Postpartum refers to the period after the birth. A considerate conception (getting healthy before pregnancy), health pregnancy and birth can lead to a healthy postpartum.
Herbal medicine offers wonderful support during this time of great joy.
- Heal and restore the reproductive organs whether the birth is natural or caesarian section;
- Recover from blood loss;
- Recover from exhaustion (they don’t call it labor for nothing);
- Support healthy milk flow and
- It is also the period where a mother faces sleepless nights and the constant physical and emotional responsibilities of a new baby.
The following are my favourite herbs. Speak to a qualified Naturopath or Herbalist to dispense these herbs, as some are practitioner only. Others can be consumed as delicious teas.
Nettle
Botanical name: Urticara dioica folia
Part used: Aerial parts
Traditionally used as a nutritive tonic during pregnancy and post partum (excellent for blood loss). It also encourages milk flow.
Other health benefits: Seasonal allergies, rhinitis, sinusitis, arthritis, bronchitis, bursitis, gingivitis, laryngitis, prostatitis, tendinitis, rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions. Hair loss, anaemia, excessive menstruation, eczema, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, asthma, bladder infections, hives, kidney stones, PMS and sciatica.
Drink as a tea (dose: steep one teaspoon per cup of boiled water for 5 minutes and drink three times per day) or take as a tonic.
Fennel
Botanical name: Foeniculum vulgare
Part used: Fruit
Traditionally used to support milk flow, it is also soothing to baby colic with its health benefits coming through breast milk.
Fennel is also used for intestinal colic, flatulent dyspepsia and pharyngitis.
Drink as a tea (dose: steep one teaspoon per cup of boiled water for 5 minutes and drink three times per day) or take as a tonic.
Chamomile
Botanical name: Chamomilla recutita
Part used: Flower
Traditionally used to calm the constitution during and after stress.
Chamomile also aids many gastrointestinal disorders such as indigestion, colic, abdominal pain, nausea, and decreased bile flow. Also an anti-spasmodic for the muscles, anti-allergic, and anti-microbial it is useful in treating upper respiratory tract conditions and allergies. The sedative actions are also useful for anxiety and insomnia.
Drink as a tea (dose: steep one teaspoon per cup of boiled water for 5 minutes and drink three times per day) or take as a tonic.
Dill Seed
Botanical name: Anethum graveolens
Part used: Seed
Similar to fennel seed, it is found in many teas, which encourage milk flow.
Also indicated for infantile colic (it’s health benefits coming through breast milk), indigestion and gastritis.
Drink as a tea (dose: steep one teaspoon per cup of boiled water for 5 minutes and drink three times per day) or take as a tonic.
Winter cherry or Indian ginseng
Botanical name: Withania somnifera
Part used: Root
Traditionally used to support recovery from birth, acting as a rich iron and general nutritive tonic. It is also indicated for exhaustion, debility, convalescence, anxiety and recovery from chronic infection or illness.
Take as tonic.
Fenugreek
Botanical name: Triognella foenum-graecum
Part used: Seed
Traditionally used as tea or food to encourage milk flow. It also acts as a nutritive, indicated for debility and convalescence, regulates blood sugar levels and soothes an inflamed tummy.
Take as tea (dose: steep one teaspoon per cup of boiled water for 5 minutes and drink three times per day), tonic or add to foods. Tastes like curry.
Next week we will review the use of Naturopathic remedies in Postpartum Depression.