Pregnancy Health

Wild foods and organically grown produce, grains and herbs are the best source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients needed during pregnancy.

TONICS DURING PREGNANCY

Tonics allay annoyances and prevent major problems. Some uterine tonics are contraindicated during pregnancy or are restricted to the last few weeks of pregnancy.

Women in many cultures have used the following herbs for centuries to have a healthier pregnancy.

RED RASPBERRY LEAVES (Rubus spp.)

• Increasing fertility in both men and women: Raspberry leaf is an excellent fertility herb when combined with Red Clover.
• Preventing miscarriage and hemorrhage: Raspberry leaf tones the uterus and helps prevent miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage from a relaxed or atonic uterus.
• Easing of morning sickness: Many attest to raspberry leaves’ gentle relief of nausea and stomach distress throughout pregnancy.
• Assisting in the production of plentiful breast milk: The high mineral content of Raspberry leaf assists in milk production, but its astringency may counter that for some women.

NETTLE LEAVES (Urtica Diotca)

The benefits of drinking nettle infusion before and throughout pregnancy include the following:

• Increasing fertility in women and men.
• Nourishing mother and fetus.
• Easing leg cramps and other spasms.
• Diminishing pain during and after birth: The high calcium content, which is readily assimilated, helps diminish muscle pains in the uterus, in the legs and elsewhere.
• Preventing hemorrhage after birth: Nettle is a superb source of vitamin K, and increases available hemoglobin, both of which decrease the likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. Fresh Nettle Juice, in teaspoon doses, slows postpartum bleeding.
• Reducing hemorrhoids: Nettle’s mild astringency and general nourishing action tightens and strengthens blood vessels, helps maintain arterial elasticity and improves venous resilience.
• Increasing the richness and amount of breast milk.

CALCIUM

Of course calcium is a mineral, not an herbal tonic, but it is so important during pregnancy and throughout our woman lives that I consider it a tonic. Lack of adequate calcium during pregnancy is associated with muscle cramps, backache, high blood pressure, intense labor and afterbirth pains, osteoporosis, tooth problems, and pre-eclampsia.

• Most wild greens are exceptionally rich in calcium and the factors needed for calcium absorption and use.
• Bones soaked in apple cider vinegar release their calcium into the acidic vinegar.
• Many fruits are rich in calcium (though not as rich as the above foods).
• Raspberry leaf infusion contains calcium in its most assimilable form. Assimilation is further enhanced by the presence of phosphorous and vitamins A and C in the raspberry leaves.
• Nettle Infusion supplies calcium and phosphorous, vitamin A and the vital vitamin D, in a readily assimilable form.
• Foods that are thought to interfere with absorption of calcium should be avoided: spinach, chocolate, rhubarb and brewer’s yeast.
• Do not use bone meal or oyster shell tablets as sources of supplemental calcium.Herbal Allies For Pregnancy Problems

  During pregnancy a woman’s body increases in size by approximately 50%.

  Eating during pregnancy should consist of small meals at regular intervals.