Herbs in Pregnancy

Herbs fascinate me. My grandparents used herbs for everything. I have come to appreciate herbs over the years as a gentle and natural healing. I am simply a midwife that enjoys learning and studying herbs the history and uses of herbs. A prominent herbologist wrote, "The more research I do on herbs, the better appreciation I have for God's creations. “Every plan on this earth has a purpose. Plants and herbs provide not only medicines but also vitamins, minerals and macronutrients for optimum benefits. Some example of plant nutrients: calcium, iron, folic acid, magnesium, and vitamin C.

Plants and botanical gardens have been used for women's health and healing for hundreds of years. Most herbs can be taken throughout pregnancy with no ill effects; many herbs are helpful during pregnancy and to be taken through the entire pregnancy until birth. The physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy can lead to a variety of conditions that can usually be self-treated. One thing is certain and that is when a woman is pregnant she has to nourish herself. 

Most herbal products have a long history of safe use. However, they can be dangerous if dosages are not followed correctly or if the products are ingested over a long period of time.  Pregnant women prefer to use herbs in the form of tea. Herbal teas are made from the roots, berries, flowers, seeds, and leaves of a variety of plants—not from actual tea plant leaves. The ritual of making and drinking tea has been practiced for thousands of years, and for good reason. Tea contains polyphenols to protect your heart, antioxidants that may lower your risk of cancer and other nutrients that boost your immune system.

Many of the complications during pregnancy can be traced back to the mother’s diet, which typically lacks in vital nutrients and minerals that she so desperately needs during pregnancy. Women wise to these needs have recommended herbal tonics during the childbearing years for thousands of years to help both mother and baby experience a healthy, normal pregnancy and birth.

The following is a list of herbs that I had used safely during pregnancy for women I cared for. If I had to pick one of my favourite herbs then it is raspberry. I have been recommending Red raspberry Leaf to pregnant women for more than 23 years now and not a single woman ever had a complaint about this benevolent plant.
Raspberry is an amazing plant with so many uses. Red raspberry leaf tea" is made from the leaves of the red raspberry plant. The leaves taste mild and can be taken all day long. Red Raspberry Leaf's major function in a woman's first trimester of pregnancy is to provide necessary nutrition.  Red Raspberry is amazing for milk production and for toning the uterus in preparation for birth. Red Raspberry prevents excessive bleeding during and after labour and will facilitate the birth process by stimulating contractions. Many women drank the raspberry leaf tea religiously during their entire pregnancy.

To make a tea, pour 1 cup boiling water over 2 teaspoons of herb and steep for ten minutes. Strain. During the first two trimesters, drink 1 cup per day. During the final trimester, drink 2-3 cups per day. The tea helps the moods swings due to the hormonal changes and their mental clarity and energy levels are so much better. Raspberry leaf is an excellent energy booster. So if you feel a little anemic or run down, just drink a cup of raspberry leaf tea with a spoonful of molasses stirred in.  It tastes great and gives a person an emotional and physical energy boost.

Ginger has a long history as a remedy for upset stomach, morning sickness and loss of appetite. History has taught us that centuries ago Chinese sailors used ginger to avoid sea sickness. Ginger Root is excellent for morning sickness and sae for pregnant women to use. A 2003 study suggested that ginger was safe to consume during pregnancy, but that the beneficial effects it produced were mild.  On the other hand, a brief study focused specifically on ginger tea reported that women who drank the tea found their nausea significantly improved.  Ginger is simple to use. Just peel it off and place it in hot water and bring it to a boil, strain it and serve.

Catnip is in the mint family, soothing and relaxing. Catnip has been used over the time to relive stomach complaints such as colic, cramps, gas and indigestion because chemicals in it maybe have muscle-relaxing effects. That's why catnip leaves is a well-known menstrual cramp reliever. Catnip is a great help to those who suffer from stress related issues. I love using catnip because it is very relaxing and calming. It is very useful for postpartum women struggling with some kind of anxiety issues and mild depression. The tea is pleasant tasting and can be taken easily.

