Important:
This information is not intended to prescribe or diagnose in any way. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional help. This information is primarily for reference and education. We do not advocate self-diagnosis or self-medication and urge anyone with continuing symptoms to seek medical advice.
There are some herbs that should be avoided during pregnancy. There are other herbs which are excellent in the final weeks of pregnancy but which are best avoided during early pregnancy. Women who are pregnant should not use herbs indiscriminately!!
Through the years many moms have testified that various herbs were of great benefit to them during their pregnancy and when giving birth.
We only mention a few of them here. Many of these and other herbs are available in herbal combinations.
What follows is just the "tip of the tip of the iceberg" of herb lore. There are literally hundreds of herbs available that are used for many different purposes.
Red raspberry is one of the most widely used herbs for women, especially during pregnancy. It contains nutrients which help strengthen the walls of the uterus. It is also used to combat nausea and reduce the discomforts of childbirth. It helps enrich colostrum found in breast milk. After the birth, red raspberry is used to help reduce utering swelling and post-partum bleeding.
Squaw vine was first use by native American women to assist them in pregnancy in childbirth. Like red raspberry, it has been used to tone the uterus and relieve the discomforts of childbirth. It has also been used to help relieve body tensions and as a general stress reliever.
Wild Yam is used to help balance hormones and ease morning sickness as well as to help prevent miscarriage.
Blessed thistle is used to promote lactation and increase mom's milk flow. It has also been used to help balance mood swings, relieve depression, and balance hormones.
Liquid chlorophyll is used as a blood builder in moms who tend toward anemia.
Slippery elm is used to relieve indigestion, prevent heartburn and reduce excess stomach acid. It is also used as a stool-softener to relieve constipation.
White oak bark is used to relieve problems with hemorrhoids and to help shrink varicose veins.
These are two entirely different herbs (in spite of similar names) which are both used near the end of pregnancy to facilitate delivery. They are often used together. Since they may encourage labor contractions, they should be avoided earlier during pregnancy.
Catnip is used as a general stress reliever, to relieve insomnia, to relieve cramping, and to fight colds.
Alfafa is one of the richest mineral foods, due to it's amazingly deep root structure. (One source we have says that the roots grow as much as 130 feet into the earth!) It is used as a blood builder, to reduce cholesterol, as a diuretic, to promote lactation, and to ease morning sickness.
Parsley should be avoided during early pregnancy, but is used by women who need help in drying up breast milk, as well as to fight urinary tract infections and shrink varicose veins.