Herbs for Pregnancy

[Guest guest]

 

Herbs for Pregnancy

 

 

Pregnancy is a time of rapid physical and emotional changes in the body. Herbs can be very useful in toning and nourishing the system to help allay potential problems and remedy discomforts that pregnant wmen may experience. Attention to nutrition can go a long way in preventing possible complications. Mood swings and morning sickness, which are quite common, are connected to low blood sugar. A lack of calcium can result in hypertension, backaches and severe labor pains. Malnutriton during pregnancy can cause constipation, hemorrhoids, anemia, and even pre-eclampsia. It's absolutely vital to get enough vitamins, minerals and protein during pregnancy.

 

 

Useful Herbs for Pregnancy

~ 2 Wonderful Pregnancy Tonic Herbs ~ Tonic herbs are those which act slowly and have a cumulative effect in the body. They are most effective when used over a period of several months. Tehy are used during pregnancy to supply vital nourishment, increase energy and tone the uterus.

 

RASPBERRY LEAF This herb is considered to be the most widely used, safest pregnancy tonic of any herb. It contains an alkaloid called fragrine which helps tone the uterus and pelvic floor muscles. This herb also contains vitamins C and E as well as iron and calcium. Regular use during pregnancy is said to help prevent miscarraige, ease morning sickness, facilitate an easier labor, and assist in the production of plentiful breast milk.

NETTLE LEAVES This tonic herb is a nutriotional powerhouse, containing every vitamin & mineral known to be needed for human growth. It is said to have more clorophyll than any other herb also. Regular use of nettle infusion during pregnancy ensures a plentiful supply of nutrients, helps reduce hemorrhoids, helps prevent postpartum hemorrhage, eases leg cramps and muscle spasms and nourishes the kidneys. Nettle is also a wonderful herb for lactation as it promotes a rich supply of breast milk. Many women nourish themselves after pregnancy with this nutritional powerhouse. Nettle's high mineral content has been used traditionally to support women postpartum by nourish the nervous system and stabalizing hormone levels.

 

 

Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy The internal use of the following herbs is contraindicated during pregnancy:

Alkanet, Aloe, Angelica, Anise, Anise Star, Arnica, Ashwaganda, Barley Grass, Barberry, Basil, Bitter Melon, Black Cohosh, Bladderwrack, Blessed Thistle, Blood Root, Blue Cohosh, Blue Flag, Blue Vervain, Borage, Buckthorn, California Poppy, Cascara Sagrada, Catnip, Celandine, Celery, Chervil, Cinnamon, Club Moss, Comfrey, Coltsfoot, Cubeb, Dong Quai, Elecampane, Ephedra, False Unicorn, Fenugreek, Feverfew, Ginger, Golden Seal, Gravel, Guarana, Gymnema, Horehound, Horsetail, Hyssop, Juniper, Lemongrass, Licorice, Lobelia, Lovage, Lungwort, Mace, Motherwort, Mugwort, Muira Puama, Myrrh, Neem, Oregon Grape, Osha, Parsley, Pennyroyal, Pleurisy, Prickly Ash, Red Clover, Rhodiola, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, Senna, Shepherds Purse, Spikenard, Turkey Rhubarb, Turmeric, Uva Ursi, Vitex, Watercress, White Sage, Wormwood, Yarrow. *note: It is the therapeutic use of these herbs which is considered to be unsafe. In other words, you can still put a little cinnamon in your oatmeal! Just don't use it in large doses. Also, some herbalists do use some of these herbs for pregnancy related ailments. For example, Susun Weed suggests MOTHERWORT to help prevent fatigue and mood swings, and many women benefit from the use of GINGER ROOT tea for preventing heartburn or to ease morning sickness.

To be confident in using herbs for pregnancy, get yourself a good herbal book, such as Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun S. Weed. Or work with an herbalist you know and trust.

Many midwives incorporate the use of herbs for pregnancy related symptoms or to tone ans strengthen the uterus.

 

 

Useful herbs for Morning Sickness During Pregnancy

 

 

 

Useful herbs for Preventing Threats of Miscarriage

 

 

Useful Herbs for Childbirth

NutritiousPregnancy.com Read about how to nourish yourself for a healthy pregnancy and baby!

