Tea for Two: Herbs Through Your Pregnancy

Have a cup of tea - or two or three! During your pregnancy tea can be a wonderful ritual of mindfulness helping us remember to nourish our bodies, spirit, and mind. Herbs such as Red Raspberry leaf(Rubus idaeus), Nettles (Urtica dioica), and Oats (Avena sativa) are particularly suited for nourishing, supporting, and preparing the body for birth as well as supporting you postpartum. So why these three herbs? Glad you asked!

raspberry leaf  by author

Red Raspberry leaf(Rubus idaeus) is a wonderful herb to take during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum because of qualities as a uterine toner. Red Raspberry leaves contain fragrine which is an alkaloid that tones the muscles of the pelvic region without causing contractions by stimulating the uterus. For those concerned about miscarriage, Red Raspberry leaves are very valuable because they so effectively support the uterus. What Red Raspberry leaf does is help the uterus work more effectively – during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Raspberry leaves can also help to alleviate morning sickness, assist in the production of breast milk, and reduce pain during labor and after the birth.

nettle leaf photo by author

Nettle leaves (Urtica dioica) are gorgeous wild greens just dancing with all the vitamins and minerals they contain. Some of the vitamins and minerals found in Nettle leaves are vitamins B, C, E, K as well as iron, calcium, silica, magnesium, protein, and potassium. Nettles both nourish and restore the body and because of their high iron content they are especially useful for women who are anemic or have a low iron count. Not only can they be enjoyed as a tea, but fresh Nettles can be prepared much in the same way as spinach for a delicious and nutritious meal. Nettles help to reduce cramping and muscle spasms, eases pain during labor and after birth, and prevents hemorrhaging.

photo from uky.edu

Oats (Avena sativa) are modest powerhouses of nourishment. Oats help to increase energy, strength, and a sense of calmness during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum because of their unwavering support of the nervous system. Silica, selenium, manganese, potassium, iron, zinc, beta-carotene, and B vitamins are some of the nutrients found in Oats. Pregnancy, labor, and after birth can all feel very overwhelming at times, and Oats can be used to address headaches from stress and worry, heart palpitations, mental exhaustion, and cases of mild depression.

To truly benefit from these herbal pregnancy partners, I suggest drinking 2-4 cups daily of herbal tea, rotating between Raspberry Leaf, Nettles, and Oats every 2 or 3 weeks. I also encourage experimentation with combining them to find a blend that is the most delightful to your senses.

Tooth of Lion: Dandelion

botanical.com

Bitterwort.  Fairy clock.  Fortune teller.  Swine's snout.  Milk witch.  Peasant's cloak.  There are many names for our ever present friend, Dandelion.  Flowering in the spring and fall, Dandelion marks the changing of the seasons with its triumphant yellow head popping up through cracks in the concrete and on hillsides through parks.  Tenacity would be a good word to describe our friend Dandelion who flickers bright in urban and rural setting alike, thriving in disturbed soil (like roadsides and dirt patches in parking lots).

Dandelion's reputation for tenacity makes it a brilliant ally for those needing detoxification and to gently cleanse of the body of excess heat and impurities.  For those who feel stagnant, Dandelion is the bold, toothy companion to help break down emotional and physical barriers to health.

Magickal Uses of Dandelion

Dandelion acts as an herbal guide through the transitional points of the year and myths tell of its affinity for the Goddess Hecate who rules over the crossroads and the plant's healing powers to defy death itself.  Bury Dandelion in the northwest corner of the home to bring favorable winds at sea and drink a tea of its root to awaken the third eye.  Carried on the person, Dandelion is said to bestow the wishes of the seeker. Looking to learn more about the revolutionary energies of Dandelion? Come this way.

Medicinal Uses of Dandelion

Dandelion is a general cleanser of the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, stomach, and spleen.  A mild diuretic as a tea or tincture, the potassium rich leaves help prevent mineral loss and also treats urinary tract infections and gallstones. Dandelion also aids digestion, is a mild laxative, helps with the metabolism f fats, and stimulates the appetite - good for when you are recovering from illness.  Our golden friend is also excellent for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, edema and abnormal blood sugar levels.  As a diuretic, Dandelion increases urination but also replaces the potassium loss through urine.

