Transcript Herbs for Birth & Postpartum

Herbs
For Childbirth & Postpartum
Dee Anne Domnick, CPM, MH
Ergot
Secale cornutum
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Formerly the most commonly used herbal
drug used for postpartum bleeding
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Ergot, Rye Ergot or Secale Cornutum is
the dried sclerotium of Clamceps
purpurea, developed on rye plants.
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The hemostytic action of chemical
substances in ergot, especially ergonovine
and methylergonovine, is due to uterine
contractions.
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These substances are not as potent in the
non-gravid uterus
Shepherd’s Purse
Capsella bursa Pastoris
Contains: flavonoids, (quercetin, diosmetin, luteolin,
hesperetin), their glycosides (rutin, diosmin,
hesperidin), various amines (acetylcholine,
choline, histamine, tyramine), volatile oils
(predominantly camphor), carotenoids,
fumaric acid, sinigrin (mustard oil
glucoside), and vitamins C & K
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Mild hemostyptic
High in Vitamin K
Blue Cohosh
Caulophylum thalictroides
Use with caution!
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The glycosides caulosaponin
and caulophyllosaponin can
provoke strong uterine
conctractions
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Contains the alkaloid Nmethylcystine
(caulophylline) which
stimulates the small
intestines, lowers blood sugar
levels, and increases blood
pressure
The same chemicals that stimulate the uterus to contract could potentially damage
the heart by dangerously narrowing the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Black Cohosh
Cimicifuga racemosa
Chemical components include:
steroidal terpenes, acteina, cimigoside, and 27-deoxyactein,
(Berger, et al., 1988) Other constituents includetannins, salicylic
acid, & an isoflavone, formononetine.
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Hypotensive effect through
vagal nerve activity, believed to be
attributed to acteina
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Antimicrobial
Anti-inflammatory
May cause miscarriage or
premature birth in large
doses
….Black Cohosh
Cimicifuga racemosa
Cautions & Contraindications:
Black Cohosh may cause nausea, vomiting,
headache, and hypotension at higher dosages.
 Use with caution in individuals allergic to
salicylates.
 Contraindicated throughout most of pregnancy,
since it tends to cause uterine contractions
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Motherwort
Leonurus cardiaca
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Uterine tonic
Anti-inflammatory
& antineoplastic
activity
Antiicoagulant
Motherwort
Leonurus cardiaca
Actions: Emmenagogue, antispasmodic, nervine, sedative
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Promotes relaxation
Reduces emotional anxiety
Strengthens heart
Helps prevent hypertension
Promotes productive uterine
contractions by way of the
constituents leonurine and
stachydrine. Reduces ‘false’
or unproductive contractions.
Angelica root
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Angelica archangelica
Helps expel
retained placenta
Arnica
Arnica angustifolia
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Homeopathic Arnica taken
sublingually to reduce
swelling of swollen tissues:
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Swollen cervical lip
Bruised or swollen yoni
Postpartum Compress
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(optional) 3 Tbsp. fresh ginger, finely cut
2 tablespoons comfrey root, finely cut
2 tablespoons comfrey or plantain leaf
8 cups of water
Hemorrhoids
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Keep bowels moving
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Drink plenty of water
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Eat plenty of fruit
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Eat a high fiber diet
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Use flax seed oil
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Exercise
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Pelvic rocks
Kegel exercises
Avoid hydrocortisone creams
Avoid prolonged sitting
Nettle infusion
(drink 1 to 2 cups daily)
Hawthorne berry extract
(1/4 tsp.—1-3 times daily)
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Yellow Dock root tincture (1/2
dropperful taken orally 3 times daily)
Vitamin E (400-1000IU daily)
Vit. C with bioflavonoids (at least 500
mg. & up to 3 grams daily)
Sit or squat with knees at level higher
than hips during bowel movements
Gently replace prolapsed hemorrhoids
back inside
Witch Hazel infusion or extract, on
soft cotton material, placed in or
against anus
Homeopathic Hamamelis
Re-hydrate dry rolled oats with cold
Aloe Vera gel, and use as a pack
Witch Hazel
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The mechanism of witch hazel astringency involves the
tightening of skin proteins, which come together to form
a protective covering that promotes skin healing.
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used to treat damaged veins. Its ability to tighten
distended veins and restore vessel tone is employed in
varicose vein treatment
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valuable for bruises and sprains.
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action on skin lesions also protects against infection.
Herb Bath
for Immediate Postpartum
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Comfrey leaves or root
Shepherd’s Purse leaves
Uva Ursi leaves
Sea Salt
Lavender flowers
Calendula flowers
Comfrey
Symphytum officinale L.
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Helps heal tears,
episiotomies,
caesarian incision
sites, etc.
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Currently
recommended for
external use only
Calendula
Calendula officinalis
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Anti-inflammatory
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Anti-fungal
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soothing tea for
gastrointestinal problems
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healing wash for skin
wounds
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easily infused into oil for
a healing salve or balm
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Great for baby diaper
area.
Echinacea
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Extract can reduce the growth of
Trichomonus vaginalis and
reduces recurrence of Candida
albicans infections (Combest and
Nemecz, 1997)
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In vitro studies using the fresh
pressed juice of the aerial portion
of E. purpurea & the aqueous
extract of the roots inhibited
herpes infections. (Professional’s
Handbook of Complimentary &
Alternative Medicine)
St. John’s Wort
Hypericum perforatum
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St. John’s Wort Oil
rubbed on abdomen
helps reduce afterbirth
pains
Studies needed to
confirm safety for
postpartum depression
Therapy for Building Blood
may include Vitamin C with:
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Dark green vegetables
Sea-weed and/or blue green algae
Nettle leaf infusion
Dried apricots, raisins, prunes
Dark berry juices
Black-strap molasses
Organic iron supplements
Iron tincture
Iron Tincture
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Nettle (leaves)
Yellow Dock (root)
Dandelion (root)
Red Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
Mother’s Milk Tea
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Sweet fennel seeds
Anise seeds
Coriander seeds
Spearmint leaf
Lemon verbena leaf
Althea root
Blessed Thistle herb
Fenugreek seeds
Breastfeeding provides your baby with natural defenses against disease, but is not always as
natural for the mother as she might wish. If your milk comes slowly, try milk thistle, blessed
thistle, nettles, vervain, vitex or the seeds of anise, dill, fenugreek, fennel and vitex. Then,
when you are ready to wean your baby, drink a tea of sage or eat lentils flavored with sage to
slow your milk flow.
Nursing Tea
1 quart boiling water
1 teaspoon each vitex berries and blessed thistle
leaves
½ teaspoon each nettle leaves and vervain leaf
(optional—it may be hard to find)
¼ teaspoon each fenugreek seed and anise seed
Pour boiling water over herbs and let steep for 20
minutes. Strain out herbs. Drink 1 to 3 cups daily.
YOU ROCK! Mamma Tea and Infusion
Moms will need extra nutrition.
Let this tea be a staple in your herbal and doula practice.
The following herbs for common postpartum problems support mother in
a holistic fashion.
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2 parts chamomile flower (Matricaria recutita)
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2 parts hibiscus flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
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1 part rose petal (Rosa spp.)
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1/8 part lavender flower (Lavendula officinalis)
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1/4 part rose hips (Rosa canina) 3 parts lemon balm leaf (Melissa
officinalis)
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Make this by the gallon. It is rich in nervines, vitamins and minerals.
Mom, family and care providers can drink this throughout the day,
hot or cold.
Clients love it, as do the midwives and family members.