Herbs

1. Herbs For Childbirth & Postpartum Dee Anne Domnick, CPM, MH

2. ErgotSecale cornutum • Formerly the most commonly used herbal drug used for postpartum bleeding • Ergot, Rye Ergot or Secale Cornutum is the dried sclerotium of Clamceps purpurea, developed on rye plants. • The hemostytic action of chemical substances in ergot, especially ergonovine and methylergonovine, is due to uterine contractions. • These substances are not as potent in the non-gravid uterus

3. Shepherd’s Purse Capsella bursa PastorisContains: 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 • Mild hemostyptic • High in Vitamin K

4. Use with caution! 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. The glycosides caulosaponin and caulophyllosaponin can provoke strong uterine conctractions Contains the alkaloid N-methylcystine (caulophylline) which stimulates the small intestines, lowers blood sugar levels, andincreases blood pressure Blue Cohosh Caulophylum thalictroides

5. Black CohoshCimicifugaracemosaChemical components include:steroidal terpenes, acteina, cimigoside, and 27-deoxyactein, (Berger, et al., 1988) Other constituents includetannins, salicylic acid, & an isoflavone, formononetine. • Hypotensive effect through vagal nerve activity, believed to be attributed to acteina • Antimicrobial • Anti-inflammatory • May cause miscarriage or premature birth in large doses

6. ….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

7. MotherwortLeonurus cardiaca • Uterine tonic • Anti-inflammatory & antineoplastic activity • Antiicoagulant

8. Motherwort Leonurus cardiaca Actions: Emmenagogue, anti-spasmodic, nervine, sedative • 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.

9. Angelica rootAngelica archangelica • Helps expel retained placenta

10. ArnicaArnica angustifolia • Homeopathic Arnica taken sublingually to reduce swelling of swollen tissues: • Swollen cervical lip • Bruised or swollen yoni

11. Postpartum Compress • (optional) 3 Tbsp. fresh ginger, finely cut • 2 tablespoons comfrey root, finely cut • 2 tablespoons comfrey or plantain leaf • 8 cups of water

12. Keep bowels moving Drink plenty of water Eat plenty of fruit Eat a high fiber diet Use flax seed oil Exercise 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) 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 Hemorrhoids

13. Witch Hazel • The mechanism of witch hazel astringency involves the tightening of skin proteins, which come together to form a protective covering that promotes skin healing. • used to treat damaged veins. Its ability to tighten distended veins and restore vessel tone is employed in varicose vein treatment • valuable for bruises and sprains. • action on skin lesions also protects against infection.

14. Herb Bathfor Immediate Postpartum • Comfrey leaves or root • Shepherd’s Purse leaves • Uva Ursi leaves • Sea Salt • Lavender flowers • Calendula flowers

15. ComfreySymphytum officinale L. • Helps heal tears, episiotomies, caesarian incision sites, etc. • Currently recommended for external use only

16. Calendula Calendula officinalis • Anti-inflammatory • Anti-fungal • soothing tea for gastrointestinal problems • healing wash for skin wounds • easily infused into oil for a healing salve or balm • Great for baby diaper area.

17. Echinacea • Extract can reduce the growth of Trichomonus vaginalis and reduces recurrence of Candida albicans infections (Combest and Nemecz, 1997) • 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)

18. St. John’s WortHypericum perforatum • St. John’s Wort Oil rubbed on abdomen helps reduce afterbirth pains • Studies needed to confirm safety for postpartum depression

19. Therapy for Building Blood may include Vitamin C with: • 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

20. Iron Tincture • Nettle (leaves) • Yellow Dock (root) • Dandelion (root)

21. Red Raspberry Rubus idaeus

22. Mother’s Milk Tea • Sweet fennel seeds • Anise seeds • Coriander seeds • Spearmint leaf • Lemon verbena leaf • Althea root • Blessed Thistle herb • Fenugreek seeds

23. 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.

24. YOU ROCK! Mamma Tea and InfusionMoms 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. • 2 parts chamomile flower (Matricariarecutita) • 2 parts hibiscus flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa) • 1 part rose petal (Rosa spp.) • 1/8 part lavender flower (Lavendulaofficinalis) • 1/4 part rose hips (Rosa canina) 3 parts lemon balm leaf (Melissa officinalis) • 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.