I use dandelion before and around the spring and fall equinoxes to prepare my body for the changing weather and strengthen it against colds, flus, and various infections.  During the early spring, Dandelion clears away the sluggishness of winter and restores my energy reserves.  For fall, Dandelion helps the body store minerals and supports beneficial flora of the gut. 

by author

A balancer of emotions, dandelion helps regulate hormones for menopausal women when taken over a long period of time. While on hormone therapy or estrogen replacement, women can safely use dandelion as a liver tonic.  Dandelion is also useful for those still menstruating as it relieves cramping, reduces water retention, and prevents bloating.  As a powerful cleanser, Dandelion can also improve the condition of trouble-prone skin, such as acne, psoriasis, and excema.  In addition to being an immune-enhancer, Dandelion strengthens vascular resistance and reduces pathologically-induced capillary wall permeability. Thank you, Toothy!

The Dandelion Personality

Retention is a keyword of the Dandelion personality. They tend towards an agitated anger and/or nervousness as well as dull-mindedness which comes about because of excess toxins in their system. They can be very good at holding onto and stuffing down emotions. Frustration is a familiar companion. There can be a history of or tendency towards alcohol and drug abuse as well as eating disorders - I think this partially stems from a feeling of struggling to take up space appropriately combined with an internal toxicity (think nasty inner voice) that hasn’t been cleared from the system. Excess sleepiness mixed with insomnia are also signs of a Dandelion person. Ultimately, Dandelion folks are operating from a lack of security and you might see a tightness around the solar plexus. The excess of fluids in their body can stem from their emotional retention - they’ve built a watery moat to protect themselves. Dandelion teaches them how to let go while still taking root - a balance that’ll be essential for them to learn for long term healing.

Using Dandelion in Your Life

As Dandelion has many names, so it has many ways of being incorporated into our lives and diet.  In addition to teas and tinctures, try adding the fresh leaves to salads and juices.  The leaves are great in stir-fries and soups, too!  You can also roast the root in your oven to create a decaffeinated coffee substitute.  I make a dandelion vinegar by mixing the root, fresh or dried, in raw apple cider vinegar and letting it steep for one cycle of the moon.  I strain it and either take a teaspoon of the vinegar in water or mix it into my salads.

Source of Light: Calendula

botanical.com

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a beloved herb of the sun and the golden flowers of the plant will turn their faces towards the bright day orb as it travels across the sky.  Held in high esteem by herbalists throughout the ages as an especially healing herb, Calendula has a brightening power on the heart and is lifting to the spirit.  Calendula is a busy healing helper driven by the sweet sorrow of knowing someone you love does not feel well and ever seeking to provide relief. As an herb of enchantment, Calendula was said to protect against all forms of evil influences (including the plague which is no surprise given its anti-viral properties) and even able to reveal the identity of the person who had robbed you if worn.  Placed in a bath, Calendula will win you the respect of everyone you meet and  there is even a curious myth that touching the petals to your feet will allow you to understand the language of the birds.

If you or someone you know is feeling a bit under in the weather in a literal sense - they feel damp, sluggish, slow to heal, and like they are living beneath a cloud - Calendula might be the herb to befriend.

commons.wikimedia.org

As an anti-inflammatory and herb, Calendula can be used internally to treat digestive disorders, such as indigestion, irritation of the intestines and bowels,  diarrhea, and helps to regulate inflammation. It actually increases digestive enzymes and the production of bile in the body.  Topically, Calendula is found in many healing salves because along with being anti-inflammatory, it is also anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and speeds healing process by promoting tissue repair.  It is also known to reduce scarring.

Calendula is stimulating to a sluggish immune system, helping to promote circulation, relieve congestion, and support the work of our liver and gall-bladder.  Used for colds, the flu, and infections like the herpes virus, these bright flowers fight ear infections and athlete's foot when prepared as an herbal oil, relieve sinus infections as a nasal wash, and treat conjunctivitis as an eyewash.

Bringing on delayed menstruation and easing menstrual cramps are some of the ways Calendula pays particular attention to women's bodies.  It is also effective in treatments of uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, excessive bleeding, and general uterine congestion. Especially good for those women who feel overly damp and drowning a bit in the emotional currents of menstruation and menopause - the brightness of Calendula will help to dry out overly saturated emotional states and bring light to an overcast situation.

Besides mixing Calendula into tea blends, one of the simplest ways I use Calendula is as a compress for cuts and burns.  I recently used crushed petals that I mixed with a bit of warm water on a cut on an upper lip.  The cut healed quickly and though it was deep it has a very slight scar that is continuing to fade.  I recommend keeping a few tea bags of Calendula about the house, in your bike basket or bag to apply to cuts, burns, stings, rashes, and other skin complaints.  We'll discuss using Calendula in salves and herbal oils in later postings!