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HERBAL ALLIES FOR PREGNANCY PROBLEMS
Susun Weed
Wise women believe that most of the problems of pregnancy can
be prevented by attention to nutrition. Morning sickness and mood
swings are connected to low blood sugar; backaches and severe labor
pains often result from insufficient calcium; varicose veins, hemorrhoids,
constipation, skin discoloration and anemia are evidence of lack
of specific nutrients; preeclampsia, the most severe problem of
pregnancy, is a form of acute malnutrition. Excellent nutrition
includes pure water, controlled breath, abundant light, loving
and respectful relationships, beauty and harmony in daily life,
joyous thoughts and vital foodstuffs.
During pregnancy nutrients are required to create the cells needed
to form two extra pounds of uterine muscle, the nerves, bones,
organs, muscles, glands and skin of the fetus, several pounds of
amniotic fluid, a placenta and a 50 percent increase in blood volume.
In addition, extra kidney and liver cells are needed to process
the waste of' two beings instead of one.
Wild foods and organically grown produce, grains and herbs are
the best source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients needed
during pregnancy. All the better if the expectant mother can get
out and gather her own herbs: stretching, bending, breathing, moving,
touching the earth, taking time to talk with the plants and to
open herself to their spiritual world.
TONICS DURING PREGNANCY
Wise women have recommended herbal tonics for childbearing for
thousands of years. These herbs are empirically safe and notably
effective. Tonic herbs improve general health by balancing
and sustaining energy flow and focus in the body.
Tonics allay annoyances and prevent major problems. They can
boost the supply of vital minerals and vitamins, increase
energy and
improve uterine tone. Some uterine tonics are contraindicated
during pregnancy or are restricted to the last few weeks
of pregnancy.
The tonics indicated for pregnancy need to be used regularly;
a tonic is to the cells much as exercise is to the muscles:
not much
use when done erratically. Of course even occasional use
of tonics during pregnancy will be of benefit, since they do
contain nourishing
factors. Better benefit will come from using them 5 times
a
week or more.
Some simple suggestions to get into the habit of' using
tonics: pregnant women could replace the morning cup
of coffee with
a rich Nettle infusion. Or she could brew up some raspberry
leaf
tea and
put it in the refrigerator to drink instead of soda,
wine, or beer. Wild greens can be added to the diet. Women
in
many cultures
have
used the following herbs for centuries to have a healthier
pregnancy.
RED RASPBERRY LEAVES (Rubus spp.)
Brewed as a tea or as an infusion, raspberry is the best known,
most widely used, and safest of all uterine and pregnancy tonic
herbs. It contains fragrine, an alkaloid which gives tone to
the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus itself.
Most of the benefits ascribed to regular use of Raspberry tea
through pregnancy are traced to the nourishing source of
vitamins and minerals
found in this plant and to the strengthening power of fragrine
- an alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic
region, including the uterus itself. Of special note are the
rich concentration
of vitamin C, the presence of vitamin E and the easily assimilated
calcium and iron. Raspberry leaves also contain vitamins A
and B complex and many minerals, including phosphorous and
potassium.
The benefits of drinking a raspberry leaf brew before and throughout
pregnancy include:
- Increasing fertility in both men and women. Raspberry leaf
is an excellent fertility herb when combined with Red Clover.
- Preventing miscarriage and hemorrhage. Raspberry leaf
tones the uterus and helps prevent miscarriage and
postpartum hemorrhage
from a relaxed or atonic uterus.
- Easing of morning sickness. Many attest to raspberry
leaves' gentle relief of nausea and stomach distress
throughout pregnancy.
- Reducing pain during labor and after birth. By
toning the muscles used during labor and delivery,
Raspberry
leaf eliminates
many
of the reasons for a painful delivery and prolonged
recovery. It does not, however, counter the pain
of pelvic dilation.
