Basic Postpartum herbal food supports

[Guest guest]

Dear Nitya!

 

The supplies for these preparations ARE expensive even to make, and it is hard

to make anything off them actually. Especially with the soaring price of saffron

now. Those recipes - with some tweaking and more info from Dr. Shrestha and

other Ayurvedic physicians, are in the unit called Basic Postpartum Herbals

which you can order.

 

Just be sure to talk with me about the preps of both the Almond Herbal

Rejuvenative SNack (Stanya RAsayana breast tonic) and Fennel Digestive chewing

herbs before you go at it - they are so unusual and a little tricky. You will

be able to find any missing supplies either by mail or going there, in Artesia,

CA at the House of Spices. (edible gum also called gond/gum acacia, saffron,

and black salt probably the most unusual of the list).

 

The almond herbal rejuvenative snack I call it, can be made with water instead

of the leetle bit of milk used to soak the saffron (it really can't be called

dairy based btw). We are making it now with more dates instead of succanat, for

ojas and iron as well as the ability to form it into laddu (balls) instead of

being just a ground mix. WE start to use this at about 8th day postpartum,

after your digestion has strengthened and just before Baby's first growth spurt

at 10 days.

 

YES on the dashmool! unless you can find Cedrus Deodar which grows there but is

isn't commmonly used in the west that I know of - maybe MOuntain Rose Herbs has

it? Dr. Shrestha's research project on postpartum found it usually even better

than the classically recommended in Sushrut (ancient Ayurvedic medical textbook)

Dashamoola for use 42 days twice daily after birth in reduction/decoction. You

can order from Banyanbotanicals the powder or cut herb form, organic.

 

We use the powder - prep 2 tsp in 2 cups water, boil down to 1/2 cup (don't do

it yourself, you will guaranteed burn it after birth with your other priorities!

- who do you have lined up to help?). If you have an Ayurvedic doula she would

be giving you all this info. Take 1/4 cup warm, ideally AMs after your first

cup of hot water to start the day, and again between dinner and bedtime, for 42

days. Make enough max for one day only and use fresh daily, like all the herbal

teas and most foods, due to the immense amount of rapid rejuvenation work which

is your mostly invisible postpartum work.

 

I would not use soy in powder or other form if you can avoid it, after

birth....there should be no need and it is so likely to give much digestive

discomfort for you and Baby from all I've seen. You might want to read up on

protein powders in general from the first chapter (over 70 pages!) in Nourishing

Traditions, a cookbook I don't especially favor but the knowledge in the first

chapter is worth every penny of that book in my opinion. Even if occasionally

these powders are very valuable if you have the right one for you (we can't

forget options for storage for crisis situations) after birth we do best not to

go there.

 

I would make sure you have something for a belly wrap afterwards for some weeks,

and something to use for basti after the first 10 days - for up to 7 days - even

fleet enema bottles emptied can take the little bit (1/3 cup) of sesame oil or

bala-ashwagandha oil recommended.

 

Also, the least expensive of the 4 you ordered last time is easy to get I'm sure

- what I call the Sweetwater Lactation tea. Called that because the brew is SO

weak, it hydrates. Mix 2 parts fennel seeds and 1 part fenugreek in a jar to

make enough for 6 weeks or so at 1 tsp daily. You can make it super easy on

yourself by putting 1/2 tsp in a quart thermous and filling with boiled water.

PResto - tea for the next 1/2 day, then you only have to get up (or ask someone

to do for you) one more time, repeat so you are drinking about 2 quarts daily.

OFten goes down better than water, and as said before, hydrates and gives gentle

support from these herbs for lactation, digestion (along wthi the warmth of the

tea) and fenugreek also supports respiratory and intestinal function.

 

If you have recommended other herbs from your midwife , you can adjust your tea

volume accordingly, just remember that this is like water, most teas " don't

count " for hydration in the same way. Look at them also for doshic

tweaking/adjustment as appropriate for their best benefit.

 

The shatavari kalpa recipe I think on the forum here? is very easy to make and

supportive after a few days to start taking also. I'd be using now...along with

perhaps some ashwagandha and the other prenatal birth prep discussion.

Shatavari tends to be the #1 pregnancy and postpartum support herb according to

many, though as a nutrient rich root, generally is not used alone without agni

(digestive) supportives.

 

OK, also consider the Panchaloka spice recipe or some version, especially for

first few days. It is in the Recipe Collection, or maybe we have gone over

these options for western kitchen. Though the pippali and chitrak can be

ordered from Banyan, and the pippali mool is available also from House of

Spices, as are some of the less known best first week/s vegetables if you want

to play with them. Also in the recipe collection is the " foods by weeks

postpartum " guide wherein you can make your shopping list.

 

It is hard to believe your due date is so close! How are you feeling, and how

is your rest at night? Enjoy pelvic rocking " cat-cows " , perineal oiling preps,

simple alternate nostril pranayama, your longer meditations as you can, and

beautiful Southern Cal long walks.

