NOURISH YOUR BODY
Wise women believe that most of the problems of pregnancy can be prevented
by attention to nutrition. Morning sickness and mood swings are connected
to low blood sugar; backaches and severe labor pains often result from
insufficient calcium; varicose veins, hemorrhoids, constipation, skin
discoloration and anemia are evidence of lack of specific nutrients;
preeclampsia, the most severe problem of pregnancy, is a form of acute
malnutrition. Excellent nutrition includes pure water, controlled breath,
abundant light, loving and respectful relationships, beauty and harmony
in daily life, joyous thoughts and vital foodstuffs.
During pregnancy nutrients are required to create the cells needed to
form two extra pounds of uterine muscle, the nerves, bones, organs,
muscles, glands and skin of the fetus, several pounds of amniotic fluid,
a placenta and a 50 percent increase in blood volume. In addition, extra
kidney and liver cells are needed to process the waste of' two beings
instead of one.
Wild foods and organically grown produce, grains and herbs are the best
source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients needed during pregnancy.
All the better if the expectant mother can get out and gather her own
herbs: stretching, bending, breathing, moving, touching the earth, taking
time to talk with the plants and to open herself to their spiritual
world.
TONICS DURING PREGNANCY
Wise women have recommended herbal tonics for childbearing for thousands
of years. These herbs are empirically safe and notably effective. Tonic
herbs improve general health by balancing and sustaining energy flow
and focus in the body.
Tonics allay annoyances and prevent major problems. They can boost
the supply of vital minerals and vitamins, increase energy and improve
uterine tone. Some uterine tonics are contraindicated during pregnancy
or are restricted to the last few weeks of pregnancy.
The tonics indicated for pregnancy need to be used regularly; a tonic
is to the cells much as exercise is to the muscles: not much use when
done erratically. Of course even occasional use of tonics during pregnancy
will be of benefit, since they do contain nourishing factors. Better
benefit will come from using them 5 times a week or more.
Some simple suggestions to get into the habit of' using tonics: pregnant
women could replace the morning cup of coffee with a rich Nettle infusion.
Or she could brew up some raspberry leaf tea and put it in the refrigerator
to drink instead of soda, wine, or beer. Wild greens can be added to
the diet. Women in many cultures have used the following herbs for centuries
to have a healthier pregnancy.
RED RASPBERRY LEAVES (Rubus spp.)
Brewed as a tea or as an infusion, raspberry is the best known, most
widely used, and safest of all uterine and pregnancy tonic herbs. It
contains fragrine, an alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the
pelvic region, including the uterus itself.
Most of the benefits ascribed to regular use of Raspberry tea through
pregnancy are traced to the nourishing source of vitamins and minerals
found in this plant and to the strengthening power of fragrine - an
alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, including
the uterus itself. Of special note are the rich concentration of vitamin
C, the presence of vitamin E and the easily assimilated calcium and
iron. Raspberry leaves also contain vitamins A and B complex and many
minerals, including phosphorous and potassium.
The benefits of drinking a raspberry leaf brew before and throughout
pregnancy include:
~ Increasing fertility in both men and women. Raspberry leaf is an
excellent fertility herb when combined with Red Clover.
~ Preventing miscarriage and hemorrhage. Raspberry leaf tones the uterus
and helps prevent miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage from a relaxed
or atonic uterus.
~ Easing of morning sickness. Many attest to raspberry leaves' gentle
relief of nausea and stomach distress throughout pregnancy.
~ Reducing pain during labor and after birth. By toning the muscles
used during labor and delivery, Raspberry leaf eliminates many of the
reasons for a painful delivery and prolonged recovery. It does not,
however, counter the pain of pelvic dilation.
~ Assisting in the production of plentiful breast milk. The high mineral
content of Raspberry leaf assist in milk production, but its astringency
may counter that for some women.
~ Providing a safe and speedy pariuntion. Raspberry leaf works to encourage
the uterus to let go and function without tension. It does not strengthen
contractions, but does allow the contracting uterus to work more effective
and so may make the birth easier and faster.
NETTLE LEAVES (Urtica Diotca)
Less well known as a pregnancy ionic but deserving a kinder reputation
and use, Urtica is one of the finest nourishing tonics known. It is
reputed to have more chlorophyll than any other herb. The list of vitamins
and minerals in this herb includes nearly every one known to necessary
for human health and growth.
Vitamins A, C, D and K, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron and sulphur
are particularly abundant in nettles. The infusion is a dark green color
approaching black. The taste is deep and rich. If you are blessed with
a nettle patch near you, use the fresh plant as a pot herb in the spring.
Some pregnant women alternate weeks of nettle and raspberry brews;
others drink raspberry until the last month and then switch to nettles
to insure large amounts of vitamin K in the blood before birth.
The benefits of drinking nettle infusion before and throughout pregnancy
include:
~ Aiding the kidneys. Nettle infusions were instrumental in rebuilding
the kidneys of a woman who was told she would have to be put on a dialysis
machine. Since the kidneys must cleanse 150 percent of the normal blood
supply for most of the pregnancy, nettle's ability to nourish and strengthen
them is of major importance. Any accumulation of minerals in the kidneys,
such as gravel or stones, is gently loosened, dissolved and eliminated
by the consistent use of nettle infusions.
~ Increasing fertility in women and men.
~ Nourishing mother and fetus.
~ Easing leg cramps and other spasms.
~ Diminishing pain during and after birth. The high calcium content,
which is readily assimilated, helps diminish muscle pains in the uterus,
in the legs and elsewhere.
