From the moment a woman discovers she is pregnant, a powerful, protective energy naturally flows to the forefront of her mind. Every choice made carries more weight than ever, and her and her baby’s safety is the top priority. As a midwife-founded company, we deeply understand this ‘mama bear’ mentality. From fertility to postpartum, we strive to provide safe and effective formulas that support mother and baby throughout the journey.
Herbal safety during pregnancy, lactation and postpartum
Above all, safety is the most important factor to consider when women decide which supplements and herbs to take during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there is a lot of conflicting information circulating on the internet when it comes to the safety of herbs during pregnancy and breastfeeding. So which sources can we trust and why is there so much conflicting information? One big reason is that there aren’t that many clinical studies on herbs and pregnancy. Two other reasons are: potency and frequency. These factors are very important to keep in mind when researching the safety of herbs. Many reports focus on standardized herbs, or herbs that are taken in large quantities for extended periods of time. A standardized version of an herb is usually concentrated, where the amount of an ingredient in the plant will be higher than what you would find in the less concentrated version of the whole plant. Simply put, there may be higher doses that affect the body differently than lower doses. How often and for how long someone takes an herb will also cause different outcomes. Other factors include a person’s health history, prescription medications he or she takes, and lifestyle can change the way an herbal formula communicates with a body system. All this creates inconsistent results and information.
Creating pregnancy-safe products: the WishGarden process
Not only are our pregnancy and postpartum formulas created by an herbalist and obstetrician, we also follow AHPA (American Herbal Products Association) safety guidelines. AHPA is the national trade association and voice of the herbal and natural products industry. As members, AHPA supports us by providing evidence-based resources for responsible and sustainable trading, as well as guidance on herbal safety. This helps us ensure that the amounts and directions for use of our formulas are safe and supported by scientific and historical use.
All of our formulas consist of whole plants and are usually combined with a team of other herbs; this way we don’t have to use large amounts of a single herb. All herbs we use are safe to use in the recommended dose and frequency of use. Our maternity and postpartum lines are both safe to use while a woman is breastfeeding (except our Single Herb Sage Tincture). And every product in our maternity line has been found to be safe for use during pregnancy. This way mom can reassure her!
The best route to navigating the world of natural medicine during pregnancy is to make sure you refer to a reputable source, consider potency and frequency, and focus on herbs that have a long history of being safe use, especially by midwives. Mom should keep in mind that if she has a complicated medical history or is taking prescription medications, she should always consult her doctor when deciding which natural remedies are right for her and the baby.
Alcohol safety for pregnant women and children
It may seem counterintuitive to include alcohol in a health support formula intended for children or pregnant women. However, alcohol can not only be safe, but can also be made medicinal in the right forms and appropriate amounts. Using a small amount of alcohol in our maternity and children’s lines was a conscious choice, as this ensures the strength and efficacy of the formula. Extracts made with only glycerin or water limit the profile of the constituents. WishGarden’s final products contain a minimal amount of alcohol, which has a very low nutritional level per serving (similar to what is found in kombucha and ripe bananas). You can also reduce the alcohol content further by stirring your portion in hot water or tea for a few minutes.
Rebecca Younger is passionate about herbs and women’s health. She strives to plant seeds of inspiration within her community about plant medicine and healthier ways of living. She studied herbal medicine at Herbalism Roots in Denver and is a certified Doula through the Matrona Foundation. She is the customer journey leader at 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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