 

“If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride, because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about other people's opinions. Be humble and you will never be disturbed. Remember St. Aloysius, who said he would continue to play billiards even if he knew he was going to die. Do you play well? Sleep well? Eat well? These are duties. Nothing is small for God.”

~ Mother Theresa20th century humanitarian

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Earlier this week, I had asked about the use of Rasberry leaf. I was

told that it shouldn't harm anything. Now from personal experience

and my own research, ( this is why I have not been able to let this

go) is this, my gf who has been a greenwitch for 30 plus years,

looked around and I am correct. Do not use Rasberry leaf in your 1st

and 2nd trimesters. The reason being is its good to get your uterus

contracting and ready for the baby to come, but to do this early on

in the pregnancy can cause alot of discomfort and some problems. Now

I know this to be true. With my first daughter, I drank a cup of tea

in my second trimester (month 4 and month 6) both times, my braxton

hicks were the worst! I almost went to the doc over it, and then

realized what I had done. When you are about 3 weeks to a month out

from delivery is a good time to drink rasberry tea. There are other

things you can drink to help with Vitamin C. In fact, REd Bush Tea,

Roobois is great for all that! Helps with hearturn and indigestion,

helps your iron levels, and it helps me with my queasiness that I

experience now. Also, here is an excellent site that is the most

informative that I have seen so far in so far as how many herbs they

list not to take etc.

 

Back to the Rasberry leaf, use it with caution, don't drink ALOT of

it, and remember, everyone is differnt. Now everyone will react the

way I did. I just wanted folks to be informed fully andnot with half

information. THis is not an argument, just information to pass along

from personal experience.

 

Blueowl

[Guest guest]

Hi and hello

 

I have never posted here as I am a sad old lurker LOL

 

But I thought I would email on this. I make soap and toiletries and I am

based in the UK and laws on making and selling these are differnt in the EU

than the US etc.

 

Here if we want to sell any products they have to have a certificate of

safety by a chemist.

 

(sorry just briefly explaining there so you understand where I am coming

from)

 

I have various herbal products certified and I know from speaking to my

chemist that he considers Raspberry leaf one of most dangerous herbs

available.

 

Just thought I would pass it on in case it helps anyone make a decision on

using it.

Tricia

 

 

 

>

> Back to the Rasberry leaf, use it with caution, don't drink ALOT of

> it, and remember, everyone is differnt. Now everyone will react the

> way I did. I just wanted folks to be informed fully andnot with half

> information. THis is not an argument, just information to pass along

> from personal experience.

>

[Guest guest]

Huh!

That's funny,because I know about 10 people who swore by Raspberry

Leaf throughout their pregnancies. Also have seen in reccommended in

just about every herb book I have.

interesting.

Where does he get his opinion from? Does he have any data to back it

up?

I'd like to see it

 

~*Diana~*

list mom

 

, " Patricia Stahlmann "

<stahl wrote:

>

> Hi and hello

>

> I have never posted here as I am a sad old lurker LOL

>

> But I thought I would email on this. I make soap and toiletries

and I am

> based in the UK and laws on making and selling these are differnt

in the EU

> than the US etc.

>

> Here if we want to sell any products they have to have a

certificate of

> safety by a chemist.

>

> (sorry just briefly explaining there so you understand where I am

coming

> from)

>

> I have various herbal products certified and I know from speaking

to my

> chemist that he considers Raspberry leaf one of most dangerous

herbs

> available.

>

> Just thought I would pass it on in case it helps anyone make a

decision on

> using it.

> Tricia

>

>

>

> >

> > Back to the Rasberry leaf, use it with caution, don't drink ALOT

of

> > it, and remember, everyone is differnt. Now everyone will react

the

> > way I did. I just wanted folks to be informed fully andnot with

half

> > information. THis is not an argument, just information to pass

along

> > from personal experience.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

There really are at least 2 opinions on this topic it is true. In the

UK you will also hear more concern about using Red Raspberry leaf

during pregnancy- especially early on or with women with a history of

miscarriage. In the US you rarely hear this opinion among herbalists.

It is a uterine tonic and in my opinion it is to be used with care

during pregnancy. I'd wait until the third trimester or close to labor

and not use with women with any history of miscarriage until full term.

It's a wonderful herb! Many will disagree with these cautions and use

it throughout pregnancy. I do personally know women who have had

contractions after taking it earlier in pregnancy- although I don't

think it is common. For sure a great herb closer to full term and

after.

