The Doula Collective

Holistic

Herbs Used In Pregnancy

HERBS AND PREGNANCY The following is help for those trying to get pregnant, already pregnant, or about to experience the blessed event. Once again, please seek the assistance of a qualified person before taking these herbs. Use at your own risk. Fertility The first place to start is at the beginning. Below are some things that will help to improve your fertility when the decision is made to go from a couple to a family. First, you need to check with a physician to determine where the infertility problem lies. Many things can affect fertility for both the man and the woman. A few tests will go a long way to preventing a lot of hair-pulling and finger-pointing. If sperm count is low, a quick solution is to wear boxers instead of briefs. Sperm needs to be cooler than the body temperature to form properly. Uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, stress, age - all have a factor in fertility for women, and these situations need to be addressed and treated before embarking on an herbal treatment for fertility. You should not be in such a hurry to get pregnant that you put yourself or your fetus in any kind of danger. Fertility Tonic * 2 parts ho shou wu * 1 part astragalus root * 1 part dong quai root (substitute ginseng for men) * 2 parts false unicorn root * 3 parts wild yam root * 1 part vitex berries * 1 part squaw vine * 1 part cinnamon The tonic may be used in tincture (3/4 teaspoon daily), capsule (3 capsules twice per day), or tea (one cup three times per day) form. Use daily for up to 3 months. During this time, change your lifestyle to include plenty of exercise, rest, and above all, a healthy diet. Take a multivitamin every day, as well as bee pollen. Your life is a direct reflection of what is going on in your body, both male and female. Take stock and change what you should to aid in overcoming the infertility. And remember - sometimes trying too hard can make it difficult to conceive! Herbs During Pregnancy These are herbs that will help the mother and baby in the early development stages. Black Haw - used in the early stages of pregnancy to help prevent miscarriage Blessed Thistle - used in the latter stages of pregnancy as a liver tonic and builder, as well as a stimulant of blood flow to the mammaries, and used to increase milk production; also reduces hemorrhaging during childbirth Burdock Root - has a high concentration of vitamins and minerals and is a liver booster Chamomile - lifts the spirits and calms the nerves, used for digestive disorders during pregnancy, is combined with ginger to help morning sickness, and has a high calcium content as well as an anti-inflammatory aid Dandelion - greens and root - a high source of vitamins and minerals, aids digestion, nourishes and tones the system, diuretic, useful for fatigue and exhaustion, liver booster Ginger Root - used for morning sickness and digestive problems, safe during pregnancy for treating colds, sore throats, and congestion Kelp - high in vitamins and minerals, aids thyroid Nettle Leaf - rich in many vitamins and minerals, especially iron, so it is very useful for those suffering from chronic fatigue and exhaustion due to low iron, aids in enriching and stimulating flow of milk; good for use throughout all stages of the pregnancy Red Raspberry Leaf - tones and nourishes the uterine muscles, rich in vitamins and minerals, enriches and increases milk flow, restores the system after childbirth; good for the entire pregnancy Spirulina - high in vitamins and nutrients Bee Products - - royal jelly, propolis, bee pollen, raw honey - many nutritional benefits Always remember to eat a very healthy diet when pregnant and/or nursing!

Herbs To Avoid

Herbs to avoid in pregnancy

The following list of herbs are considered unsafe to use internally during pregnancy due either to their actions on reproductive organs or because of certain naturally-occurring substances found in them. Herbs listed as anthraquinone laxatives should be avoided due to their stimulating effects on smooth muscle which can include uterine tissue causing a potential miscarriage. Herbs listed as uterine stimulants should be avoided for the same reason. Herbs listed as abortifacients have a strong potential to cause a miscarriage. Herbs listed as emmenagogues help promote and regulate menstruation, something to avoid in pregnancy. The herbs listed as having alkaloids, bitter principles or essential oils in them should not be used because of the effects these principles have on functions in the body of the mother or the fetus. Culinary herbs like oregano and thyme are safe in the small amounts used in cooking but not in the larger doses used for teas or tinctures. If you are unsure about an herb or what a safe amount is, it is best to avoid the herb or seek the advice of a herbal practitioner or naturopath.

• Aloe (Aloe spp.) - anthraquinone laxative

• American Mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum) - uterine stimulant; abortifacient

• Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) - alkaloids and bitter principles

• Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) - uterine stimulant; may use to prepare for labor in last 5-6 weeks of pregnancy

• Blue Cohosh (first 2 trimesters) (Caulophyllum thalictroides) - uterine stimulant; may use to prepare for labor in last 5-6 weeks of pregnancy; black cohosh is better choice

• Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) - uterine stimulant; alkaloids and bitter principles

• Buckthorm (Rhamnus cathartica) - anthraquinone laxative

• Calamus (Acorus calamus) - uterine stimulant; bitter principles and essential oils

• Celandine (Chelidonium majus) - alkaloids and bitter principles

• Cinchona - alkaloids and bitter principles

• Cotton-root Bark (Gossypium herbaceum) - emmenogogue

• Docks (curled) (Rumex crispus) - anthraquinone laxative

• Ephedra (Ephedra vulgaris) - alkaloids and bitter principles

• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) - uterine stimulant; essential oils

• Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) - uterine stimulant

• Flax Seed (Linum usitatissimum) - uterine stimulant

• Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) - emmenogogue, uterine stimulant

• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) - uterine stimulant; alkaloids and bitter principles

• Juniper (Juniperus communis) - essential oils and bitter principles

• Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

• Lavender (Lavandula officinalls) - essential oils and bitter principles

• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

• Marjoram (therapeutic doses) (Oreganum vulgare) - essential oils

• Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) - uterine stimulant; bitter principles

• Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

• Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale) - bitter principles; laxative; emetic

• Mistletoe (Viscum album) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

• Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) - emmenogogue; uterine stimulant

• Oregano (therapeutic doses (Origanum vulgare) - essential oils

• Passionflower ( Passiflora incameta) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

• Periwinkle (Vinca roses) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue

• Poke Root (Phytolacca americana) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

• Rhubarb (Rheum spp.) - emmenogogue; uterine stimulant; alkaloids

• Rosemary (therapeutic doses) (Rosmarinus officinalis) - essential oils

• Rue (Ruta graveolens) - emmenogogue

• Sage (Salvia officinalis) - uterine stimulant; essential oils; bitter principles

• Senna (cassia acutifolia) - anthraquinone laxative; emmenogogue; uterine stimulant

• Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

• Thuja (Thuja occidentalis) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; essential oils

• Thyme (therapeutic doses) (Thymus vulgaris) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; essential oils

• Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina) - uterine stimulant; bitter principles

• Wormwood (Artemisia spp.) - uterine stimulant; emmenogogue; abortifacient

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - emmenogogue; essential oils; bitter principles