Natural pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.
The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.
She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never.
A mother is something absolutely new.
Pregnancy is a wonderful time in any woman's life, the miracle of a new life growing inside you is one of the most powerful experiences we can ever have. Pregnancy is a time of joy, nurture and care. Caring for your own body is caring for your unborn child. Herbs can be very helpful in this process of nurturing and growth, but the greatest caution is needed. Herbal teas are more potent than you may think, and the wrong tea could seriously endanger your pregnancy, and even cause miscarriage! The list of 'forbidden herbs' during pregnancy is very long, so I'd rather write about the ones you can have.
First trimester
For many pregnant women, the first sign of change in their body is morning sickness. This can be really overwhelming and you may feel it dampens the excitement and joy pregnancy should bring. Drinking the right herbal teas can greatly alleviate morning sickness and nausea.
Ginger is
perhaps the most powerful one of these suggestions, and has been used for
centuries to combat nausea, vomiting and morning sickness. Ginger is also
warming to the whole body and wards off colds and flu. Simply cut a couple of
slices off a ginger root and boil for 3 minutes in a pan of water to make a
soothing tea. If you’re not into drinking ginger tea, ginger ale will do the
trick as well. Ginger may be taken several times a day.
Chamomile is
one of the mildest but most effective herbs for stomach upsets and nausea, and
is safe in pregnancy. Chamomile is also a powerful relaxant so if you’ve got
lots to do during the day, save this tea for the evening only. If you suffer
from sleeplessness or anxiety, this can be your ideal afternoon/evening tea.
Peppermint
is another herb that addresses nausea, stomach bloating and morning sickness.
It is also cooling and refreshing. Pour boiling water over a teaspoon of
peppermint in your teapot and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink maximum
2 teas a day during the first trimester.
Aniseed is a
popular anti-nausea drink. during pregnancy however, you can only have the
occasional Aniseed tea, as one of its main constituents, anethole, mimics
estrogenic action.
The first trimester of
pregnancy is the most restrictive when it comes to using herbs. Other than
these 4 mentioned above, steer clear of
other herbal teas. The wrong herbs can actually harm you and your
developing baby, do not think that because something is natural it is also safe
during this very vulnerable time. Using herbs in cooking is fine, the amount of
medicinal properties you take in via food is too minimal to cause any harm.
It is important to reduce your caffeine intake
as well. Many mums to be find one of the first ‘symptoms’ of pregnancy is that
they go off coffee! This is our body telling us to choose other drinks instead.
Black tea is also rich in caffeine and should be avoided as much as possible.
Even green tea contains
high amounts of caffeine and is said to reduce folic acid absorption. So if you
are a green tea addict consider limiting yourself to maximum one cup a day and
use that as your caffeine allowance, or try sourcing a caffeine-free green tea.
Essential oils: essential
oils are extremely concentrated, many oils are uterine stimulants or even
abortefacient. Avoid essential oils on
your body altogether during the first trimester of pregnancy. You CAN use
them in a vapouriser (burner), essential oils of orange, lemon or geranium are
a safe and an excellent way to feel uplifted and energised during this part of
your pregnancy.
Proper nutrition is the
key to your health and your developing baby’s health.
Make sure you eat plenty
of fresh vegetables and fruit every day, reduce your sugar intake as much as
possible and avoid processed foods. Cook meals from scratch with fresh
ingredients.
When you make a salad,
avoid the pre-washed, cut and packed salad greens. After washing and cutting
vitamins quickly get lost from fresh produce, so buy whole lettuces etc. Avoid
alcohol. Avoid raw fish, milk and dairy, raw or undercooked meat, smoked
seafood, large sea fish (tuna, swordfish –due to pollution these are rich in
mercury) and blue and soft cheeses.
Eat organic fruit,
vegetables and legumes as much as possible. Raw vegetables are great: All
vitamins, minerals and enzymes remain preserved. Snack on sliced carrots,
paprika and turnips with a houmous or tahini dip.
Second trimester
Nausea and morning
sickness are hopefully a thing of the past now. We can incorporate more herbs
into our diet now, as a source for much-wanted vitamins and minerals for
ourselves and our developing baby, and to strengthen the uterus. Herbs can furthermore
help us relax and feel more comfortable in body and mind.