Oat straw is a very soothing and nourishing herb. It has a very mild and invisible taste. Oat straw is high in nutrients such as calcium and magnesia. Oat straw aids the nervous system, short-term and long-term. Chamomile is a truly irreplaceable plant. It cures just about everything. Tea with chamomile will help a person fall asleep, cleanse eyes and ease slight indisposition. Any woman that have disturbing thoughts, anxiety, insomnia, then quickly brew tea with chamomile and those thoughts will disappear. It is not only a soothing plant; it is also an excellent remedy for any inflammation such as mastitis. It is good for hair while rinsing.

Chamomile is a truly an irreplaceable plant. It cures just about anything. Tea with chamomile will help a person fall sleep, cleanse eyes and ease slight indisposition. Any woman that have disturbing thoughts, anxiety, insomnia, then quickly brew tea with chamomile and those thoughts will disappear. Chamomile is not only a soothing plant; it is also an excellent remedy for any inflammation such as mastitis. It is good for hair while rinsing.

Shepherds’ purse is used to stop heavy bleeding from the uterus. It has been used to treat post-partum haemorrhage. Shepherd’s bag contains vitamins C and K. It increases blood clotting. The herb contributes to postnatal contractions and causes the uterus to retuning to its size and shape before pregnancy. Shepherd purse help with uterine fibroids. It works immediately. I recommend Shepherd purse to all women in any stage of their lives to use it.

I am not a doctor or herbalist but I have used these herbs safely in my practice. What can say is that some herbs are very helpful for breastfeeding. Many herbs have been used to increase breastfeeding. The most common is fenugreek. Fenugreek seed has been used to increase milk supply since biblical times. Oak straw, raspberry, marshmallow and nettle leaves are good for breastfeeding. Nettle leaves are high in iron.

Herbs from Africa are now becoming popular worldwide. Many are still unknown in the western world, but others, such as Hoodia is seen as a massive breakthrough in the weight loss and dietary supplement niche. Wilde Als is one of the most widely used traditional medicines in South Africa.

Kanna, Canna, Channa or kougoed which is sometimes referred to as Sceletium (Sceletium tortuosium) is considered a natural Prozac and is used by many people in South Africa to great effect. Prescription mood enhancers can often be addictive and cause harm to the body; however, kanna does not have the same problems, making it one of the safest mood enhancers available. Sceletium tortuosum is a low-growing plant native to South Africa and it was first used in chewed or smoked. It is very popular amongst traditional midwives because it is natural and calms the woman down. It is also not a hallucinogen and anything developed from it is not addictive. Kanna makes a good mood lifter for when you are feeling blue.

Yohimbe is a popular herb coming originally from South Africa and known worldwide as an excellent aphrodisiac. In fact it is the inner bark of the tropical West African tree Pausinystalia yohimbe (formerly known as Corynanthe yohimbe). For centuries, people have used the crude bark as a tonic to enhance sexual prowess and pleasure. Traditionally it has also been used for fever, coughs, and leprosy in Africa, as well as a mild hallucinogenic. Yohimbe is good for morning sickness.

African herbal medicine is also used to treat ailments such as urinary tract infections and the Buchu shrub (Agathosma betulina) is used widely by African herbalists for those patients who suffer from this and similar health complaints. My thanks go to my grandfather John Murray who was an indigenous herbalist who introduced me to many of the South African indigenous plants and their uses.  Since then I have continuously sought more information and experience with them.

Sources:
http://medherb.com/Materia_Medica/The_Mineral_Content_of_Herbal_Decoctions_.htm
Susun Weed: www.susunweed.com and www.wisewomanbookshop.com

Global Herbal Products. http://www.globalherbal.co.za/contacts.html

Ageless: http://www.ageless.co.za/sa-products.htm

Koren, G. (2005) “Ginger for Nausea and Vomiting.” Internal Medicine News. 38.16: 32.

American Pregnancy Association. (2008).  Drinking Herbal Teas during Pregnancy.