Herb/Supplement |
Necessary For |
| Blessed
Thistle |
This herb is helpful with menstrual complaints, symptoms associated with PMS, and
difficult menstruation through support of hormone regulation. Blessed Thistle also helps
to increase a nursing mother's milk supply.  |
| Dandelion and Nettles
|
These teas
are even said to prevent the development of high blood pressure and water retention, which
add up to a potentially dangerous condition during pregnancy known as eclampsia |
| Cayenne or Yarrow |
A tincture of,
cayenne or yarrow will slow postpartum bleeding. When a friend gave birth, I saw how
effective cayenne can be as her bleeding stopped after she swallowed two capsules. |
| Fenugreek |
The seeds of this plant have been used since biblical times to stimulate milk
flow. They contain phytoestrogens—chemicals that behave similarly to the hormone
estrogen. In particular, diosgenin increased milk flow in a preliminary test.
The seeds are quite bitter; nursing moms may find that capsules are preferable to teas or
tinctures. |
| Fennel |
Fennel seeds also have estrogen-like effects, as well as a long history of use to
promote milk flow. |
| Nettles |
Long used by nursing mothers, nettle roots may have an effect on hormones,
enhancing milk production. |
| Red Raspberry |
Many women today rely upon raspberry leaf tea as a tonic herb during the late
stages of pregnancy.
It seems to help prevent morning sickness, tone uterine muscles, reduce pain during labor,
and ease childbirth. |
| Wild yam and Chamomile |
Wild yam
and chamomile are safe herbs to help you relax and to reduce any pain due to muscle
problems. American spikenard, an herb related to ginseng, helps to reduce lower back pain,
a common complaint of pregnant women. If sore breasts and water retention trouble you, a
tea of wild yam and dandelion might relieve both. |
| Vitex and Wild yam |
- If miscarriage threatens (clues include uterine
cramping and spotting) or if you have had miscarriages before, there are herbs that can
stop cramping and spotting. Vitex and Wild Yam is important because it promotes
progesterone production, and the other herbs are good because they stop uterine cramps.
|
