Giving birth is a phenomenon of life. The power of a woman, in all her creative prowess, is clearly seen and recognized in this moment. The journey to motherhood is long, mind-blowing, hard, and worth every ounce of pain and joy. A mother provides life through her womb, nourishes with the precious flow of milk, and exerts endless efforts of generosity with every breath to sustain and grow her child in this world. A heroic calling.
The amazing transformations a woman’s body undergoes during pregnancy and beyond are powerfully life-changing. These changes are nothing short of miraculous! And they take time to happen. She will need support from others to become a mother. Her body and mind will require care and guidance to complete the postpartum process of physical and life transitions.
Cyclic contractions, which are sometimes more uncomfortable than those at birth, happen quickly and cause the uterus to shrink. If the birth process was experienced by cesarean section, major surgery may occur, setting limits on care and averting stigma. At the same time, at the beginning of breastfeeding, the new mother learns how to adapt to providing life milk, regardless of whether she chooses to breastfeed. Her organs work overtime to handle the influx of hormones that are no longer needed to maintain a pregnancy. Her nervous system adapts to withstand interrupted sleep patterns as she builds a sacred bond with her child. Cascades of healing arise from the physical trauma left behind by childbirth, repairing perineal tears or cuts, and the over-stretching of her tissues and skin.
Life after childbirth – with its new responsibilities and recovery time – is a journey of transitions.
Postpartum support from the plant kingdom
For thousands of years, plants have been trusted friends of new mothers, allowing them to evolve into motherhood fully nourished, soothed and healed. When postpartum proceeds without judgment (from ourselves or others), the new mother knows she is supported and held, just as she is supporting and holding the new life she has birthed.
During this sacred transition from pregnancy to motherhood, herbal remedies combine to powerfully and gently vitalize, heal and nourish the woman. They provide nerves, tonics and hormonal support, giving her body nourishment to rebuild, strength to raise her newborn and bringing balance to her ever-changing energy state.
Like waves in an ocean, she will rise on the tides of emotions and sometimes crash along the shores of hardship. Periods of comfort and tranquility are essential, but they can be difficult to achieve due to negative emotions – these are all waves in this new sea of being, along with joy, contentment and anticipation.
The lifeguard’s whistle sounds!
Art credit: GeestYSol
As a new mother moves from profound love and fulfillment to anxiety and exhaustion, plants become the buoy on which she sails safely to land. Hawthorn, St. John’s wort, feverfew, passion flower, dandelion root, calendula, lady’s mantle, black hawthorn, yarrow, vitex, fennel, burdock, damiana, catnip, blessed thistle, sarsaparilla, hops, echinacea, sage, marshmallow root and dozens more come to the rescue.
The mother needs her village as much as her newborn baby needs milk. The administrators of plant medicine act as guides for the miracle passage and prepare teas, sitz baths, compresses, balms, tinctures and meals. This respected tradition of midwives, doulas, childbirth experts, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and daughters creates an endless chain of reciprocity from plant to person and back again.
Our roots at WishGarden Herbs originated from a midwife who provided formula for women beginning the journey of transition to motherhood. Over the decades, these remedies have remained tried and true friends, and long may they remain so!
Meet the WishGarden Herbs Postpartum Rescue Team
Support after birth: AfterEase for contractions after birth
Herbal team:
Crampbark, black lizard, yarrow antennae, feverfew antennae
Supporting perineal healing: sitz bath after birth
Herbal team: Uva ursi leaf, yarrow antennae, sage leaf, comfrey root, comfrey leaf, witch hazel leaf, sea salt, plantain leaf
Postpartum mood support: postpartum emotional baby blues
Herbal team: Passionflower, Feverfew, Dandelion, Black cohosh
Support for hormonal rebalancing: ReBalance after birth Hormonal
Herbal team: black lizard, calendula flower, lady’s mantle antennae, feverfew antennae, St. John’s wort antennae, vitex berry, burdock root, yarrow antennae
Dawn Amber Miller has apprenticed and studied in the United States of America and has received certifications in traditional and medical herbalism from the Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism, the Commonwealth Center for Holistic Herbalism, and the Hawthorn Institute. A passionate steward of nature’s sacred realm, she moves with the wildflowers, tending the rituals of wildcrafting with heart and hand. She is currently a Customer Journey Representative 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.
Art credit function: Tess Emily Rodriguez
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