herbal pregnancy For Women

Few women, however, understand that vitamin/mineral supplements are more drug-like than food-like. The remedies of wise women, or "old wives," have persisted for centuries, passed from woman to woman. A strong infusion of dried raspberry leaves increases fertility, tonifies the uterus, aids in easy birthing, helps prevent miscarriage, alleviates morning sickness, reduces muscle/leg cramps and backache, and counters fatigue.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Nourishing the liver is critical during pregnancy. Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare)

Anise Seed (Pimpinella anisum)

Dill Seed (Anethum graveolens)

Caraway Seed (Carum carvi)

Coriander Seed (Coriandrum sativum)
Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)
Calcium
Lack of adequate calcium during pregnancy can cause muscle cramps, backache, high blood pressure, intense labor pains, severe afterbirth pains, loss of teeth, and pre-eclampsia. For optimum health of mother and child, eat plenty of foods rich in calcium and other minerals.
The calcium found in foods and herbs is metabolized by the body far more effectively than the calcium in pills. Getting 1500 to 2000 milligrams of nourishing calcium salts every day is not hard with the help of Wise Woman ways.
Many wild greens are exceptionally rich in calcium and other mineral salts. Herbal teas and tinctures contain little or no calcium salts. For mineral richness, make herbal infusions by steeping one ounce of dried herb (such as raspberry, nettle, or red clover) overnight in a quart of boiling water. A cup of herbal infusion can have 150-300 milligrams of calcium salts. A tablespoon of medicinal herbal vinegar can contain 75-150 milligrams of calcium salts.
Kale, collards, mustard greens, oriental greens, broccoli de rape, turnip greens, even cabbage supply 100-250 milligrams of calcium salts per half-cup serving.
Fresh dairy products are the best place to get mineral salts, especially calcium, but there is controversy about the assimilability of calcium from pasteurized milk. I absolutely avoid dried milk powder, skim milk powder, pectin, and other thickeners.
HERBS WOMEN MAY WISH TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY AND WHILE LACTATING
Agave and Yucca (Agave species): contain large quantities of irritating saponins

Aloes (Aloe species): purging cathartic

Birthroot (Trillium species): contains oxytocin

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa): may irritate the uterus

Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides): contains oxytocin

Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica, Rhamnus frangula): purging cathartic

Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana): purging cathartic

Castor oil (Ricinus communis): purging cathartic

Comfrey (Symphytum uplandica): alkaloids in roots are dangerous to the liver; leaves are safe to use

Cotton root bark (Gossypium harbaceum): contains oxytocin

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis): contains coumarins which may irritate uterus and liver

Ephedra (all species): increases blood pressure; may cause heart palpitations, insomnia, headaches

Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis): used by midwives to initiate labor

Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium): may cause headaches, irritability, insomnia

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis): contains irritating alkaloids which stress liver and kidneys

Juniper berries (Juniperus communis): very harsh on the kidneys

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): increases blood pressure; large doses can cause heart failure, headache, lethargy, water retention, and excessive excretion of potassium

Ma-huang (another name for ephedra)

Mistletoe (Viscum album): large doses can have detrimental effects on the heart

Mistletoe, American (Phoradendron flavescens): raises blood pressure, causes uterine contractions

Rue (Ruta graveolens): contains essential oils that can damage the kidneys and liver

Senna (Cassia senna): potent purging cathartic

Thuja (Thuja occidentalis): contains essential oils that can damage the kidneys and liver

Turkey rhubarb (Rheum palmatum): purgative; may cause uterine contractions

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium): essential oils can adversely affect brain
Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale): also known as saffron; large doses can cause miscarriage

Basil (Basilicum species): see mints

Bearberry (Berberis vulgaris): bark contains similar alkaloids to goldenseal; berries and leaves OK

Catnip (Nepeta cataria): see mints

Flax seeds (Linum usitatissimum): large doses may stimulate uterine contractions

Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium): contains essential oils that can damage liver and kidneys

Ground ivy (Hedeoma hederacea): see mints

Mints - such as basil, catnip, rosemary, thyme, savory, peppermint, oregano, ground ivy, sage, and spearmint - contain essential oils that, used internally (or extracted into a tincture) may harm the kidneys and liver; the infusion, taken in large enough quantity, may stimulate uterine contractions

Mugwort/Cronewort (Artemisia vulgaris): used to help bring on labor

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans): a large dose of this spice contains the essential oils that could adversely affect the brain, liver, and kidneys

Oregano (Oreganum species ): see mints

Osha (Ligusticum porterii): may irritate the uterus

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum): a well-known, and quite effective, abortifacient

Poke root (Phytolacca americana): large dose (more than 4 drops) may stress kidneys

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium or Hedeoma pulegiodes): essential oil may harm kidneys and liver; also see mints

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): see mints

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): see mints

Sage (Salvia officinalis): see mints

Savory (Satureja hortensis): see mints

Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum): essential oils, similar to those in wormwood, are easily extracted into tinctures and can adversely affect the brain

Spearmint (Mentha spicata): see mints

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare): essential oils in tincture may damage kidneys and liver

Thyme (Thymus species): see mints

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