Nettle, rose, rose hip, chamomile, lemon verbena, red
raspberry leaf, rooibos
Nettle is a
wonderful source of nutrients, including vitamins A, B, C, E and K, and many
minerals, such as iron, folic acid,
calcium, magnesium, potassium, amongst others. As a nutritive herb, nettle is a
great multivitamin supplement. Taken as a tea, these nutrients nourish the
mother and fetus, prevent leg cramps and muscle spasms, prevent haemorrhage and
reduce haemorrhoids.
Nettle tonifies and
strengthens the uterus, ‘cleanses’ the blood, helps to clear urinary tract
infection, relieves fluid retention and gives energy.
Rose (petals
or buds) has an uplifting effect on the nervous system and can relieve
insomnia, depression and fatigue. It does wonders for our emotional wellbeing.
Rose is very feminine, it lifts our spirits and enhances our libido as well.
Rose is a mild laxative and very effective in constipation, a common ailment
during pregnancy. Rose is also a great remedy for headaches and dizziness, as
well as irritability!
Rose hips
are the fruit of the wild rose bush, a great source for vitamin C and antioxidants.
Boil 2-3 rosehips in water for 5 minutes, strain and drink for an extra vitamin
boost. Should you come down with a cold during your pregnancy, combine rose
hips with elderberry or elderflower for an antiviral, cold-busting drink.
Chamomileis for
relaxation, sleep and stress-relief. Pregnancy is often a time of disturbed
sleep whether from vivid dreams, new concerns over becoming a mum, or the
discomfort of your growing belly making it hard to find just the right
position. One of my favourite herbs for gently and safely promoting relaxation
and sleep is chamomile. It is soothing for your tummy and tastes delicious,
too.
Lemon Verbena
is the Happy Herb! It stimulates the release of endorphins in the brain (the
happy hormone) and generally lifts our mood, relieves anxiety, stress and
irritability. It also boosts the metabolism, reduces headaches, nausea and
dizziness. It has a lovely lemony scent and soothes acid reflux.
Red raspberry leaf is a mineral rich tonic, traditionally used to support a healthy
pregnancy and tone the uterus to help a woman prepare for birth. Some studies
have shown that it can help to expedite labor and reduce complications and
interventions associated with birth.
Since it doesn’t have the
most pleasant taste when taken as a tea by itself, I generally recommend mixing
it with some spearmint and rose hips for a delicious tea that can be taken
daily, 1-2 cups throughout the second and third trimesters. The recommended
dose is from 1.5 – 5 gm daily in tea.
Rooibos tea
is also a very good choice in pregnancy. It contains calcium, magnesium and
loads of antioxidants. It also has positive effects on digestion and can ease
colic and reflux.
The Happy Mama tea blend we produce at Cyherbia contains nettle, red
raspberry leaf, chamomile, rose, fennel and lemon verbena. Recommended
consumption is 2 teas a day, from the 2nd trimester onward.
How to prevent stretch marks
Your body is changing and
despite the skin’s elasticity, it may not be able to keep up with the speed at
which it is meant to stretch, this is when stretch marks may occur. Stretch
marks, once you have them, don’t go away, so it is imperative to do what you
can to prevent getting them or minimize them as much as possible. Keeping
hydrated by drinking lots of water is very important, as well as getting
sufficient vitamin A, C and E. Daily moisturizing the skin of you belly,
breasts and thighs is the way to go to prevent and minimize stretch marks.
Some pantry remedies that
work very well (and are cheap) are coconut oil or olive oil. (Tip: mix 1
tablespoon of olive oil with a couple drops of vitamin E and apply to
skin). These oils nourish the skin and
improve elasticity. You can just rub these into the skin on their own but why
not make your daily massage a moment of pampering yourself by making your own
massage blend with essential oils.
Below I list some of the
oils that are safe for use on the skin (always diluted in a base oil) in
pregnancy from the 2nd trimester onward. Essential oils can energize
you when you are having an low energy day, they can relax you when you’re
stressed, lift your mood when you’re down and also help in typical pregnancy
ailments like water retention.
As a base oil I recommend almond
oil, grapeseed oil or jojoba oil, or even a combination of these oils, as they
get absorbed by the skin quickly and have no scent, so the essential oils you add
to your massage oil stay pure in scent.
Geranium
essential oil is known to restore and mend collagen and elastin fibers (as well
as wonderfully uplifting to our mood and general wellbeing).
Lavender
essential oil is great for the skin, is relaxing and soothing. It also eases
pregnancy aches and pains and reduces fluid retention.
Orange: This
essential oil is said to make you feel joyous, calm and uplifted.
