9th Annual AABC Birth Institute 10/2/2015

Herbs for Childbearing

Beautiful Upstate New York my Roots

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The goal for today is to present helpful information about herbs in pregnancy, birth, & postpartum so that you may better serve women who come for midwifery care. By the end of this discussion you will be able to:

• List three herbs that ease discomforts common in pregnancy

• Describe two benefits of herbal preparations

• Explain what the difference is between at least two herbal preparations.

Honoring Our Ancestors As Wise Women

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In ancient times Midwifery & Herbalism were woven together being grounded & rooted in the earth with intuition, intelligence, & faith.

Midwifery & Herbalism Both were part of being a wise women. In fact the word ‘mid-wife’ derives from the Anglo-Saxon ‘med-wyf’ meaning wise woman.

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Healing , restorative , & nutritious benefits of herbs have been documented within the historical literature from every culture around the world.

Wise Women have gathered herbs for thousands of years by the waning & waxing of the moon to prepare for birth, nourishment, & create medicine.

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Wise women understood the rhythms of their bodies & the relationship to the magical gift of herbs. With this understanding their knowledge grew as remedies were tried, proven, & passed on.

In spite of recurrent waves of repression & witch hunts for centuries, wise women have continued their traditions & legacy throughout time.

Women of today desire to reclaim this wisdom as evidenced by the increase in the use of “natural remedies” especially in pregnancy.

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Most medical professionals do not recommend herbal remedies for pregnant women, due to the lack of FDA evaluation, & lack of knowledge.

FDA urges pregnant women not to take herbal products without talking to their health care provider or to a professional who is experienced & trained to work with herbs.

The World Health Organization

In 2010 WHO recognizes & affirms that herbal medicines & traditions worldwide have value in their perspectives & approaches to enhance health care for all.

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Science has discovered much about individual plant constituents. It has established many excellent reasons for using herbs for healing. But, like all medications, some herbs can be harmful if they are misused or taken carelessly.

Excerpt: Grow It Heal It, 2013, Christopher Hobbs Ph.D/Leslie Gardner MH

Herbs Compared to Pharmaceutical Drugs HERB DRUGS ACTIONS Often multiple Usually one using a single receptor site Often enhances body’s No drug does this! own healing ability Addresses causal factors Treats symptoms of an illness ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS Many synergistic Usually one SIDE EFFECTSMild & Few Many & can be severe ONSET OF ACTION May be slow based on Usually faster nutritional levels COST Variable Variable (you can make your own)

Excerpt from James Green’s book THE HERBAL MEDICINE-MAKER’S HANDBOOK

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The safety of herbs in pregnancy are based primarily on empirical evidence from traditional time-tested use.

Source of information: review of the literature, surveys, studies, clinical observations, & empirical data. There are very few actual studies & or clinical trials in pregnancy.

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Considerations * * Know herb efficacy, safety, & contraindications

Documentation & History is very important.

Caution in the first trimester due to fetal development.

Appropriate use of preparations because crossing the placenta is likely.

As a midwife/herbalist/MD Aviva Romm has been safely using herbs in her practice with pregnant women for over 25 years.

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Herbs are the midwife’s natural helper to promote health & wellbeing in pregnancy

Nature provides an abundance of soothing, toning, & strengthening herbs for childbearing remedies prepared for either internal or external use.

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Forms of Internal Herbal Medicines Water extracts (infusions & decoctions) Alcohol extracts Percolations (water or alcohol) Fluid extracts Syrups/oxymels/electuaries Glycerites Fermentations Vinegars Fresh juice, Food Powders (plain or encapsulation) Suppositories/boluses Douches/Enemas Essential oils/Hydrosols Steams, Smokes

Forms of External Herbal Medicines

Oil infusions Salves/Balms Evaporative concentrates Washes/Baths/Sitz Liniments Lotions Compresses/poultices Essential oils/Hydrosols Smudges

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Extractions are chemical constituents of the herb that have been pulled into a liquid solvent called a menstruum. A menstruum soaks/macerates a 28 day moon cycle influencing the liquid. During maceration the herb breaks down at a cellular level & leaches into the menstruum & is held in suspension.