 

 

 

Elizabeth

Whole Life Essentials

http://www.WholeLifeEssentials.com

Whole Life Coach

http://www.WholeLifeCoach.com

 

 

 

On Mar 17, 2006, at 1:12 PM, Diana wrote:

 

> Huh!

> That's funny,because I know about 10 people who swore by Raspberry

> Leaf throughout their pregnancies. Also have seen in reccommended in

> just about every herb book I have.

> interesting.

> Where does he get his opinion from? Does he have any data to back it

> up?

> I'd like to see it

>

>

> ~*Diana~*

> list mom

>

> , " Patricia Stahlmann "

> <stahl wrote:

> >

> > Hi and hello

> >

> > I have never posted here as I am a sad old lurker LOL

> >

> > But I thought I would email on this.  I make soap and toiletries

> and  I am

> > based in the UK and laws on making and selling these are differnt

> in the EU

> > than the US etc.

> >

> > Here if we want to sell any products they have to have a

> certificate of

> > safety by a chemist.

> >

> > (sorry just briefly explaining there so you understand where I am

> coming

> > from)

> >

> > I have various herbal products certified and I know from speaking

> to my

> > chemist that he considers Raspberry leaf one of most dangerous

> herbs

> > available.

> >

> > Just thought I would pass it on in case it helps anyone make a

> decision on

> > using it.

> > Tricia

> >

> >

> >

> > >

> > > Back to the Rasberry leaf, use it with caution, don't drink ALOT

> of

> > > it, and remember, everyone is differnt. Now everyone will react

> the

> > > way I did. I just wanted folks to be informed fully andnot with

> half

> > > information. THis is not an argument, just information to pass

> along

> > > from personal experience.

> > >

> >

[Guest guest]

Just because it worked for 10 people doesn't mean it works for everybody. Herbs work the same way modern drugs do, everyone is different. But people need to be informed on both sides of the issues. Yes it is recommended for alot of women, but there are a few places that say it shouldn't be taken in the beginning but towards the end of the pregnancy. Blueowl Diana <joseanddiana wrote: Huh!That's funny,because I know about 10 people who swore by Raspberry Leaf throughout their pregnancies. Also have seen in reccommended in just about every herb book I have.interesting.Where does he get his opinion from? Does he have any data to back it up?I'd like to see it:)~*Diana~*list mom , "Patricia Stahlmann"

<stahl wrote:>> Hi and hello> > I have never posted here as I am a sad old lurker LOL> > But I thought I would email on this. I make soap and toiletries and I am > based in the UK and laws on making and selling these are differnt in the EU > than the US etc.> > Here if we want to sell any products they have to have a certificate of > safety by a chemist.> > (sorry just briefly explaining there so you understand where I am coming > from)> > I have various herbal products certified and I know from speaking to my > chemist that he considers Raspberry leaf one of most dangerous herbs > available.> > Just thought I would pass it on in case it helps anyone make a decision on > using it.> Tricia> > > > >> > Back to the Rasberry leaf, use it

with caution, don't drink ALOT of> > it, and remember, everyone is differnt. Now everyone will react the> > way I did. I just wanted folks to be informed fully andnot with half> > information. THis is not an argument, just information to pass along> > from personal experience.> >>

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[Guest guest]

HA! Thank you! I knew I wan't getting to pregnant stupid yet! ( I am preggers with number 2 now! ) Blueowl Elizabeth wrote: There really are at least 2 opinions on this topic it is true. In the UK you will also hear more concern about using Red Raspberry leaf during pregnancy- especially early on or with women with a history of miscarriage. In the US you rarely hear this opinion among herbalists. It is a uterine tonic and in my opinion it is to be used with care during pregnancy. I'd wait until the third trimester or close to labor and not use with women with any history of miscarriage until full term. It's a wonderful herb! Many will disagree with these cautions and use it throughout pregnancy. I do personally know women who have had contractions after taking