 

Many Blessings,

Ysha

 

> Dearest Ysha- The last time I did mother baby after I gave birth and ordered

these herbs to eat that were quite expensive from one of the mother baby techs.

They were pre-mixed though. Do you know what's in those mixes? I couldn't eat

the dairy based one for more than 6 months so it was sort of a bummer to spend

so much on it. Maybe I could make it myself with a soy powder? Do you have the

recipes for those by any chance? Perhaps theyr'e in your book but I didn't see

them.

> I'm just ordering my postpartum oils too and was wondering if there's

anything else you could recommend. I'm just getting sesame and Vata. Would

dashmoula or anything else be good? Thanks so much!

> I'm due

[Guest guest]

Ysha- Thanks so much! You're brilliant! This is really helpful! I think I have

all the ingredients for the Almond herbal rejuv. snack but just need to find the

recipe....I will look for basic postpartum herbals on your website then. I

ordered unit one already of Ayurvedic Postpartum care and cooking but it doesn't

seem to be in there. Do you make this stuff just in case we can't pull it off?

What do you charge for the postpartum snacks? I will see if I have unit 8,

otherwise go ahead and order it. I have so many emails from you but I don't

think I got that one yet.

I can't believe I'm due in a week either. There is so much in your book I'm

trying to get my head around and order. I wish there was a simple shopping list

because I'm a bit overwhelmed and getting a lot from Dr. Lad's site, but I

better order the Dr. Lad stuff now and then can always get more later. I can't

find the Bala herb or oil anywhere though. I got the dashmoula oil.

I found a vaidya here but she keeps prescribing herbs that make me throw up.

Hopefully they'll be more useful postpartum!)-: I couldn't find an Ayurdoula

locally though and it was too expensive to fly someone in. I have two masseusses

though that are students of Ayurved, and though not trained in Abhanga are

enthusiastic to learn so I will connect them to you.

I'm starting to feel quite unbounded and soft around the edges...just want to

take it easy all the time and trying to wind down with work.

I really appreciate all your support. You're a true healer!

 

With love,

Nitya

 

 

ayurveda , " ayurdoula " <AyurDoulas wrote:

>

> Dear Nitya!

>

> The supplies for these preparations ARE expensive even to make, and it is hard

to make anything off them actually. Especially with the soaring price of saffron

now. Those recipes - with some tweaking and more info from Dr. Shrestha and

other Ayurvedic physicians, are in the unit called Basic Postpartum Herbals

which you can order.

>

> Just be sure to talk with me about the preps of both the Almond Herbal

Rejuvenative SNack (Stanya RAsayana breast tonic) and Fennel Digestive chewing

herbs before you go at it - they are so unusual and a little tricky. You will

be able to find any missing supplies either by mail or going there, in Artesia,

CA at the House of Spices. (edible gum also called gond/gum acacia, saffron,

and black salt probably the most unusual of the list).

>

> The almond herbal rejuvenative snack I call it, can be made with water instead

of the leetle bit of milk used to soak the saffron (it really can't be called

dairy based btw). We are making it now with more dates instead of succanat, for

ojas and iron as well as the ability to form it into laddu (balls) instead of

being just a ground mix. WE start to use this at about 8th day postpartum,

after your digestion has strengthened and just before Baby's first growth spurt

at 10 days.

>

> YES on the dashmool! unless you can find Cedrus Deodar which grows there but

is isn't commmonly used in the west that I know of - maybe MOuntain Rose Herbs

has it? Dr. Shrestha's research project on postpartum found it usually even

better than the classically recommended in Sushrut (ancient Ayurvedic medical

textbook) Dashamoola for use 42 days twice daily after birth in

reduction/decoction. You can order from Banyanbotanicals the powder or cut herb

form, organic.

>

> We use the powder - prep 2 tsp in 2 cups water, boil down to 1/2 cup (don't do

it yourself, you will guaranteed burn it after birth with your other priorities!

- who do you have lined up to help?). If you have an Ayurvedic doula she would

be giving you all this info. Take 1/4 cup warm, ideally AMs after your first

cup of hot water to start the day, and again between dinner and bedtime, for 42

days. Make enough max for one day only and use fresh daily, like all the herbal

teas and most foods, due to the immense amount of rapid rejuvenation work which

is your mostly invisible postpartum work.

>

> I would not use soy in powder or other form if you can avoid it, after

birth....there should be no need and it is so likely to give much digestive

discomfort for you and Baby from all I've seen. You might want to read up on

protein powders in general from the first chapter (over 70 pages!) in Nourishing

Traditions, a cookbook I don't especially favor but the knowledge in the first

chapter is worth every penny of that book in my opinion. Even if occasionally

these powders are very valuable if you have the right one for you (we can't

forget options for storage for crisis situations) after birth we do best not to

go there.

>

> I would make sure you have something for a belly wrap afterwards for some

weeks, and something to use for basti after the first 10 days - for up to 7 days

- even fleet enema bottles emptied can take the little bit (1/3 cup) of sesame

oil or bala-ashwagandha oil recommended.