40 Herbal Actions To Know Listed on pages 27-29 in THE HERBAL MEDICINE-MAKER’S HANDOOK by James Green

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Active Ingredients in Herbs • Herbs have many constituents including vitamins, minerals, proteins, & active components such as: volatile oils, tannins, mucilage, alkaloids, bitters & flavonoids.

Five Classifications of Herbs

Aromatic: a volatile oil, divided into 2 categories, the stimulant & the nervine herbs. Identified by crushing the herb. Examples peppermint, lavender, rosemary, garlic & ginger. Astringent: tannins that constrict, tighten, or tones tissue & reduces fluid discharge. Some examples comfrey, peppermint, golden seal, red raspberry, slippery elm, & crampbark. Bitter: phenolic derivatives (laxative & diuretic) alkaloids & saponins with a bitter taste such as golden seal. Mucilaginous: polysaccharides that are slippery & swells in water. Nutritive: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals

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Herbal Contraindications in Pregnancy *See full list of herbs in Bib. • TRUE Emmenagogues: pennyroyal, tansy, wormwood, angelica, & cotton root bark • Anti-histamine/CNS stimulants: ephedra (ma huang), guarana, kola nut, & osha • Alkaloids: barberry, golden seal, mandrake, blood root, broom, comfrey root, coltsfoot, & gravelroot. • Volatile oils: juniper berry, buchu, thuja, *kitchen spices • Laxative herbs due to anthroquinines: aloe*, cascara, castor, senna pods, & buckthorn • Bitters with stimulation metabolically with strong bitters: southernwood, wormwood, mugwort, barberry, celandine, *golden seal, rue, feverfew, & tansy • *aloe juice * small amounts cooking & in tea infusions * salve

Herbs to Support a Healthy Pregnancy

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Common Name: Alfalfa

Botanical Name: Medicago Sativa

Part Used: Whole herb Properties: Bitter, tonic, alterative, antipyretic, mild diuretic, proteins, vitamins A, D, E, B6, & K, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, trace minerals, chlorophyll, carotenes, & digestive enzymes. Uses: An excellent tonic tea throughout pregnancy because it is highly nutritive. Helps with digestion, prevent anemia, & hemorrhage. Moderate use has not produced side effects. 1 tablespoon/cup infuse 10min to >4 hours 3x daily

Common Name: Black Haw

Botanical Name: Viburnum prunifolium

Part Used: Bark, root bark

Decoction 2 tsp/1c 3x daily, Tincture 5- 10ml TID, 3 to 5 days Properties: Astringent, antispasmodic, nervine, tannins, salicin, mineral rich with vitamins. Uses: In combination with Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus) for miscarriage prevention as it relaxes & tones musculature. For postpartum bleeding & afterbirth pain. Can be a hypotensive, decrease fluid retention, treat diarrhea, spasms, & asthma. Short term use & not recommended throughout pregnancy. Avoid if allergic to ASA

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Burdock root (Arctium lapp)

Part used: Root & leaves

Properties: Alterative, diuretic, mucilaginous, urinary tonic, demulcent, astringent,vit/min, bacteriostatic, fungistatic

Uses: High concentration of vitamins & minerals, good taste & strengthens the uterus to prepare for childbirth. Balances blood sugar, & stimulates digestion. Great for the skin & itching. A wonderful addition to tonic teas 1 tablespoon/cup decoction, tinctures ½ tsp * variable to meet needs, salves, herbal baths.

Chamomile German (Matricaria recutita)

Parts used: The dried flower heads

Properties: Aromatic, carminative, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, Use: To encourage digestion,nervine, boost & the anti-inflammatory. immune system, & calming. As a tea or tincture, & as a topical in salves & compresses. Tea 1 tablespoon/cup steep 15 minutes 3 cups per day. Tincture: Take ½ teaspoon, three times per day. High dosages contra-indicated during pregnancy and lactation. It should not to be used when using anti-coagulant drugs. Allergic reactions have been reported in people who are also allergic to ragweed or any plants in the daisy family.