it earlier in pregnancy- although I don't think it is common. For sure a great herb closer to full term and after.ElizabethWhole Life Essentialshttp://www.WholeLifeEssentials.comWhole Life Coachhttp://www.WholeLifeCoach.comOn Mar 17, 2006, at 1:12 PM, Diana wrote:> Huh!> That's funny,because I know about 10 people who swore by Raspberry> Leaf throughout their pregnancies. Also have seen in reccommended in> just about every herb book I have.> interesting.> Where does he get his opinion from? Does he have any data to back it> up?> I'd like to see it> >> ~*Diana~*> list mom>> , "Patricia Stahlmann"> wrote:> >> > Hi and hello> >> > I have never posted here as I am a sad old lurker LOL> >> > But I thought I would

email on this. I make soap and toiletries> and I am> > based in the UK and laws on making and selling these are differnt> in the EU> > than the US etc.> >> > Here if we want to sell any products they have to have a> certificate of> > safety by a chemist.> >> > (sorry just briefly explaining there so you understand where I am> coming> > from)> >> > I have various herbal products certified and I know from speaking> to my> > chemist that he considers Raspberry leaf one of most dangerous> herbs> > available.> >> > Just thought I would pass it on in case it helps anyone make a> decision on> > using it.> > Tricia> >> >> >> > >> > > Back to the Rasberry leaf, use it with caution, don't drink ALOT> of>

> > it, and remember, everyone is differnt. Now everyone will react> the> > > way I did. I just wanted folks to be informed fully andnot with> half> > > information. THis is not an argument, just information to pass> along> > > from personal experience.> > >> >

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[Guest guest]

Hi

 

It was a long time ago I had this conversation but will see what I can find

out and let you know.

 

Tricia

 

 

> Where does he get his opinion from? Does he have any data to back it

> up?

> I'd like to see it

[Guest guest]

Hi

 

This is no doubt true of many of the things we use as we have to have a certificate of safety with all our products and the chemist's have to be very careful and err on the side of caution I suspect. Plus the laws on herbs used are about to or have changed recently.

Tricia

 

]There really are at least 2 opinions on this topic it is true. In the UK you will also hear more concern about using Red Raspberry leaf during pregnancy- especially early on or with women with a history of miscarriage. In the US you rarely hear this opinion among herbalists.

 

[Guest guest]

Greetings & MM! When I was pregnant with my last 2 my uterine cells

became weak when " assisting " in creating amniotic fluid. Despite

drinking a ton of water we weren't seeing any change. I discussed

this with my herbalism instructor and she suggested oat straw,

nettles and raspberry leaf. I drank 8 quarts of this daily. I

turned the situation around and no hospitalization. During the C-

section I heard the surgeons discussing how my uterus was resuming

it's original shape AS THEY WERE SEWING. It was the raspberry

leaf. I requested no morphine (makes me itch)and used lavender EO

on the incision immediately-NO PAIN PILLS.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Megan (CelticPhoenix)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

, " Sarah " <isw21377

wrote:

>

> Earlier this week, I had asked about the use of Rasberry leaf. I

was

> told that it shouldn't harm anything. Now from personal experience

> and my own research, ( this is why I have not been able to let

this

> go) is this, my gf who has been a greenwitch for 30 plus years,

> looked around and I am correct. Do not use Rasberry leaf in your

1st

> and 2nd trimesters. The reason being is its good to get your

uterus

> contracting and ready for the baby to come, but to do this early

on

> in the pregnancy can cause alot of discomfort and some problems.

Now

> I know this to be true. With my first daughter, I drank a cup of

tea

> in my second trimester (month 4 and month 6) both times, my

braxton

> hicks were the worst! I almost went to the doc over it, and then

> realized what I had done. When you are about 3 weeks to a month

out

> from delivery is a good time to drink rasberry tea. There are

other

> things you can drink to help with Vitamin C. In fact, REd Bush

Tea,

> Roobois is great for all that! Helps with hearturn and

indigestion,

> helps your iron levels, and it helps me with my queasiness that I

> experience now. Also, here is an excellent site that is the most

> informative that I have seen so far in so far as how many herbs

they

> list not to take etc.

>

> Back to the Rasberry leaf, use it with caution, don't drink ALOT

of

> it, and remember, everyone is differnt. Now everyone will react

the

> way I did. I just wanted folks to be informed fully andnot with

half

> information. THis is not an argument, just information to pass

along

> from personal experience.

>

> Blueowl

>

[Guest guest]

Many people don't realise that herbs need to be treated with respect and, if

abused, are certainly NOT harmless. In order to heal, herbs have to have

pharmacalogical activity and the more powerful this activity is, the more

care needs to be taken with cautions for individual herbs.