Neroli
(orange blossom): For those experiencing anxiety or pregnancy nerves, neroli
helps you feel relaxed and tranquil. It also boosts your skin cell regeneration
so you look and feel great too.
Rose
essential oil is the ultimate in luxury, it relaxes the mind and lifts the
spirits, enhances your mood and promotes skin regeneration.
Patchouli:
Need to make a decision but struggling to control your racing thoughts? Pick up
some patchouli and feel clear-headed and in control again. Said to alleviate
apathy, indecision and confusion, patchouli is a great oil to keep in your
cupboard for those ‘baby brain’ days.
Ylangylang:
This all-rounder is a great during pregnancy. Not only does it act as an
aphrodisiac, but it also reduces your blood pressure and it said to comfort
individuals that are feeling tense or stressed.
Use a maximum of 10 drops
total in 50 ml base oil, this is a 1% dilution. You can make blends with 2 or 3
essential oils of your liking, as long as you stick to the maximum number of
drops.
For extra nourishment, you
may add a few drops of vitamin E to your massage oil (available at pharmacies)
Aloe Vera gel
is a wonderful nourishing and hydrating preventative measure. Aloe vera is also
cooling, and its soothing action helps in the itchiness we often feel on the
belly. Apply daily, even several times a day if you wish. At Cyherbia we stock
pure aloe vera gel with olive oil which smells fantastic and is super
hydrating.
I’ve come down with a bad cold/flu/bronchitis and
can’t take any medication! What can I do?
Mother Nature has the
answer to all our health issues. There are several things you can do:
·
Use a natural
vapour rub on the chest and throat area for decongestion (at Cyherbia we stock
our own organic vapour rub)
·
Use 3 drops
essential oil of Myrtle, diluted in a tbsp. olive oil externally on the chest,
throat and soles of your feet, as well as around the nostrils when you have a
runny or stuffed nose. Myrtle is a fantastic decongestant and
antibiotic/antiviral herb. (avoid in first trimester)
·
Herbal teas to
soothe cold & flu symptoms that are safe during pregnancy: peppermint,
elderflower, ginger & lemon
·
Echinacea drops
(available at pharmacies) can stop a cold in its tracks when taken at the onset of it, it is not effective in full blown flu
·
Eat good
oldfashionedhome made chicken soup
·
Take a warm bath
with 5 drops of lavender and 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, this will
greatly help in decongestion, aches and pains
Third Trimester
As our baby is growing
bigger and we are getting heavier and often increasingly uncomfortable in our
bodies, common complaints arebackache, cramps, constipation, heartburn,
varicose veins, haemorrhoids and water retention.Some of these discomforts can
be alleviated or reduced with herbs, correct diet and mild exercise.
Backache:
* Take a warm bath with 5
drops of lavender and 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil (you can also just
take lavender, 10 drops max if you don’t like eucalyptus) These oils are
analgesic and relaxing.
* Take a gentle stroll or
go for a swim. Movement is very important during pregnancy and can greatly
relieve backache (as opposed to sitting on the sofa, which often makes it
worse).
* Have your partner
massage your back with essential oil of lavender, geranium, or eucalyptus. 2
drops in a tablespoon of carrier oil.
Cramps:
*Red Raspberry leaf and
Nettle are naturally high in magnesium, potassium, iron and b-vitamins which
make it helpful for leg cramps. (Raspberry leaf and nettle are two of the
ingredients of Cyherbia’s Happy Mama tea). In the third trimester you may drink
up to 3 happy mama teas a day.
Constipation:
*Start your day with a
glass of lukewarm water in which you have squeezed the juice of half a lemon.
This kickstarts your digestive system and provides you with much needed vitamin
C as well! Make this the first drink you have, as soon as you get out of bed.
This is a good habit to keep even after pregnancy.
*Rose tea is a mild
cathartic, as are all rose products (rose cordial, jam etc). In fact, too much
rose will cause diarrhea! Rose is an ingredient of Happy Mama tea, but you may
need an extra cup of rose tea on its own if you’re heavily constipated.
*One tablespoon a day of
Carob syrup is a known natural way to help things move in the gut. It is also a
rich source of vitamins and minerals, win-win!
*Movement is very
important. ‘If the body doesn’t move, neither does the bowel’, is an old
saying.
Take frequent walks or go
swimming.
Heartburn:
*Eating small meals
frequently, rather than large meals which are hours apart, will prevent your
stomach from becoming too full and pushing up under your diaphragm.