>

> Also, the least expensive of the 4 you ordered last time is easy to get I'm

sure - what I call the Sweetwater Lactation tea. Called that because the brew

is SO weak, it hydrates. Mix 2 parts fennel seeds and 1 part fenugreek in a jar

to make enough for 6 weeks or so at 1 tsp daily. You can make it super easy on

yourself by putting 1/2 tsp in a quart thermous and filling with boiled water.

PResto - tea for the next 1/2 day, then you only have to get up (or ask someone

to do for you) one more time, repeat so you are drinking about 2 quarts daily.

OFten goes down better than water, and as said before, hydrates and gives gentle

support from these herbs for lactation, digestion (along wthi the warmth of the

tea) and fenugreek also supports respiratory and intestinal function.

>

> If you have recommended other herbs from your midwife , you can adjust your

tea volume accordingly, just remember that this is like water, most teas " don't

count " for hydration in the same way. Look at them also for doshic

tweaking/adjustment as appropriate for their best benefit.

>

> The shatavari kalpa recipe I think on the forum here? is very easy to make and

supportive after a few days to start taking also. I'd be using now...along with

perhaps some ashwagandha and the other prenatal birth prep discussion.

Shatavari tends to be the #1 pregnancy and postpartum support herb according to

many, though as a nutrient rich root, generally is not used alone without agni

(digestive) supportives.

>

> OK, also consider the Panchaloka spice recipe or some version, especially for

first few days. It is in the Recipe Collection, or maybe we have gone over

these options for western kitchen. Though the pippali and chitrak can be

ordered from Banyan, and the pippali mool is available also from House of

Spices, as are some of the less known best first week/s vegetables if you want

to play with them. Also in the recipe collection is the " foods by weeks

postpartum " guide wherein you can make your shopping list.

>

> It is hard to believe your due date is so close! How are you feeling, and how

is your rest at night? Enjoy pelvic rocking " cat-cows " , perineal oiling preps,

simple alternate nostril pranayama, your longer meditations as you can, and

beautiful Southern Cal long walks.

>

> Many Blessings,

> Ysha

>

> > Dearest Ysha- The last time I did mother baby after I gave birth and ordered

these herbs to eat that were quite expensive from one of the mother baby techs.

They were pre-mixed though. Do you know what's in those mixes? I couldn't eat

the dairy based one for more than 6 months so it was sort of a bummer to spend

so much on it. Maybe I could make it myself with a soy powder? Do you have the

recipes for those by any chance? Perhaps theyr'e in your book but I didn't see

them.

> > I'm just ordering my postpartum oils too and was wondering if there's

anything else you could recommend. I'm just getting sesame and Vata. Would

dashmoula or anything else be good? Thanks so much!

> > I'm due

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Nitya -

 

Are you still a Mama in waiting? You are too kind and I apologize for not

getting back sooner...did you find the recipe? It is in the BPPH - basic

postpartum herbals unit. I'm sure I can get someone to make and send it to you

if you don't find all the ingredients or get uh, distracted. I don't know the

going rate actually now for it, can't keep up with the math. Sonya may be

making some really soon -

 

Your feeling overwhelmed - with information and with last minute nesting of

course both natural. I have to remind you those materials are meant for

students and I don't have time/funding yet to complete the revision of the

parents' handbook. So wading thru it is part of the job till then...

 

Bala is not generally available in this country right now, there is some crazy

effort to say it is unsafe I think is the reason. So just use ashwagandha or

better, one of the many wonderful premade vata massage oils. maybe the vaidyas

have a better solution for the mothers' basti w/o bala? With clients who can't

afford full care, we usually use plan warm sesame oil with good effect.

 

Dashamoola oil, did I recommend that? Probably is used in some practices and we

may have talked about it. What we do use daily is a decoction (that's a boiled

down reduction from water and the herb). You may also find it simpler to use

dashmoolaristam, an herbal wine you use small amount maybe 1 Tbs twice daily.

 

> I found a vaidya here but she keeps prescribing herbs that make me throw up.

Hopefully they'll be more useful postpartum!)-:

 

what herbs did she put you on and how did she have you taking them? I'm so

sorry to hear this experience, and honestly surprised. Maybe your system is a

little too wound up right now and taking many things already?

 

>I couldn't find an Ayurdoula locally though and it was too expensive to fly

someone in. I have two masseusses though that are students of Ayurved, and

though not trained in Abhanga are enthusiastic to learn so I will connect them

to you.

 

Forgive this delay. If you want to put them on a conference call with me, maybe

Thursday or Saturday, let's proceed with private email on this, ok?

 

> I'm starting to feel quite unbounded and soft around the edges...just want to

take it easy all the time and trying to wind down with work.

 

OH, this is beautiful Nitya. And do honor this feeling as much as you can. You

and Melody, here, could give birth at the same time... we Look forward to your

news when you feel ready to communicate again.

 

Love and blessings,

Ysha