Herbs for Pregnancy
Natural Medicine in the Modern Age
By Johnathon Allen

For centuries before the emergence of modern medicine, children were born at home into the hands of midwives and the mothers were assisted throughout pregnancy with widely available herbs and homeopathic remedies.

Though modern medicine has gone on to supplant nearly every natural remedy on earth with a synthetic substitute, the herbal tinctures and formulas traditionally used for pregnancy are still an effective way for mothers to deal with the discomfort and nutritional issues encountered during pregnancy.

"Traditional midwives have worked with herbs for centuries and their accumulated wisdom has been passed down through the ages," says Sudi Storm, a traditional midwife and herbalist from Ashland, Ore. "Today, we know more than ever before about what herbs and homeopathics work for different situations. Ironically, herbs are often better, cheaper and healthier than their modern medicinal counterparts."

According to Storm, there are a number of conditions a mother is likely to experience throughout her pregnancy that can be alleviated with the use of herbal supplements and a focused diet. For example, when a doctor might suggest a mother with heartburn use antacid tablets, an herbalist is likely to suggest a more natural approach.

"Antacids are very toxic to the system and do not heal the digestive imbalances that many pregnant women experience as a result of hormonal changes," Storm says. "Over the long run, antacids can actually make digestive problems worse. In this situation, we usually recommend a liquid calcium magnesium supplement, such as the one offered by NF Formulas, or digestive enzymes to help a mother find relief."

Birth Herbs
Storm, who has been an herbalist for more than 10 years and a midwife for more than five, says some of the most useful herbs for pregnant mothers are:

• Red Raspberry Leaf. This is an herb rich in numerous vitamins and minerals, especially iron. It also nourishes the uterus, soothes nausea, helps prevent miscarriage, eases labor pains and builds a healthy breastmilk supply.
• Nettles. This contains high levels of calcium, iron and protein, and is an excellent herb for nourishing mothers who are feeling depleted.
• Oatstraw. This is high in calcium and magnesium. It also calms nervous stress and tension, and is an effective remedy for yeast infections.
• Alfalfa. This is one of the few plant sources of vitamin K (necessary for blood clotting). It also contains eight digestive enzymes, numerous trace minerals and high quantities of vitamins A, D and E.
• Chamomile. This is a great calming agent and helps with digestive disorders including nausea. It also has some anti-inflammatory properties.
• Rose Hips. These are a great source of vitamin C and help fight infection and exhaustion.

Storm explains that the properties for these herbs are best extracted by making infusions. "Make a 'tea' with the herbs and let it sit overnight, then strain it and drink it hot or cold throughout the day," she says.

"Tea infusions really helped me keep my energy up during the first trimester," says Shami Cook, a mother from Ashland, Ore. "I had a hard time eating enough food during my pregnancy and the infusions seemed to pick me up when nothing else would. Our midwife gave me a custom herbal blend that contained nettles, rose hips, chamomile and red raspberry, among other things."

Eat Right – Feel Right
In addition to using herbal supplements, midwives and herbalists also stress the importance of a healthy diet for helping mothers have a smooth birth experience.

For example, a medical doctor might prescribe anti-nausea medication for something such as morning sickness, while a midwife would suggest several small meals that combine protein with carbohydrates – such as a tuna sandwich, cheese and crackers, or peanut butter and celery – and one quart of herbal tea infusion featuring nettles, oatstraw and alfalfa.

"We find that the main causes of morning sickness are low blood sugar and vitamin B deficiency, so frequent protein meals and vitamin B supplements usually eliminate the discomfort and nausea associated with the first trimester," Storm says.

In the case of anemia, a doctor may prescribe iron pills which, according to Storm, are not easily assimilated by the body and can cause constipation. The natural approach would be to ingest more iron-rich foods such as blackstrap molasses, raisins, dried apricots, eggs and kelp tablets. Good herbal sources for iron include nettles, yellow dock, dandelion root and parsley. Storm explains that it's also important to have adequate co-intake of the things needed for iron assimilation: calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, magnesium, copper, folic acid and hydrochloric acid.

Herbs for Baby
There are also a number of herbal compounds that are good to have on hand after a baby is born. Storm provides her mothers with a special colic compound that contains glycerin extracts of chamomile, lavender, lemon balm and fennel seed.

"This is a good all-around tincture to have available," she explains. "It helps calm fussy babies and soothes upset stomachs."

She also suggests that new mothers have an immuno-booster on hand with Echinacea, yarrow and chamomile suspended in a glycerin extract. For respiratory distress, a compound with horehound, mullein and wild cherry bark in glycerin extract is often effective.

"It's also good to have an ointment for diaper rash and other skin irritations that contains comfrey, calendula and vitamin E," Storm says. "Parents should never use ointments with a petroleum base or mineral oil because it's bad for the skin and not absorbable."

Storm recommends that mothers not take herbs on their own, but consult with a health care provider who is knowledgeable and experienced in their use.

"Naturopaths, homeopaths and herbalists are reliable sources of information on herbal medicine and homeopathics, however many of them are not experts in pregnancy and newborns. Traditional midwives are the ones who have expertise in this area."

 

Want to see more? Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy Midwifery Today The Art of Prenatal Massage Guide to Pregnancy Tests and Procedures Supplements During Pregnancy: Are They Necessary? Pregnancy Today MomsTalk Discussion Board

About the Author: Johnathon Allen is a writer who lives with his wife and two children in Oregon where they happily maintain one black cat, an organic garden, and an intentionally car-free lifestyle.