HERBS AND PREGNANCY

HERBS AND PREGNANCY The following is help for those trying to get pregnant, already pregnant, or about to experience the blessed event. Once again, please seek the assistance of a qualified person before taking these herbs. Use at your own risk. Fertility The first place to start is at the beginning. Below are some things that will help to improve your fertility when the decision is made to go from a couple to a family. First, you need to check with a physician to determine where the infertility problem lies. Many things can affect fertility for both the man and the woman. A few tests will go a long way to preventing a lot of hair-pulling and finger-pointing. If sperm count is low, a quick solution is to wear boxers instead of briefs. Sperm needs to be cooler than the body temperature to form properly. Uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, stress, age - all have a factor in fertility for women, and these situations need to be addressed and treated before embarking on an herbal treatment for fertility. You should not be in such a hurry to get pregnant that you put yourself or your fetus in any kind of danger. Fertility Tonic 2 parts ho shou wu 1 part astragalus root 1 part dong quai root (substitute ginseng for men) 2 parts false unicorn root 3 parts wild yam root 1 part vitex berries 1 part squaw vine 1 part cinnamon The tonic may be used in tincture (3/4 teaspoon daily), capsule (3 capsules twice per day), or tea (one cup three times per day) form. Use daily for up to 3 months. During this time, change your lifestyle to include plenty of exercise, rest, and above all, a healthy diet. Take a multivitamin every day, as well as bee pollen. Your life is a direct reflection of what is going on in your body, both male and female. Take stock and change what you should to aid in overcoming the infertility. And remember - sometimes trying too hard can make it difficult to conceive! Herbs During Pregnancy These are herbs that will help the mother and baby in the early development stages. Black Haw - used in the early stages of pregnancy to help prevent miscarriage Blessed Thistle - used in the latter stages of pregnancy as a liver tonic and builder, as well as a stimulant of blood flow to the mammaries, and used to increase milk production; also reduces hemorrhaging during childbirth Burdock Root - has a high concentration of vitamins and minerals and is a liver booster Chamomile - lifts the spirits and calms the nerves, used for digestive disorders during pregnancy, is combined with ginger to help morning sickness, and has a high calcium content as well as an anti-inflammatory aid Dandelion - greens and root - a high source of vitamins and minerals, aids digestion, nourishes and tones the system, diuretic, useful for fatigue and exhaustion, liver booster Ginger Root - used for morning sickness and digestive problems, safe during pregnancy for treating colds, sore throats, and congestion Kelp - high in vitamins and minerals, aids thyroid Nettle Leaf - rich in many vitamins and minerals, especially iron, so it is very useful for those suffering from chronic fatigue and exhaustion due to low iron, aids in enriching and stimulating flow of milk; good for use throughout all stages of the pregnancy Red Raspberry Leaf - tones and nourishes the uterine muscles, rich in vitamins and minerals, enriches and increases milk flow, restores the system after childbirth; good for the entire pregnancy Spirulina - high in vitamins and nutrients Bee Products - - royal jelly, propolis, bee pollen, raw honey - many nutritional benefits Always remember to eat a very healthy diet when pregnant and/or nursing! HERBS TO AVOID OR USE WITH CAUTION DURING PREGNANCY Many herbs contain steroids that can affect the baby's development during pregnancy and/or nursing. Others may be of a mild toxic type, and others may be strong uterine stimulants. Please read this section carefully and take heed. Angelica - stimulates suppressed menstruation Black Cohosh - uterine stimulant - mostly used during labor Blue Cohosh - a stronger uterine stimulant Borage oil - a uterine stimulant - use only during the last few days of pregnancy Comfrey - can cause liver problems in mother and fetus - use only briefly, externally only, for treating sprains and strains - Dong Quai - may stimulate bleeding Elder - do not use during pregnancy or lactation Fenugreek - uterine relaxant Goldenseal - too powerful an antibiotic for the developing fetus, also should not be used if nursing Henbane - highly toxic Horsetail - too high in silica for the developing fetus Licorice Root - can create water retention and/or elevated blood pressure Motherwort - stimulates suppressed menstruation Mugwort - can be a uterine stimulant Nutmeg - can cause miscarriage in large doses Pennyroyal Leaf - stimulates uterine contractions (NOTE: Pennyroyal essential oil should not be used by pregnant women at any time!) - do not handle if pregnant or nursing Rue - strong expellant Shepherd's Purse - used only for hemmorhaging during/after childbirth Uva Ursi - removes too much blood sugar during pregnancy and nursing Yarrow - uterine stimulant ENDING PREGNANCY For obvious reasons, I will state here that I do not get myself involved in the issues surrounding the termination of a pregnancy. I also usually don't give herbal advice for doing so. I appreciate the needs of the many women who find themselves in the position of needing to terminate a pregnancy for whatever reason, but choose not to make that a focus of this site dealing with medicinal herbs. Many of the herbs that could produce an abortion would have to be taken in such large doses to do so that it often is not a viable alternative, or could shut down or damage sensitive organs, and most do not have the desired affect if they are not taken within the proper time frames and at the proper dosages or combinations. There is a web site here that can give you some help as well. Tell Sister Zeus that Dr. EarthAngel sent you. Information within this article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not meant to diagnose nor treat. Seek guidance from a health care professional.