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Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Parts Used: Roots & Leaves

Properties: Bitter, hepatonic diuretic, stomachic, astringent, mucilaginous, cholagogue, galactogogue, vitamins, & minerals Uses: digestive, glandular, circulatory, liver tonic, heartburn, rheumatism, gout, eczema, nutritive due to high mineral & vitamin content. It helps with nausea & relieves a sour stomach, relieves itching skin, helps prevent gallstones, indigestion, fatigue, & toxemia. Best in pregnancy as an infusion/decotion 1 tablespoon/cup & great with Burdock root synergy.

Ginger Root (Zingiber Officinale)

Parts Used: Fresh or dried root

Properties: Aromatic, diaphoretic, stimulant, carminative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, vitamins & minerals.

Uses: digestive aide, antiemetic, anti-nausea, stimulates circulation, good for chills, diarrhea, respiratory congestion, sore throat, aches & pains. Contraindicated for gallstones Contraindicated for more than 1-2 gram/day in pregnancy. Safe for tea infusion 1 teaspoon grated/cup water, steep 15 minutes covered & drink up to 6 cups a day.

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Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

Parts Used: whole plant

Properties: Astringent, anti- inflammatory, tannin, anti- bacterial, anti-fungal, analgesic, vitamins & minerals Uses: helps settle the stomach, anti-nauseant, tones uterus to prepare for birth & reduces chances of hemorrhage in childbirth, known to help with “blues” in pregnancy & afterward. 1-2 teaspoons/cup as a tea 3 cups/day, decoction, poultice for wounds, tincture 1 dropperful in AM/PM QD

Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis)

Part Used: leaf & flowering tops

Properties: Aromatic, terpines, bitter, flavonoids, vitamins & minerals. Uses: Safe, effective, tasty, calming, relaxing, for digestion, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, can lower a fever, insomnia, depression, antioxidant, antispasmodic, helpful for hyperthyroid, dementia, alzheimer’s, ADHD, eczema, & not recommended for hypothyroid. A delicious tea often added for flavor to blends 1 tablespoon/1cup 3/day. Great in a salad & in soups.

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Mother Wort (Leonuruscardiaca)

Part Used: Leaf, flower, stem

Properties: Alkaloid, bitter, phenolic acids, emmenagogic, flavonoids, glycoside, tannin, diuretic, tonic, & antispasmodic Uses: A healing herb (wort) to mothers. A tonic to nourish & strengthen the heart, uterus, & blood vessels. It regulates blood pressure & uterine functions. It is recommended short term after first trimester then again in the last few weeks of pregnancy as an infusion or tincture. 1 tablespoon/cup 2-3x daily, or blended with other herbs to prepare for labor, tincture ½ tsp/day to increase end of pregnancy according to weight. Caution in hypothyroid.

Nettles (Urtica diocia)

Part Used: Leaf

Properties: Bitter, diuretic, hemostatic, antitumor, antiseptic, emmenogoue, expectorant, astringent, histamine, antispasmodic, flavonoid, very high in vitamins & minerals Uses: A blood purifier with it’s rich vitamin & mineral content, promoting healthy kidney function, strong vessels, helping to reduce varicosities, & decrease likelihood of hemorrhage at birth. Daily infusions up to a quart a day, juiced leaves, tincture 1 tablespoon 2x daily, or freeze-dried preparations daily.

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Oatstraw (Avena Sativa)

Part used: Green milky tops, seeds, stalks

Properties: Mucilaginous, tonic, rich in vitamins & minerals, nervine, anti-fungal

Uses: Great for calming CNS, stress, anxiety, uterine irritability, insomnia, & cramps. Great for helping to strengthen bones & teeth. Safe to drink as a tea throughout pregnancy. 1 tablespoon/cup 3-6 times a day. Tincture 1 tsp 3x daily

Partridge Berry/Squaw Vine (Mitchella Repens)

Part used: leaves & stem

Properties: alterative, tonic, saponin, mucilage, tannin, astringent, glycosides, alkaloids, enzymes, proteins, vitamins, diuretic, analgesic, minerals Uses: One of the best herbs for toning & nourishing the uterus in the last trimester, good for miscarriage, pain, calms nerves vaginal infections, diarrhea, dysuria, & kidney stones. Native Amer. used for safe, easy birth. Great for herbal baths, Tea 1 tablespoon/cup 3x or mix with blend, tincture ½ tsp 3x daily.