~ Preventing hemorrhage after birth. Nettle is a superb source of
vitamin K, and increases available hemoglobin, both of which decrease
the likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. Fresh Nettle Juice, in teaspoon
doses, slows postpartum bleeding.
~ Reducing hemorrhoids. Nettle's mild astringency and general nourishing
action tightens and strengthens blood vessels, helps maintain arterial
elasticity and improves venous resilience.
~ Increasing the richness and amount of breast milk.
CALCIUM
Of course calcium is a mineral, not an herbal tonic, but it is so important
during pregnancy and throughout our woman lives that I consider it a
tonic. Lack of adequate calcium during pregnancy is associated with
muscle cramps, backache, high blood pressure, intense labor and afterbirth
pains, osteoporosis, tooth problems, and preeclampsia.
Calcium assimilation is governed by exercise, stress, acidity during
digestion, availability of' Vitamin C, A and especially D, and availability
of magnesium and phosphorous in the body and the diet. Getting 1000
to 2000 mg of calcium every day is not hard with the help of Wise Woman
herbs:
The best
food sources of calcium are fish dairy products, but there is controversy
about the assimilability of calcium from pasteurized, homogenized milk.
My preferred food sources include goal milk and goat cheese, salmon,
sardines, mackerel, seaweed (especially kelp), sesame salt (gomasio),
tahini and dark leafy greens such as turnip tops, beet greens and kale.
There
are roughly 2(X) grams of calcium in two ounces of nuts (excluding peanuts),
one ounce of dried seaweed, two ounces of carob powder, one ounce of
cheese, half a cup of cooked greens, (kale, collards and especially
dandelion) half a cup of milk, three eggs, four ounces of fish, or one
tablespoon of molasses.
Most wild
greens are exceptionally rich in calcium arid the factors need for calcium
absorption and use. Lambs quarters, mallow, galinsoga, shepherd's purse,
knotweed, bidens, amaranth and dandelion leaves all supply more calcium
per 100 grams than does milk.
Bones
soaked in apple cider vinegar release their calcium into the acidic
vinegar. A tablespoon of this vinegar in a glass of water supplies needed
calcium and relieves morning sickness too.
Many fruits
are rich in calcium (though not as rich as the above foods). Dried dates,
figs raisins, prunes, papaya and elderberries are the best source.
Raspberry
leaf infusion contains calcium in its most assimilable form. Assimilation
is further enhanced by the presence of phosphorous and vitamins A and
C in the raspberry leaves.
Fresh
parsley and watercress are available in most grocery stores year round.
They are both good sources of many minerals and vitamins, including
calcium, phosphorous, vitamin A and vitamin C.
Nettle
Infusion supplies calcium and phosphorous, vitamin A and the vital vitamin
D, in a readily assimilable form.
Foods that
are thought to interfere with absorption of calcium should be avoided:
spinach, chocolate, rhubarb and brewer's yeast.
Do not use
bone meal or oyster shell tablets as sources of supplemental calcium.
They have been found to be high in lead, mercury, cadmium and other
toxic metals.
TONICS TO USE WITH CAUTION
Squaw Vine (Mitchella repens), Blue Cohosh (Caulophyflum
thalicotroides), and Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
all should be avoided until the last 4 to
6 weeks of pregnancy. Even then, they should be used only
when indicated, and under the supervision of someone experienced in
their use. Some midwives report that the Cohoshes must be used together
(not interchangeably). Others have reported premature labor when Blue
Cohosh was taken in combination with Pennyroyal.False Unicorn Root
(Helonias dioica), Dong Quai (Angelica spp.) and
PN6 capsules are considered too strong for use during pregnancy.
Some people feel that Comfrey is not safe to use during pregnancy.
Some people feel comfrey is not safe to use internally at all. I disagree.
The roots of comfrey do contain compounds
that are best avoided during pregnancy. (As do all parts
of the wild plant.) In fact, I rarely use comfrey root because of the
possibility of liver congestion, and I strongly caution those who have
had hepatitis, chemotherapy, or alcohol problems to strictly avoid comfrey
root. Yet even these people can benefit from use of comfrey leaf infusions.
I harvest the flowering stalks when they are fully formed; and I am
careful to use the cultivated garden comfrey, which grows very tall
and has purplish, pinkish, bluish flowers. I avoid wild comfrey which
stays rather small, even when flowering, and has cream-colored, white,
or yellowish flowers.
* Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castii) is another important herbal
ally for women over forty who desire a child. It has been used in Africa
and parts of Europe for several thousand years to discourage the male
libido. In women, the effects seem to be the opposite! It may also be
a fertility enhancer. Most importantly, chaste tree is a strengthening
tonic for the pituitary gland, the master control gland for the endocrine
system. Daily use of the tincture of the berries (1 dropperful/1 ml
2-3 times daily) had been shown to increase progesterone--the hormone
of pregnancy--and luteinizing hormone--which promotes conception. Because
it can lower prolactin levels, chaste tree
is best discontinues during the last trimester of pregnancy.
* Dong quai (Angelica
sinensis) is not recommended
for women over forty. In general, this herb promotes
blood flow to the uterus and surrounding tissues. This can promote the
growth of fibroids and increase the risk of post-partum hemorrhage.
Ginger is a better warming tonic; motherwort is better at relieving
pain; and raspberry is better at preparing the uterus for birth.
For more Childbearing wisdom read Susun Weed's book: