During one of the most exciting – yet uncertain – times of your postpartum life, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of postpartum products on the market. Finding tools that are both effective and safe can be a challenge. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
Women have been working with plants for thousands of years, so it’s no coincidence that we continue to look for plant partners during exciting life moments, including that vital but vulnerable time after the birth of a new life. To help you out, we’ve rounded up five herbal essentials for your postpartum bag below.
1. Soaking herbs after birth
The very first step in caring for our body after childbirth is to target vulnerable skin tissue or epithelial tissue. Although this tissue heals quickly, we want to support its healing by working with astringent herbs. Witch hazel is most popular for its cleansing and firming properties in facial sprays, but using loose-leaf witch hazel in a warm water bath or sitz bath after birth can be a game changer! Combining it with Comfrey, Yarrow and Thyme makes supporting tissue regeneration much easier. Most midwives keep jars of herbal herbs in their birth kit and have new mothers sit in freshly simmered herbal baths after giving birth. Herbs like thyme and yarrow support healthy microbial balance, while comfrey supports a healthy inflammatory response to recent tissue trauma.
Comfrey. Photo credit: Lauren Ann Nichols
2. Black Haw
Black Haw root was historically used by many Native American healers and has gained a good reputation for its use in postpartum herbal formulas for women such as AfterEase For After Birth Contractions. It belongs to the Cramp Bark root family and is used for more intense postpartum cramp situations, such as cramps after birth. Viburnum prunifolium, or Black Haw, has relaxing properties, making it useful if your uterus is cramping! It contains astringent, soothing and stabilizing plant substances for harmonizing the uterus. Many women use herbal formulas containing Black Haw for several days after giving birth because it can easily be taken in small amounts with tea, sparkling water, or still water to address cramps in the moment.
3. Goat rue
The star herb for breastfeeding support is Goat Rue! Breastfeeding can be one of the most delicate phases for new mothers, and choosing herbal partnerships can ease or speed up the flow. Goat rue is considered a galactagogue herb, meaning it supports milk production. Combining synergistically with Holy Thistle, Fenugreek, Fennel and Nettle Leaf can strengthen lactation flow and support healthy breast tissue and volume.
4. St. John’s Wort for Baby Blues
Postpartum blues can happen to any new mom. Our societies in general are not well equipped for birth practices, so it can be challenging for many of us to seek support after birth.
It is important to remember that giving birth is a remarkable achievement. Both C-sections and vaginal births can leave your body with trauma and your hormones, body and baby require different attention depending on your individual case. You may feel your hormones fluctuate and experience a range of emotions, so give yourself time. The postpartum period can last several months. Be patient with yourself and love yourself.
For moments of uncertainty or when you’re dealing with waves of emotions, consider an herbal partnership with St. John’s Wort or St. John’s Wort Hypericum perforatum. It is most popular for its uplifting properties and a star player in Postpartum Emotional Baby Blues for postpartum blues. This gentle formula can help ground your emotions with support for your liver and nervous system. Be sure to check with your doctor first as everyone’s case is different.
5. Belly binding wraps and menstrual pads
They may not seem glamorous, but sanitary pads are essential! Since I switched to completely organic cotton pads, you no longer have to worry about monthly menstrual cycles. Throw away scented synthetic, plastic-stained sanitary napkins; they don’t belong near your most sensitive area, especially after giving birth.
Muslin cloths are traditionally used to bind the abdomen after childbirth. The bandage is carefully wrapped around the abdomen and hips, providing gentle compression to hold your muscles, ligaments and pelvic floor in place. Don’t forget to buy one made from organic cotton; handmade ones Etsy are easy to obtain.
Make postpartum care a priority
Did you know that postpartum problems affect 10% to 20% of new mothers in the United States? It’s no surprise that health care systems frustrate new mothers, especially mothers from poverty-stricken communities. Reproductive health is hard enough to deal with on a normal day, and it can be even harder when wonderful blessings come into life. There is a delicate balance between using ancestral plant knowledge and modern health practices, so let’s talk about it!
We nourish our bodies for nine months with healthy foods, supplements and lifestyle changes; why not spend another six to nine months caring for ourselves in the delicate phase of postpartum?
Check out our recommendation for what new moms should have in their hospital bag after giving birth.
Lauren Ann Nichols-Sheffler attended the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism and received her certificate in Medical Herbalism. She owns it Blue yarrow herbs also known as Herbal Vice, an herbal product company that practices bioregional herbal medicine by growing plants and sourcing locally. Lauren loves educating and advocating for plant sustainability. She is the purchasing and sourcing manager for WishGarden Herbs.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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