- Assisting in the production of plentiful breast
milk. The high mineral content of Raspberry leaf
assist in
milk production,
but its astringency may counter that for some
women.
- Providing a safe and speedy pariuntion. Raspberry
leaf works to encourage the uterus to let go
and function without
tension.
It does not strengthen contractions, but does
allow the contracting uterus to work more effectively
and so may
make the birth
easier and faster.
NETTLE LEAVES (Urtica Dioca)
Less well known as a pregnancy tonic but deserving
a kinder reputation and use, Urtica is
one of the finest nourishing
tonics known.
It is reputed to have more chlorophyll
than any other herb. The list
of vitamins and minerals in this herb includes
nearly every one known to necessary for
human health and
growth.
Vitamins A, C, D and K, calcium, potassium,
phosphorous, iron and sulphur are particularly
abundant in
nettles. The infusion
is a
dark green color approaching black. The
taste is deep and rich. If you are blessed
with
a nettle patch near
you,
use the fresh
plant as a pot herb in the spring.
Some pregnant women alternate weeks of
nettle and raspberry brews; others
drink raspberry
until the
last month
and then switch to
nettles to insure large amounts of
vitamin K in the blood before birth. The benefits
of drinking
nettle
infusion
before and
throughout pregnancy include:
- Aiding the kidneys. Nettle infusions
were instrumental in rebuilding the
kidneys of
a woman who was
told she would have
to be put
on a dialysis machine. Since the
kidneys must cleanse 150 percent of the normal
blood supply
for most
of the pregnancy,
nettle's
ability to nourish and strengthen
them is of major importance. Any accumulation
of
minerals
in the
kidneys, such as gravel
or stones, is gently loosened, dissolved
and eliminated by the consistent
use of nettle infusions.
- Increasing fertility in women
and men.
- Nourishing mother and fetus.
- Easing leg cramps and other
spasms.
- Diminishing pain during
and after birth. The high
calcium
content,
which is readily
assimilated,
helps
diminish muscle
pains in
the uterus, in the legs
and elsewhere.
- Preventing hemorrhage
after birth. Nettle is
a superb
source of vitamin
K, and increases
available
hemoglobin,
both of
which decrease the likelihood
of postpartum hemorrhage.
Fresh Nettle
Juice, in teaspoon doses,
slows postpartum bleeding.
- Reducing hemorrhoids.
Nettle's mild astringency
and general
nourishing action tightens
and strengthens blood
vessels, helps maintain
arterial
elasticity and improves
venous resilience.
- Increasing the richness
and amount of breast
milk.
CALCIUM
Of course calcium is a mineral, not an herbal tonic, but it is
so important during pregnancy and throughout our woman lives
that I consider it a tonic. Lack of adequate calcium during
pregnancy
is associated with muscle cramps, backache, high blood pressure,
intense labor and afterbirth pains, osteoporosis, tooth problems,
and preeclampsia. Calcium assimilation is governed by exercise, stress, acidity
during digestion, availability of' Vitamin C, A and especially
D, and availability of magnesium and phosphorous in the body and
the diet. Getting 1000 to 2000 mg of calcium every day is not hard
with the help of Wise Woman herbs:
- The best food sources of calcium are fish dairy products,
but there is controversy about the assimilability of calcium
from pasteurized,
homogenized milk. My preferred food sources include goat milk
and goat cheese, salmon, sardines, mackerel, seaweed (especially
kelp),
sesame salt (gomasio), tahini and dark leafy greens Such as turnip
tops, beet greens and kale.
- There are roughly 2(X) grams of' calcium in two ounces
of nuts (excluding peanuts), one ounce of dried seaweed,
two ounces of
carob powder, one ounce of cheese, half a cup of cooked greens,
(kale, collards and especially dandelion) half a cup of milk,
three eggs, four ounces of fish, or one tablespoon of molasses.