 

The following is an excerpt from one of my books:

 

RASPBERRY Rubus idaeus

Also known as red raspberry, hindleberry, wild raspberry

 

The best known property of this herb is as a uterine to strengthen the

tissue of the uterus in preparation for labour where it will assist

contractions. Drink a tea made from the leaves during the last trimester,

starting with two cups a day and increasing to four cups. Sip

the tea during labour to decrease the risk of haemorrhage.

 

Pregnancy tea To be used only after the second trimester.

1 part dried dandelion root, very finely crushed

1 part dried dandelion leaf

1 part dried raspberry leaf

1 part dried nettle leaf.

Crumble the leaves to the texture of tea leaves. Mix the together.

Drink 1 cup of the tea 3 times daily.

Dandelion root and leaf are rich sources of vitamins and minerals, including

beta-carotene, calcium, potassium, and iron.

Dandelion leaf is mildly diuretic; it also stimulates bile flow and helps

with the common digestive complaints of pregnancy. Dandelion root tones the

liver.

Raspberry leaf is rich in vitamins and minerals (especially iron), it tones

the uterus, increases milk flow, and restores the mother's system after

childbirth.

Nettle leaf provides the minerals calcium and iron, is mildly diuretic, and

aids in the elimination of excess water from tissues.

Nettle enriches and increases the flow of breast milk and restores the

mother's energy following childbirth.

 

Go well,

 

Nerys

NEW! The Magic of Essential Oils E-Book

Bodycraft E-Book

Herbal Healing E-Book

www.neryspurchon.com

[Guest guest]

Hey Megan! Thanks for this. I still stick with my original statement, I know what I experienced, I know what I have read on both sides of this discussion 3 years ago and today, I still think that Rasberry leaf should be used in the last trimester, not the 1st or 2nd. Also, everyone is different. So for some women, its good to use it and for others it isn't a good idea. If you drink a rasberry tea and feel ALOT of contracting going on and discomfort, stop using it, and if not, then by all means keep rolling with it. Also, you were MIXING the rasberry leaf with other herbs, so in context, you weren't using as much rasberry leaf as say someone who was just using Rasberry leaf alone. SarahMegan <celticphoenix62 wrote: Greetings & MM! When I was pregnant with my last 2 my

uterine cells became weak when "assisting" in creating amniotic fluid. Despite drinking a ton of water we weren't seeing any change. I discussed this with my herbalism instructor and she suggested oat straw, nettles and raspberry leaf. I drank 8 quarts of this daily. I turned the situation around and no hospitalization. During the C-section I heard the surgeons discussing how my uterus was resuming it's original shape AS THEY WERE SEWING. It was the raspberry leaf. I requested no morphine (makes me itch)and used lavender EO on the incision immediately-NO PAIN PILLS.Hope this helps,Megan (CelticPhoenix) , "Sarah" <isw21377 wrote:>> Earlier this week, I had asked about the use of Rasberry leaf. I was > told that it shouldn't harm anything. Now from personal experience > and my

own research, ( this is why I have not been able to let this > go) is this, my gf who has been a greenwitch for 30 plus years, > looked around and I am correct. Do not use Rasberry leaf in your 1st > and 2nd trimesters. The reason being is its good to get your uterus > contracting and ready for the baby to come, but to do this early on > in the pregnancy can cause alot of discomfort and some problems. Now > I know this to be true. With my first daughter, I drank a cup of tea > in my second trimester (month 4 and month 6) both times, my braxton > hicks were the worst! I almost went to the doc over it, and then > realized what I had done. When you are about 3 weeks to a month out > from delivery is a good time to drink rasberry tea. There are other > things you can drink to help with Vitamin C. In fact, REd Bush Tea, > Roobois is great for all that! Helps with

hearturn and indigestion, > helps your iron levels, and it helps me with my queasiness that I > experience now. Also, here is an excellent site that is the most > informative that I have seen so far in so far as how many herbs they > list not to take etc. > > Back to the Rasberry leaf, use it with caution, don't drink ALOT of > it, and remember, everyone is differnt. Now everyone will react the > way I did. I just wanted folks to be informed fully andnot with half > information. THis is not an argument, just information to pass along > from personal experience. > > Blueowl>

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