*Try to eat your main meal
of the day at lunchtime. Eat your evening meal early in the evening, so your
body has time to digest it before you go to bed. Avoid spicy, rich, fatty and
fried foods, and anything else that triggers your symptoms.
*Don't drink liquids with
your food, as this dilutes your digestive juices, making them less effective.
Instead, stay hydrated by drinking water between meals.
*Herbal teas such as
peppermint, ginger, chamomile and lemon verbena, help your digestion.
*Try adding four drops of
lemon, orange or neroli (orange blossom) essential oils to a tablespoonful of
base oil. Massage this into your chest and upper back, or put the blend in your
bath so you can inhale the vapours.
Varicose veins and haemorrhoids:
*Nettle and raspberry leaf
tea strengthens the blood vessels, these herbs greatly help in prevention.
*Cyherbia’sVaricose vein
salve is a very effective natural remedy and can be used topically to combat
both varicose veins and haemorrhoids. Use up to 4 times a day, apply very
gently.
*Movement (again!) Gentle
exercise, walks, yoga and swimming help to keep circulation going.
* Steer clear of refined
and processed foods such as cakes and biscuits. Drinking too much black tea,
coffee, cola and milk may make varicose veins more painful and lead to
constipation, making haemorrhoids worse.
Water retention:
*Lemon verbena and
dandelion are 2 herbal teas that reduce water retention. (Lemon verbena is an
ingredient of our Happy Mama tea)
*Rest as much as possible,
putting your feet up above your hips by resting them on a stool. Try not to
cross your legs, as this restricts your blood flow.
*Cyherbia’s varicose veins
salve helps to reduce swelling too, as it stimulates blood circulation.
*A warm bath with a mug
full of Epsom salt is perhaps the best remedy I know to reduce swelling, and it
leaves your skin soft like a baby’s! Plus, it provides a magnesium boost,
detoxes your system and leaves your hair soft and shiny too! For a warm feet bath,
add 3 tbsp. of Epsom salt to a bowl of water. You can add a few drops of
essential oil (see list above) for added luxury and relaxation. Epsom salt is
available at pharmacies, ask for Magnesium Sulphate as they may not be familiar
with the name.
Brand New Mama
To help heal the wound
from vaginal birth or Caesarean section, Cyherbia stocks an organic healing oil
with St. John’s wort and essential oils of
This oil is soothing,
analgesic and speeds up healing, as well as reducing scars. Use it topically 2
times a day.
Breastfeeding.
Whether or not you are
breastfeeding, do continue drinking the Happy Mama tea. You can use all the
nourishment, energy and wellness it provides!
Happy Mama tea stimulates
the flow of milk, and all the nutrients in it will pass on to your baby as
well! Your baby benefits from Happy Mama tea in many ways: chamomile, lemon verbena and rose are calming
and relaxing herbs, fennel and chamomile soothe stomach cramps, nettle gives
all its nourishing goodness in vitamins and minerals. Though you should never
give a newborn child this herbal tea to drink in a bottle, when YOU drink it,
all its goodness gets passed on to the baby via your milk.
This is great news also in
the event of your baby getting a cold. You can then take antibiotic and
antiviral herbs, as tea, supplement or oil and it will get passed on o you sick
baby. I’ve seen amazing results when the mother takes oregano oil or myrtle
oil, nature’s antibiotic and antiviral essential oils, as medicine for the
baby. This method is safe and effective, when taken strictly according to
herbalist’s directions.
I do not recommend aromatherapy for newborns and new mums. This is a time of bonding
between mother and child and your own natural body scents play a vital role in
the bonding process. Your baby responds to your smell, your smell equals
safety, love, nurture and home. Avoid using perfume as much as possible and
choose soaps and shower gels with a mild scent at this beautiful and important
stage in your life.
Baby care.
Nappy rash. To soothe and
heal baby’s delicate skin, you can use Calendula salve. All natural and fast
healing, Cyherbia’s calendula salve is the product for all skin irritations,
redness, eczema, insect bites, skin allergies etc. Calendula is also wonderful
for cradle cap, that annoying flaky scalp some babies get. To help clear the
scalp of flaky skin and to soothe and heal the skin, use calendula oil.
Calendula, the salve and
the oil, also soothe painful nipples! Be sure to gently wash them before
breastfeeding.
Above all, enjoy and
cherish this new life you and your baby now share!
Green blessings,
