know!

It is tricky, because of the curdling and because when using a manas

formula is is commonly valuable to give it in hot milk for the

serotenergic and other vata/pitta pacifying effects.

 

> I did the three-year Diploma of Ayurvedic Medicine course at

Wellpark College of Natural Therapies in Auckland (www.wellpark.co.nz)

 

This sounds like an in depth very good programme, judging by your

expressions. Many programmes don't go far with women's health or

especially, perinatal health, unless studying in India for medical

degree with Ayurveda. I think that is 4 years? Much gratitute for

your participation.

 

> Ayurdoula programme, as sometime in the near future I would like to

present a holistic perinatal package to the health authorities here.

 

There is so much need for perinatal health support. HOnored - I'll

email some info we can talk further.

 

WArmly;

Ysha