- Most wild greens are exceptionally rich in calcium arid
the factors need for calcium absorption and use. lambs
quarters, mallow, galinsoga,
shepherd's purse, knotweed, bidens, amaranth and dandelion
leaves
all supply more calcium per 100 grams than does milk.
- Bones soaked in apple cider vinegar release their calcium
into the acidic vinegar. A tablespoon of this vinegar
in a glass of
water supplies needed calcium and relieves morning sickness
too.
- Many fruits are rich in calcium (though not as rich
as the above foods). Dried dates, figs raisins, prunes,
papaya
and elderberries
are the best source.
- Raspberry leaf infusion contains calcium in its most
assimilable form. Assimilation is further enhanced
by the presence of
phosphorous and vitamins A and C in the raspberry
leaves.
- Fresh parsley and watercress are available in most
grocery stores year round. They are both good sources
of many minerals
and vitamins,
including calcium, phosphorous, vitamin A and vitamin
C.
- Nettle Infusion supplies calcium and phosphorous,
vitamin A and the vital vitamin D, in a readily
assimilable form.
- Foods that are thought to interfere with absorption
of calcium should be avoided: spinach, chocolate,
rhubarb and brewer's yeast.
- Do not use bone meal or oyster shell tablets
as sources of supplemental calcium. They
have been found
to be
high in lead,
mercury, cadmium
and other toxic metals.
TONICS TO USE WITH CAUTION
Squaw Vine (Mitchella repens), Blue Cohosh (Caulophyflum
thalicotroides), and Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
all should be avoided
until the last 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy. Even then, they should
be used only when indicated, and under the supervision of someone
experienced in their use. Some midwives report that the Cohoshes
must be used together (not interchangeably). Others have reported
premature labor when Blue Cohosh was taken in combination with
Pennyroyal. False Unicorn Root (Helonias dioica), Dong Quai
(Angelica spp.) and PN6 capsules are considered too strong
for use during
pregnancy.
I harvest the flowering stalks when they are fully formed;
and I am careful to use the cultivated garden comfrey, which
grows
very tall and has purplish, pinkish, bluish flowers. I avoid
wild comfrey which stays rather small, even when flowering,
and has
cream-colored, white, or yellowish flowers. Some people feel that comfrey is not safe to use during pregnancy.
Some people feel comfrey is not safe to use internally at all.
I disagree. The roots of comfrey do contain compounds that are
best avoided during pregnancy. (As do all parts of the wild plant.)
In fact, I rarely use comfrey root because of the possibility of
liver congestion, and I strongly caution those who have had hepatitis,
chemotherapy, or alcohol problems to strictly avoid comfrey root.
Yet even these people can benefit from use of comfrey leaf infusions.
- Another important herbal ally for women over forty who
desire a child is chaste tree (Vitex agnus-casti). It
has been used in
Africa and parts of Europe for several thousand years to discourage
the male libido. In women, the effects seem to be the opposite!
It may also be a fertility enhancer. Most importantly, chaste
tree is a strengthening tonic for the pituitary gland,
the master control
gland for the endocrine system. Daily use of the tincture of
the berries (1 dropperful/1 ml 2-3 times daily) had been
shown to increase
progesterone--the hormone of pregnancy--and luteinizing hormone--which
promotes conception. Because it can lower prolactin levels, chaste
tree is best discontinues during the last trimester of pregnancy.
- Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is not recommended
for women over forty. In general, this herb promotes
blood flow to the
uterus
and surrounding tissues. This can promote the growth of
fibroids and increase the risk of post-partum hemorrhage.
Ginger is a
better warming tonic; motherwort is better at relieving
pain; and raspberry
is better at preparing the uterus for birth.
Susun Weed. www.susunweed.com and www.ashtreepublishing.com
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun S. Weed: Simple,
safe remedies for pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and newborns.
Includes herbs for fertility and birth control. Foreword by Jeannine
Parvati Baker. 196 pages, index, illustrations. Order at: www.ashtreepublishing.com
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