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Red Raspberry Leaves (Rubus Idaeus)

Part Used: leaf, stem mostly

Properties: Aromatic, pain, volatile, astringent, tannin, tonic, citric & malic acid, bitter,vit/min, mucilaginous, flavonoid, antiseptic, & antispasmotic Uses: Nourishes & tones the uterus for childbirth, strengthens urinary system, analgesic, rich in vitamins & minerals, high in bioavailable chelated iron, helps prevent spotting, helps build healthy connective tissue, relieves nausea, safe & great to blend with other herbs & drink as a tea throughout pregnancy. 1 tablespoon/cup steep at least 10 mins 3 cups/day.

Rose Hips (Rosa canina)

Part used: Seeds

Properties: Astringent, antiseptic, antispasmodic, vitamins & minerals, bitter, mucilaginous, & flavonoids

Uses: High in vitamin C & strengthens capillary fragility & connective tissue, antioxidant, great for reducing anxiety, infections, diarrhea, & inflammation. A wonderful addition to pregnancy tonic tea 1 tablespoon/cup steep 10 mins or greater at least 3 x daily

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Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Part used: leaf & stem

Properties: Astringent, tannin, alkaloid, volatile, flavonoids, vit/minerals, protein, amines, emmenagogue, Uses: Great for postpartum bleeding prevention with a tea blend & with a tincture if hemorrhaging. Wonderful hemostatic properties, for kidneys bladder infection, promotes healing, helps eczema, rashes, antiseptic also. Tea 1 tablespoon/cup. Tincture ½ tsp repeat 3x

How can we use this information to help in Childbearing?

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Pregnant Tummy Tamer Eases nausea, heartburn, upset stomach & indigestion.

100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENTS: Lemon balm, dandelion, peppermint, papaya leaf, ginger root, catnip, cardamom, anise & fennel. Pregnancy Tonic Tea To nourish & support pregnancy

100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENTS: Nettles, Red Raspberry, Oatstraw, Alfalfa, Burdock Root, Spearmint, Lemon Balm, Rosehips, Peppermint, Red Clover, & Fennel.

This Tea is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease. It has not been evaluated by The Food & Drug Administration. It is recommended to consult with your Midwife or Physician prior to drinking tea.

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Directions: Add 1-2 teaspoons per cup of boiled water in a tea kettle & steep in a tea pot at least 10 minutes. To steep longer than 4 hours is an infusion for more nutritional benefits.

Serene Pregnancy Tea To calm, relax , & nourish the mother-to-be. Ingredients: Certified organic chamomile, spearmint, nettles, lemon verbana, red raspberry, catnip, & fennel.

Last Few Weeks Pregnancy Tonic Tea To nourish & prepare for birth. Ingredients: Certified organic red raspberry, oatsraw, nettles, burdock root, lady’s mantle, partridgeberry, lemon verbana, dandelion, rosehips, peppermint, pau d arco, & fennel.

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Peaceful Postpartum To provide nourishment & a peaceful postpartum

100% certified organic ingredients: nettles, dandelion, lady’s mantle, lemon balm, catnip, shepherds purse, black haw, cramp bark, spearmint, & fennel.

Mama’s Magnificent Milk Tea

Certified Organic Alfalfa, oatstraw, blessed thistle, nettles, spearment, marshmallow, catnip, anise, fennel, borage, fenugreek, goat’s rue, hops, vitex, peppermint, & stevia,.

