HerbsFor Childbirth & Postpartum

Dee Anne Domnick, CPM, MH

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

Mild hemostyptic High in Vitamin K

Shepherd’s Purse Capsella bursa Pastoris

Contains: 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

Blue Cohosh Caulophylum thalictroides

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, and increases blood pressure

Black CohoshCimicifuga racemosa

Chemical 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

…….Black Cohosh .Black Cohosh Cimicifuga Cimicifuga racemosaracemosa

Cautions & Contraindications:Cautions & Contraindications:

Black Cohosh may cause nausea, vomiting, Black Cohosh may cause nausea, vomiting, headache, and hypotension at higher headache, and hypotension at higher dosages. dosages.

Use with caution in individuals allergic to Use with caution in individuals allergic to salicylates. salicylates.

Contraindicated throughout most of Contraindicated throughout most of pregnancy, since it tends to cause uterine pregnancy, since it tends to cause uterine contractionscontractions

MotherwortLeonurus cardiaca

Uterine tonic Anti-inflammatory

& antineoplastic activity

Antiicoagulant

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.

Angelica root Angelica archangelica

Helps expel

retained placenta

ArnicaArnica angustifolia

Homeopathic Arnica taken sublingually to reduce swelling of swollen tissues: Swollen cervical lip Bruised or swollen yoni

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

Hemorrhoids 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

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.

Herb Bathfor Immediate Postpartum

Comfrey leaves or root Shepherd’s Purse leaves Uva Ursi leaves Sea Salt Lavender flowers Calendula flowers

ComfreySymphytum officinale L.

Helps heal tears, episiotomies, caesarian incision sites, etc.

Currently recommended for external use only

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.

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)

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

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

Iron Tincture

Nettle (leaves) Yellow Dock (root) Dandelion (root)

Red Raspberry Rubus idaeus

Mother’s Milk Tea

Sweet fennel seeds Anise seeds Coriander seeds Spearmint leaf Lemon verbena leaf Althea root Blessed Thistle herb Fenugreek seeds

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 Tea1 quart boiling water1 teaspoon each vitex berries and blessed thistle leaves½ 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.

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 (Matricaria recutita)2 parts hibiscus flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa)1 part rose petal (Rosa spp.)1/8 part lavender flower (Lavendula officinalis)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.