So Many Remedies For So Many Things Infused oils for massage, for perineum, varicose veins

Salves for belly, nipples, pp perineum, boo boo’s, itches, tender tushies… Hydrosols for personal care, facial mist, labor mist, sore bottoms mist

Essential Oil Blends

Compresses

Herbal Bath/Hydrotherapy

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Respiratory Rub A Respiratory Remedy Aromatherapeutic Blend to calm, sooth & heal. Apply to chest, under nose, & soles of feet 100% Organic Ingredients: Calendula, Comfrey, Plantain, Arnica Montana, Rosehips, Burdock & Marshmallow Roots infused into cold pressed Olive & Apricot Oils with 100% Pure EO Lavender, Peppermint, Frankincense, Eucalyptus, Globulus, Radiata, Dives, Sandalwood, Fir Needle Balsam SAFE IN PREGNANCY & FOR CHILDREN

"The Way to Health is to Have an Aromatic Bath & A Scented Massage Every Day." - Hippocrates, 500 B.C.

V.V. Soothing Bath Salts Dead Sea, & Himalayan Salts & a blend of 100% Pure Organic Essential Oils of: Frankinsense, Cypress, German Chamomile, & Helichrysum. Directions for Use: Add ½ cup to bath water Relax & enjoy! Soak 15 minutes

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Mama’s Bottom Soother Sitz Bath

Dead Sea Salts & Himalayan Salts with 100% Pure Organic Lavender Essential Oil & an organic herbal blend of Comfrey, Chamomile, Shepherds Purse, Witch Hazel Leaf & Root, Sage, Calendula, Uva Ursi, Plantain, Lavender, & Garlic.

Herbs are placed in 3 tea bags to soothe tissue irritation, comfort sore muscles, & reduce swelling associated with birth.

Directions for Use: Add teabag to 8 cups of boiled water & steep for at least 15 minutes. Add tea to bath water with half cup salts relax & enjoy for 10 minutes while sipping Peaceful Postpartum Tea. Each tea bag can be used twice for 6 baths.

Hops one of my favorites from my brother in NY

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Let’s continue to pass the legacy on

Bear is the herbalist in the animal kingdom!

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Happy Autumn

References Armstrong, D. (2001). Herbs that work: The scientific evidence of their healing powers. Berkeley, CA: Ulysses Press. Buhner, S. H. (2012). Herbal antibiotics: Natural alternatives for treating drug-resistant bacteria. North Adams, MA: Storey Pub. Dog, T. L., & Micozzi, M. S. (2005). Women's health in complementary and integrative medicine: A clinical guide. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. Foster, S. (1996). Herbs for your health: A handy guide for knowing and using 50 common herbs. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press. Gallo, M. (2000). Pregnancy Outcome Following Gestational Exposure to Echinacea: A Prospective Controlled Study. Archives of Internal Medicine, 160(20), 3141-3143. doi: 10.1001/archinte.160.20.3141

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Gladstar, R. (1993). Herbal healing for women: Simple home remedies for women of all ages. New York: Simon & Schuster. Gladstar, R. (2001). Rosemary Gladstar's family herbal: A guide to living life with energy, health, and vitality. North Adams, MA: Storey Books. Hobbs, C. (2013). Grow It Heal It: Easy and Amazing Herbal Remedies from Your Garden or Windowsill. Rodale Press, Incorporated. Morgenstern, K. (1997). Sacred Earth- Alternative Medicine: Herbs for Pregnancy and Childbirth part I. Herb Quarterly. Retrieved September 19, 2014, from http:/ /www.sacredearth.com/ethnobotany/remedies/childbirth1.php Pedersen, M. (1998). Nutritional herbology: A reference guide to herbs. Warsaw, IN: Wendell W. Whitman.

Romm, A. J. (2003). The natural pregnancy book: Herbs, nutrition, and other holistic choices. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts. Smith, E. (1999). Therapeutic herb manual: A guide to the safe and effective use of liquid herbal extracts. Williams, Or. (P.O. Box 116, Williams 97544): E. Smith. Weed, S. S. (1985). Wise woman herbal for the childbearing year. Woodstock, NY: Ash Tree Pub. Westfall, R. E. (2001). Herbal medicine in pregnancy and childbirth. Advances in Therapy, 18(1), 47-55. doi: 10.1007/BF02850250

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